December 5, 2023
AireXpert Closes $3MM Seed Round; GNF Launches FounderGPT
AireXpert closes a $3MM seed, United Airlines as target customer. Good Neighbor Fund launches FounderGPT for WNY founders. Fashion House meets BPS students.
Here's what's happening in the WNY Startup Community, brought to you by BootSector.
BootSector's Goal
BootSector is an all-volunteer, grassroots non-profit that wants to make WNY the best startup community in the U.S.
BootSector's Gameplan
BootSector provides infrastructure, events, and places to connect in order to amplify the impact of WNY startup community leaders.
Buffalo Fashion House x Buffalo Public Schools
Starting the path of entrepreneurship early! https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7135360272470347776/
This week, Buffalo Fashion House (404 Link Removed) (Powered by BootSector) sat down with South Park's High School's Student Leadership Network. BFH shared their message → about entrepreneurship in the fashion/design and arts space. Nice work paving the way to a bigger and better WNY Startup Community!
Good Neighbor Fund - Buffalo LP Meetup
Giving back one microgrant at a time. And having fun at the same time. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7135360272470347776/
Good Neighbor Fund(Powered by BootSector) got their Buffalo LPs together for a little bit of fun. It's never too late to submit a pitch (404 Link Removed) for one of their incredible micro-grants.
Good Neighbor Fund - FounderGPT
AI-powered advice for the WNY entrepreneur.
Good Neighbor Fund(Powered by BootSector) has been busy! Check out their GPT personalized for the WNY entrepreneur. Go ahead. Ask away → !
Upcoming Events - Powered by BootSector
Check out these great events, all Powered by BootSector! https://lu.ma/bocc
Powered by BootSector December 5 at Seneca One | 7:30-9:00AM
Upstate Capital - Annual Awards Celebration (404 Link Removed)
Come see Jack Greco (BootSector Co-Founder) host the awards! December 6 at Harro East Ballroom | 4:30-8:00pm
More Startup Community Events - This Week
Not enough to do? Check out these other events!
Community Showcase | Laine Business Accelerator
December 5 at 305 North Barry Street, Olean, NY | 5:00-8:00pm
Women in Tech Networking Meetup
December 6 at Seneca One | 9:00am-10:30am
December 6 at 240 East Ave., Rochester, NY | 8:00am-5:00pm Looking for More? Check out BootSector's Community Calendar ()
Funding News
Three cheers to these startups that are raising funds! (We're at $36,028,000 this year, in case you're counting. We are!) https://www.airexpert.net/
AireXpert closes $3M seed round and targets big airline customers (404 Link Removed)
Congratulations to Andy Hakes (404 Link Removed) , BootSector's very own Kamal Patel (404 Link Removed) and the rest of the AireXpert team on your raise!
Funding Opportunities
Is your startup looking for investment? Of course it is. Check out these opportunities! https://ubuffalo.startuptree.co/event/s/LtBXG2fXwJvrXBxgz9JJr6/Get-Seeded-%257C-Fall-2023?inf_contact_keyY0175e35a481339e23a92e5c594f270680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1
Amount: $500 - Multiple Grants
Deadlines: One Grant Each Month - Ends December 16 Requirements: Your startup must have a current UB student as a team member. https://ubuffalo.startuptree.co/event/s/LtBXG2fXwJvrXBxgz9JJr6/Get-Seeded-%257C-Fall-2023?inf_contact_keyY0175e35a481339e23a92e5c594f270680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1
Amount: $100,000 - Multiple Grants | Chance to win $1,000,000
Deadlines: January 8, 2024 Requirements: Your company must be incorporated. You must have proven your optics, photonics, or imaging enabled technology at least at the lab scale. You must have a team of at least two members working on the business full-time. You must have C-level team members able to locate in Rochester or participate in the hybrid-remote program for 6 months.
These folks could use a hand. Click the image for more info!
Got an ask? Let us know at news@joinbootsector.com ! https://www.cognitoforms.com/BlackstoneLaunchPadAtUB/_2024SpringUBCoLabMasterclass
In Case You Missed it - Startup News Briefs
Check out these news briefs compiled by the BootSector team!
Defining Yourself
So you're an entrepreneur. It's an incredible thrill. You take responsibility, forge a new path, and make change.
Although you can dedicate your life to these pursuits, don't tie your sense of worth and identity solely with being an entrepreneur. In other words, your value isn't your valuation.
Make sure to develop passions outside of entrepreneurship. Startup life is bumpy. It's good to have something else going on in your life that you enjoy. Something that lets you recharge your batteries.
It's easy to let your entrepreneurial career define you. But having your sole source of identity come from work makes for a brittle sense of self. Take pride in what you're doing, but continue developing those hobbies and passions. You need multiple “buckets,” so when one is a little emptier for a time, your life still feels full.
Jordan Walbesser Executive Director, BootSector Share this mailing list with your friends!