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Governor Hochul Announces Finalists for Tenth Annual 43North Startup Competition

Eight Startups from Around the Country Selected to Pitch for Five $1 Million Prizes

Competition Has Created Nearly 1,000 Jobs in Western New York and Resulted in Almost $1 Billion Dollars in Follow On Investments

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the eight finalists for the 10th annual 43North startup competition taking place tomorrow, Oct. 10, marking ten years of entrepreneurial success in Buffalo achieved by investing in the innovative businesses and jobs of the future. This year's finalists from across the country span a diverse range of industries, including edtech, fintech, AI, foodtech, healthtech and more. A team of 24 venture capitalists heard pitches from the 16 semi-finalists and selected the eight teams that will be moving on to tomorrow’s big event, where they will pitch their extraordinary ideas in front of a live audience at Shea’s Performing Arts Center - competing for one of five $1 million investments and the chance to scale their businesses in one of the nation’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems.

"Buffalo has an impressive history of innovation, and 43North is continuing this tradition by drawing some of the most exciting startups from around the world to the region," Governor Hochul said. "The impact of 43North is undeniable. Over the past ten years we have seen Buffalo become recognized as a national startup hub and we look forward to seeing how this year’s cutting-edge businesses and top talent will fuel Western New York’s growing entrepreneurial economy.”

In addition to funding, the 43North accelerator provides mentorship, office space, access to a wide network of investors, and resources that help startups scale effectively. Over the past decade, 43North has invested in 69 companies, 52 percent of which have remained in Buffalo. The portfolio features 50 percent of companies led by founders of color and 26 percent led by female founders.

Read the full press release here.