Panasci Winner Named; Good Neighbor Fund Awards First Grants

Check out what happened in the WNY Startup Community this week and what you can look forward to next week.

Weekly Recap (and Catch-Up!)

April 1-16, 2023

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The Weekly Recap team had off last week for some much deserved rest and relaxation. We're back this week with two weeks of startup community updates!

Looking for something entrepreneurial to do this week? Why don't you come out to...

• Buffalo Startup Coffee - Tuesday, April 18 from 7:30-9am at HANSA
• Demystifying Raising Capital from Angels - Tuesday, April 18 from 2-3pm Online

Subscribe here for more events!

BootSector in the Community

Western New York Student2Biz Challenge

BootSector was proud to power the WNY Student2Biz challenge, a regional competition with Western New York's 21 colleges and universities. Over a dozen fantastic teams pitched their innovations to a panel of volunteer judges (thank you Jack McGowan →, Sharon Cryan (404 Link Removed) , and Sonya Tereke (404 Link Removed) )!

The winners are moving on to the state-wide competition later this year. Special thanks to Blackstone Launchpad at UB (404 Link Removed)and the Western New York Incubator Network for partnering with BootSector to make this great event happen!

Good Neighbor Fund's First Grants

Congratulations to the following companies on being the first micro-grant award winners from Good Neighbor Fund →

• Max and Jovany of Sport of Life (Buffalo)
• Lauren Waldroff of Beloved (Buffalo)
• Tracy Csavina of Sustainably Rooted (Denver)

You can read more about these companies on the Good Neighbor Fund portfolio page

Help Grow Our Startup Community

BootSector's purpose is to grow Western New York's Startup Community. Here's two ways you can help us this week.

Last Chance - Register for Panasci!

Good luck to all the teams and thanks to all the mentors ! This is going to be a fantastic event and we're looking forward to the celebration! RSVP to Attend Panasci! (404 Link Removed)

Buffalo Bridge

If you're new to Western New York or are curious about our growing startup scene, you should be reading Buffalo Bridge. Click below to subscribe. Sign up for Buffalo Bridge

Celebrate Our Startup Community

Community Shoutouts!

There's been so much activity these past two weeks that we can't list it all! Here's a few highlights:

• Juweria Dahir (404 Link Removed) sat down with Matt Enstice (404 Link Removed)to talk about innovation and entrepreneurship in Buffalo - This Week at BNMC
• Harshita Girase (404 Link Removed)is launching a podcast called Founders Without Borders to highlight and celebrate the journeys of immigrant founders who are building generational businesses.
• 43Northis re-launching a podcast series called Latitude Spring is podcast season!
• Daniel Chan (404 Link Removed)is joining Good Neighbor Fund to lead their Student Ambassador program
• Congratulations to the ten startups recognized at this year's Inno Fire Awards (404 Link Removed)

Startups in the News!

Our Western New York Startups are in the news! Check out these articles:

• Zizo Technologieswins Buffalo Inno Madness for second year in a row (404 Link Removed)
• eRMG (404 Link Removed) is making moves! They're officially a Launch NY client company and are staffing up (404 Link Removed)
• Top Seedzwon Best Savory or Salty Snack at the Nexty Awards (404 Link Removed)
• Ognomyleverages partnerships to grow nationally (404 Link Removed)
• Agapeis launching a new version of its app and growing business products (404 Link Removed)
• Garwood Medicalis busy researching new and exciting projects (404 Link Removed)
• Big Wheelbarrow (404 Link Removed) 's secret to rapid growth in Buffalo (404 Link Removed)
• Ellicottville Greensis growing through its brand new partnership model (404 Link Removed)
• BetterMynd (404 Link Removed) is focusing on higher education mental health (404 Link Removed)
• Braidbabesis live in three cities and is looking to tie up more (404 Link Removed)
• The Buffalo Startup Sceneenters a new chapter according to Colligan Law

Startup Funding

This week we're going to list some news, tips, tricks, and strategies that can help you secure startup funding.

• How to Write a Great Investor Update by Michael Houck
• Midjourney v4/v5 guide for beginners by Midjourney
• State of Crypto Report (404 Link Removed)by a16z
• Cap table 101 by Carta (404 Link Removed) (H/T to Good Neighbor Fund for this link)
• Restaurants need incubators too - check out what the YWCA and WEDI are doing about it (404 Link Removed)

Got a tip for the community? Share it with BootSector!

Startup Jobs

Check out these openings and let us know if you have more to add! Want to skip the line? Post your openings on the WNY Community Slack → !

From our friends at Buffalo Inno (404 Link Removed) :

• Odoo - Software Engineer Intern
• Jerry - Senior Associate, Business Operations
• E Source - Senior Analyst, Market Research - REMOTE
• ACV Auctions - Transportation Account Manager
• Viridi Parente - Electrical Engineer

From our friends at 43North :

• BetterMynd - Operations Manager

From our friends at the University at Buffalo:

• Business & Entrepreneur Partnerships - Multiple Positions (404 Link Removed)

Get your openings posted here!

Parting Thoughts

Show up

It is often said that 95% of life is just showing up. Simple things. Show up to meetings on time. Show up to that event you promised to attend. Show up to your friend's talk, even if it's a 5 minute pitch at the end.

Even better, show up when you haven't promised to do so. Being reliable means that when a member of the community needs support, one does not even have to ask or wonder if you'll show. Your presence is valuable and makes an impact.

Jordan Walbesser Executive Director, BootSector Share this mailing list!