The top three winners of Buffalo Startup Weekend (held at Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus’ d!g center) were varied in nature and show that the entrepreneurial spirit in Buffalo is strong. Pro Shepherd (lead image) came away with top prize – the company developed and online tool and app that helps organizers to operate charity runs and and bike rides. Second place was awarded to a service strart-up called Beer Parlor (inset left)that provides coveted, and preciously unreleased, beers to members. Third prize went to Community Core (inset right), technology which allows people to hook up with non-profits, with an angle – in the process of volunteering, participants get in physical shape, which is a win-win for the charity and the person donating time. The winning teams were part of eight entrants (165 registrants) that competed to win over the weekend as part of 43North Week.
Buffalo Startup Weekend co-organizer Dan Gigante said, “Each year, we talk about how to make this year’s event a success, and each year, we are able to reach new people in the community and through the local colleges and universities. Ideas, interest and momentum are key ingredients to building any successful startup ecosystem in a community. I’ve seen this in other startup communities I’ve visited, including Boulder and Seattle, and it’s exciting to see it happening in Buffalo.”
Following are the 8 teams who participated in the 2015 Buffalo Startup Weekend:
- 100nly (pronounced “One Hundred Only”) – exclusive, autographed memorabilia sold to fans to help fund charitable missions.
- Avenue Cloud – online service that easily lets you change your name and address across all of your accounts when you move.
- Beer Parlor – Monthly service that provides unreleased craft beer to member connoisseurs.
- Community Core – online service that connects you with local nonprofits to donate time while you get physically fit in the process.
- Eventista – connecting event planners with event service providers.
- FliC – FliC is the world’s simplest and most comprehensive contact sharing tool to eliminate the need for business cards.
- Pro Shepherd – Event management and incident reporting app for charity runs and bike rides.
- Thrive Thru – Healthy fast food drive-thru restaurant.
The 1st place team will receive a suite of prizes including:
- Five tickets to attend Bright Buffalo Niagara Forum
- One year membership to WNY Venture Association
- Full scholarship to StartUp CEL from University at Buffalo
- One year membership to InfoTech WNY
- One month membership to d!g for each individual on the team
- Ten hours of interactive design work from Norris Clifton Creative
- One year membership to WNY Venture Association
- One year membership to InfoTech WNY
- Five hours of interactive design work from Norris Clifton Creative
- Website development and web hosting for one year for any team that continues their business from 360 PSG
- StartUp CEL discount coupon worth $200 from University at Buffalo
- Day pass to d!g
You and Who outfitted all of the contestants with t-shirts – the shirts represented in-kind meals that will be donated to the Buffalo City Mission.
This was the fifth iteration of Buffalo Startup Weekend.
Photos: SWBuffalo Twitter