May 20, 2024
Pitch-In Buffalo May 22; Vote for 43North at TechCrunch
Pitch-In Buffalo returns to 701 Ellicott May 22. Vote for Colleen Heidinger at TechCrunch Disrupt by May 24. A.J. Franklin featured as 2024 community leader.
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 community for startups in America. To do this, BootSector provides infrastructure, events, and places to connect in order to amplify the impact of WNY startup leaders.
In 2024, we're featuring 24 individuals in WNY who make WNY a better community for startups. This feature is one small way we can say "thank you" to the volunteers that make an impact. Reach out and get connected!
This Week's Feature - A.J. Franklin (404 Link Removed)
A.J. Franklin (404 Link Removed) , recently appointed as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Mayors, is a graduate of the University at Buffalo/Beverly Gray Emerging Entrepreneurs Program (404 Link Removed) (generously sponsored by M&T Bank). A Board Member of the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY, Inc →and Massachusetts Avenue Project, A.J. is a frequent face at startup events and an endless supporter of growing the number and quality of startups in Western New York. A.J. is highly devoted to advancing equity in the world around him and loves to connect others to the countless opportunities available throughout the area. A dedicated volunteer in - and committed advocate of - Buffalo, A.J. volunteered at the 2023 Buffalo Startup Week.
These features are compiled by Jess Kent. If you'd like to nominate a leader, please contact her on Slack or via email: JessicaRachelKent@gmail.com https://www.716coffee.club/
Powered by BootSector May 21 at Seneca One | 7:30-9:00AM
Discovering Your Brand with Maureen Ballatori | Rev: Ithaca Startup Works
May 21 at Online | 10:00-11:00AM
May Meetup | Buffalo Devs Slack (404 Link Removed)
May 21 at Spot Coffee (5330 Main St., Williamsville, NY) | 5:00-7:00PM
Google Analytics for Small Businesses - How to Improve Your Website Traffic | SCORE (404 Link Removed)
May 22 at Online | 1:00-2:00PM https://www.716coffee.club/
Powered by BootSector May 22 at 701 Ellicott St. | 5:30-7:00PM
BGS Game Development (In-Person) Meeting | Buffalo Game Space
May 23 at 2495 Main Street, Suite #454, Buffalo, NY | 7:00-9:00PM
Check out BootSector's community calendars for more events - now on Google and Luma! BootSector's Community Calendar - Google BootSector's Community Calendar - Luma
Any startup events that we're missing? Tell us at news@joinbootsector.com https://ubuffalo.startuptree.co/event/s/9WUo8FYxGRkDn3owE2Zw8E/Summer-Accelerator-2024
Amount: $4,000 in prizes
Deadline: May 31, 2024 Requirements: Must be an undergraduate and graduate students. Participants will need a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number in order to collect any prize money awarded. Recent graduates from Feb '24 or May '24 are eligible to apply. https://43north.org/founders/program/
Amount: Up to $1MM
Deadline: June 7, 2024 Requirements: Winners must provide 43North with 5% equity in your company in the form of a warrant. Winners must also agree to locate your CEO and 50% of your staff in Buffalo for at least 12 months as well as participate in monthly programming. https://www.goodneighbor.fund/
Amount: Up to $1,000
Deadline: None Requirements: Good Neighbor Fund awards $1,000 micro-grants to ideation-stage founders every quarter in order to inspire and support under-resourced founders to build their dreams. Proudly powered by BootSector!
Blackbird.AI Compass and Constellation named 2024 finalists Empowering CBOs with Data Podcast ASOTU Con 2024 CleanFiber featured in 2024 manufacturing awards | Buffalo Business First (404 Link Removed)
Got news you'd like to share? Let us know at news@joinbootsector.com ! https://youtu.be/O4p5yeR-BNU?si=qrJ5Y-vj6vsdSCpe
Remember when Buffalo Startup Week and BootSector brought in Jodi Anderson Jr. to speak? Here's a little inspiration regarding what tech can support from one of our BSW23 speakers. https://techcrunch.com/events/tc-disrupt-2024/audience-choice/
Ask: Buffalo's biggest pitch competition, 43North,is looking for your vote! Let's stuff the ballot box for Colleen Heidinger (404 Link Removed)! Voting closes May 24. Vote here!
Got something inspiring to share? Let us know at news@joinbootsector.com !
On Worrying
"Worrying is like paying a debt you don't owe." This is one of those quotes that are remarkably simple and true. We worry almost constantly and there's nothing in this world saying that we need to. Worrying doesn't change anything or fix any problems. Yet we do it anyway. We're constantly making withdrawals from our emotional bank to pay for this debt that doesn't exist.
Worrying comes naturally. But next time those worries start to creep in, take a moment to step back and ask yourself if there's other things you can do with that energy.
Jordan Walbesser Executive Director, BootSector