Media Advisory: Shark Tank Nation to take a bite out of Buffalo as budding entrepreneurs take a chance at making their dreams come true

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo’s Bright Buffalo Niagara (BBN) program, in collaboration with 43North, the world’s largest business idea competition, will feature some of the brightest budding entrepreneurs at this year’s BBN Entrepreneur Expo.

This invitation-only event, presented by UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences (CBLS) and sponsored by Superior Group, provides an invaluable platform for 38 local entrepreneurs, as well as regional semifinalists from 43North, to participate in their very own version of Shark Tank Nation as they pitch their ideas to potential angel and venture capitalists.

The event takes place from 1:30-7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the historic Statler City, Buffalo’s premiere event venue, 701 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. Opening remarks from CBLS Executive Director Norma J. Nowak and 43North Executive Director John Gavigan will take place at 2 p.m., followed by 90-second live pitches, an entrepreneur trade show and cocktail reception.

It will conclude with a keynote address from Daymond John, star of ABC’s business reality show “Shark Tank,” founder and CEO of FUBU (“For Us, By Us”) clothing line and a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship.

Exhibitors participating in Bright Buffalo Niagara represent a wide range of services and products in health care, technology, energy, food and beverage, including an assistive device that helps people with physical or neurological disabilities to remain independent, an augmented-reality surgical simulator platform for telehealth training, a smart vehicle safety device to deliver on-demand roadway monitoring and liquid flavor concentrates that transform everyday beer into a great-flavored craft experience.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the next generation of innovators to the Bright Buffalo Niagara Entrepreneur Expo,” said Nowak. “This event showcases that Buffalo’s startup scene is bright, and it is an amazing opportunity for each company to introduce themselves to potential funders and to hear from an iconic investor and entrepreneur who has walked in their shoes.”

“Bright Buffalo Niagara is one of 43North Week’s marquee events,” said 43North Executive Director John Gavigan. “It helps address a universal entrepreneurial need – access to capital – by connecting some of our region’s most promising startups with venture capitalists and angels.”

Bright Buffalo Niagara sponsors:

UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, 43North, Superior Group, Aloft Buffalo Airport, Buffalo Business First, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, ECIDA, Freed Maxick CPAs, Katz Americas, Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP, Lumsden McCormick LLP, McGladrey LLP, Print2Web and WNY Innovation Hot Spot.

Members of the media interested in attending the event are asked to contact CBLS Marketing Communications Manager Julie Molenda at juliemol@buffalo.edu or 716-881-7997. Marcene Robinson of UB’s Office of University Communications, will be the on-site media contact.

The speaker’s address may only be recorded via b-roll. The address may not be recorded by any means of audio tape, video tape or film, nor may it be broadcast or streamed on the Internet, in whole or in part, without prior approval of the agency.