Business and Economic Development

Blackstone LaunchPad at the University at Buffalo is a campus-based entrepreneurship program that supports and mentors students, staff and alumni. Blackstone's goal is to introduce you to entrepreneurship, help you develop entrepreneurial skills and enable you to independently achieve success in whatever venture you pursue.

The Core Program, organized by UB’s School of Management, acts as a peer-mentorship program between local business owners, leaders and UB faculty. It provides an opportunity for networking and support within the WNY business community, as well as a platform for participants to develop and share ideas and practices and work out solutions for presenting challenges. 

The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) recognizes and supports the power of entrepreneurship to unlock human potential, create jobs, inspire wealth and invigorate the greater Western New York economy and community.

Students in the University at Buffalo’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences can engage in the Engineering Partnership Program, where they work with prominent companies in the Buffalo and WNY area. This program facilitates learning for students, contribution by UB into the engineering sciences workforce in the area, and allows for collaboration between UB and its surrounding communities.

Each spring, IRS-certified accounting students from the University at Buffalo School of Management provide free tax preparation services to qualifying individuals and families. This service can be especially valuable to low-income tax filers by helping them apply for earned income tax credits that can provide a needed boost in annual income. 

The M&T Bank Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs (MWEE) program is presented by the UB School of Management’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The MWEE program is partially funded with a generous grant from M&T Bank.

The University at Buffalo Regional Institute is involved with a wide variety of topics pertaining to economic development and research, as well as regional improvement across jurisdictions. UBRI provides planning expertise, analysis, and support to a number of causes, including market research, urban design and many other components of regional success.

UB’s Science and Engineering Equipment and Instrumentation Portal (EQUIP) of shared facilities provides cost-effective access to precision laboratories, tools and equipment for electronic device development, the study and analysis of materials, motion simulation and 3D additive & digital manufacturing.  All are available for shared use by UB students and faculty, as well as researchers at other academic institutions, and those in government and industry. 

Through UB's Social Impact Fellows program, MBA and MSW students from the School of Management and School of Social Work, along with graduate students from the College of Arts and Sciences, create social innovation in Western New York. Together, our students collaborate, address pressing social issues and make an impact.

The center provides resources and connections to a range of businesses, from entrepreneurs to established companies. TCIE connects local business to engineering and applied science resources, offering development training, technical analysis, industrial engineering and more.

The Henry A Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition provides UB students from various disciplines with an opportunity to further innovative ideas into viable businesses in WNY. The competition, made possible by a $1,000,000 endowment from the late Henry A. Panasci Jr., involves teams of students pitching concepts and project ideas related to the life sciences, technologies and engineering industries. The winning team receives a prize of $25,000 in start-up money and $27,000 worth of in-kind services. The competition allows for young entrepreneurs to introduce new and innovative business in the WNY area.

University at Buffalo provides training, research, knowledge and opportunity to students and independent entrepreneurs alike through its Business and Entrepreneurial Services. University laboratory facilities and specialized equipment are used by entrepreneurs and scientists expanding their options for research and development. Faculty and students provide content expertise, frequently working with industry to solve problems. 

Generously supported by the Prentice Family Foundation, the Western New York (WNY) Prosperity Fellowship is a program dedicated to supporting promising University at Buffalo students who are committed to contributing to the economic viability of the Western New York Region. The program delivers on this promise by providing Prosperity Fellows with professional development opportunities, as well as resources and access to WNY business leaders and the community.