As reported by the Buffalo News, five more startups have graduated from the University at Buffalo's Cultivator program for early-stage startups. These include Dentite, Denture ER, Edenesque, RHM Innovations and Strideful.
In four years, 73 companies have participated in Cultivator, and 32 of those companies have received a total of $3.1M in pre-seed funding.
According to the story, the program has attracted companies to Buffalo for mentorship, hands-on experience, and $100,000 in pre-seed funding, all critical for growing startups. Many program participants also go on to raise larger rounds of funding or take advantage of later-stage resources in the Western New York startup ecosystem. Cultivator companies have raised $5.9M from outside investors like NY Ventures and Launch NY.
Cultivator, which the Buffalo News calls a "significant link in the chain of support for local startups" supports community-based startups regardless of UB affiliation, providing founders of all backgrounds the foundation to become a successful entrepreneur. The story states that 74% of Cultivator's participating companies have been started by an underrepresented founder.
Read the full story here.