December 11, 2023
WNY Consortium Tackles International Talent Retention
BootSector, TechBuffalo, and Invest Buffalo Niagara form a consortium to retain international student talent. Upstate Capital marks 20 years with annual awards.
Here's what's happening in the WNY Startup Community, brought to you by BootSector.
BootSector is an all-volunteer, grassroots non-profit that wants to make WNY the best startup community in America. To do this, we provide infrastructure, events, and places to connect in order to amplify the impact of WNY startup community leaders.
TechBuffalo, Invest Buffalo Niagara, BootSector, and others working together to boost international hiring
It takes a village and BootSector is pulling one together!
The consortium, which started about five months ago and meets biweekly. Read more here (404 Link Removed) If you're interested in this initiative, please contact us !
20 Years of Upstate Capital
BootSector cofounder, Jack Greco (404 Link Removed) , hosts a great event!
Over 50 nominations were received through individual submissions and deal flow screening from the past 12 months. Finalists were selected by the Upstate Capital Board of Directors. Congratulations to all of the winners!
Upcoming Events - Powered by BootSector
Check out these great events, all Powered by BootSector! https://lu.ma/bocc
Powered by BootSector December 12 at Seneca One | 7:30-9:00AM
More Startup Community Events - This Week
Not enough to do? Check out these other events!
Webinar: Empowering Founders to Fundraise (404 Link Removed)
December 12 at Online | 11:00AM-12:00PM
Finding Energy Efficiency and Funding for Manufacturers (404 Link Removed)
December 12 at Online | 1:00-2:00PM https://www.theexchangeatbeverlygray.org/event-details/the-business-of-law-workshop-edition
The Business of Law | Workshop Edition
December 13 at The Exchange at Beverly Gray | 6:00-8:00PM 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!) Is your startup raising funds? We'd like to know!
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.
UB CAT Grants (404 Link Removed)
Amount: Up to $100,000 - Multiple Grants
Deadline: March 1, 2024 Requirements: Please see the UB CAT RFP Guidelines in the link! Available to most life and health sciences business in NYS or looking to expand/relocate to NYS.
These folks could use a hand. Click the image for more info!
Got an ask? Let us know at news@joinbootsector.com ! https://thegrommet.com/product/gadgets/fret-zealot
Fret Zealot needs your upvotes on their guitar learning system. Tired of playing Wonderwall? Give them a try and support a local startup. Might be a cool last minute holiday gift. Just saying!
In Case You Missed it - Startup News Briefs
Check out these news briefs compiled by the BootSector team! https://www.zatik.io/press-release-04dec23 https://www.bosonqpsi.com/post/topology-optimization-of-airfoil-structures-using-quantum-inspired-design-optimization-technique https://blog.lenderlogix.com/hw-tech-trendsetter-scott-falbo https://buffalonews.com/news/local/business/university-at-buffalo-entrepreneurial-experiences-rankings-buffalo-next/article_7dc08e1e-8f09-11ee-92b7-f304cda0ed5f.html
Choosing Advice
There's an excess of advice out there. Not just for startups. For everything. So how do you filter out the noise? Try these simple questions about the source:
- Is your personality the same as the source?
- Are you in the same life stage as the source?
- Is the source's advice working for them?
- How long has the source been taking their own advice?
One more thing - you don't need advice for everything.
If it works, even if it's not the most efficient, don't fix it. You got other things you can work on. Give yourself permission to ignore stuff about what's already working in your life.
Jordan Walbesser Executive Director, BootSector Share this mailing list with your friends!