Since 2014, 43North has played an integral role in fueling Buffalo’s renaissance.
Upholding its mission of attracting and retaining high-growth startup companies, the work of 43North as a business accelerator program has been putting Buffalo on the map and has deepened non-native Western New Yorkers’ perspective on the region to expand beyond wings and wild winters.
This broadened exposure is accomplished through a world renowned annual $5 million investment that 43North provides to cutting-edge companies from across the globe.
On top of a large financial contribution, awarded companies are supported by mentors in related fields and gain access to a wealth of additional resources. In exchange, these startups, regardless of where they originated, must be willing to relocate their business to Western New York for at least one year so that the selected companies and the Buffalo community can flourish together.
In response to this transformative opportunity, 43North receives a slew of applications from national as well as international companies across a diverse array of industries, including software, biotech, consumer goods, and everything in between. In 2023, applicants represented 49 states as well as 43 countries, making for a truly robust prospect pool for 43North to review and select from.
Of the high volume of applications received, only 15 startups have been invited to pitch their business concepts to a panel of judges and a live audience at a shark tank-style event. The 15 companies will pitch in the semi-finals event on Wednesday, October 11th and only eight will be selected to move on to 43North Finals the following night at Shea’s. Outcomes from this event ultimately culminate in the selection of the top five companies, with each receiving $1 million and an incubator office space located within 43North’s Seneca One headquarters.
Plus, thanks to the generosity if Highmark, this year, one company will be chosen to receive a $25,000 People’s Choice Award in which the audience will vote for their favorite.
This high-intensity event is taking place at Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, October 12th and begins at 6pm with a pre-show performance by Buffalo-based band, Farrow starting at 5 pm. While this sensational experience is free to attend, tickets are required as seating is limited.
Leading up to the big event on October 12th, 43North is revving up excitement with a series of events and pop-up appearances to spread the word about Thursday’s thrilling business battle. All activities are free and open to the public.
2023 43North Finalists:
- 4T2 Sensors | Birmingham, UK
- Afterlife (formerly known as Peat) | Brooklyn, NY
- Blip Energy | Chicago, IL
- EarlyBird | New York, NY
- Encounter AI | Menlo Park, CA
- Guidesly | Topsfield, MA
- KAV | Redwood City, CA
- Kredit Academy | Miami, FL
- Moxie Scrubs | Somerville, MA
- Preemadonna | Carlsbad, CA
- Rees | Winnipeg, Canada
- Stepwise | Cambridge, MA
- StoreCash | San Jose, CA
- Transship | Chicago, IL
- Zette | San Francisco, CA
Pre-Finals Event Lineup
Seneca One Rally
Wednesday, October 4 | 11am – 1pm | No tickets required
Seneca One Plaza | 1 Seneca St. | Buffalo, NY 14203
- Prize wheel
- Free exclusive t-shirts
- Lloyd’s Taco truck
Semi-Finals
Wednesday, October 11 | 9:30am | Tickets (free, but seating is limited)
Seneca One Auditorium | 1 Seneca St. | Buffalo, NY 14203
- All 15 finalists’ pitches (8 selected to move onto finals)
Buffalo’s Tech Future with Steve Case
Thursday, October 12 | 12:30pm | Tickets (free, but seating is limited)
Seneca One Auditorium | 1 Seneca St. | Buffalo, NY 14203
- Discussion with Steve Case (Chairman and CEO of Revolution; co-founder of AOL) and Colleen Heidinger (President of 43North)
- Free copy of Steve Case’s Rise of Rest book
Finals
Thursday, October 12 | 6pm | Tickets (free, but registration is required)
Shea’s Performing Arts Center | 650 Main St. | Buffalo, NY 14202
- Live music by local band Farrow
- Remaining 8 finalists’ pitches
- Audience voting for People’s Choice Award
- Giveaways, including t-shirts and Top Seedz
Full details on the finalists and event lineup can be found on 43North’s website.
