Swift Rails Raises $225k; Buffalo Inno Updates Funding Guide

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.

Funding Spotlight from Buffalo Inno

Lian Bunny highlights six resources for startup funding

Buffalo Inno compiled a few years ago a list of doors local founders could knock on (404 Link Removed) for startup cash. In just a relatively short amount of time, more opportunities have come to light, prompting Lian to create an updated list (404 Link Removed)

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Buffalo Open Coffee Club

Powered by BootSector January 23 at Seneca One | 7:30-9:00AM

No More Startup Community Events - This Week

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Swift Rails Raises $225,000

The round remains open with a goal of raising $1MM. https://www.swiftrails.com/

Lancaster-based Swift Rails recently raised $225,000 in private investments according to an SEC filing. The money is part of a larger round, which will be a mixture of private capital and WeFunder crowdsourcing, targeting $1 million. CEO and co-founder Kevin Neumaier expects to close the round by March. Congratulations Kevin and the rest of the Swift Rails team!

Got any fundraising news? Let us know at news@joinbootsector.com !

Funding Opportunities

Is your startup looking for investment? Of course it is. Check out these opportunities!

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.

University at Buffalo Fast 46 Nominations

Nominations are open until March 8, 2024

UB Fast 46 Nomination Form (404 Link Removed)

The Fast 46 program recognizes and celebrates the success of 46 of the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UB alumni or former students around the world. To be considered a Fast 46 finalist, eligible companies must have been in business since January 2020; have verifiable revenues of at least $100,000 or more in 2020 and 2021, and at least $250,000 in 2022; and the owner or leader must be a UB graduate or former student.

Got an ask?

Let us know at news@joinbootsector.com !

In Case You Missed it - Startup News Briefs

Check out these news briefs compiled by the BootSector team! https://www.buffalorising.com/2023/12/buffalos-revival-through-innovation-st-bonaventures-bold-step/ https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/03/diadem-capital-venture-capital-warm-introductions/ https://www.buffalorising.com/2024/01/rising-against-the-odds-verivends-journey-from-local-startup-to-fintech-powerhouse-in-a-challenging-market/

Starting Fresh

It's a new year, everyone. And for many, that means resolutions, a promising year ahead, and a hefty backlog from 2023. As I'm getting back into things after a wonderful Christmas break, those nagging things I didn't finish in 2023 are rearing their ugly head.

William James once said “Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.”

So for me, in an attempt to avoid that fatigue, I'm going to take some time this week to delete those uncompleted tasks from 2023. Let's all start fresh. Let's all check in with your teams and see what still needs to be done. Let's all take a breath and figure out what's important for 2024.

Jordan Walbesser Executive Director, BootSector Share this mailing list with your friends!