Startup Insights & Stories

Expert advice, practical lessons and inspiring successes from our startups, founders and mentors.

Buffalo Startup Week.

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT

Hundreds of founders, funders, mentors, connectors and friends gathered for a full slate of events designed to celebrate and grow the region’s thriving startup ecosystem at the 2025 Buffalo Startup Week, April 7-9. Hosted by UB Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships and powered by the Western New York Incubator Network, Startup Week sessions were held at Seneca One Tower, UB’s Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, and The Caz.

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT

When Lauren Washington joins UB’s Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships (BEP) as Senior Associate Director of Startup Ventures, she will already be a familiar face to her new colleagues. Washington’s relationship with the Buffalo startup community began a decade ago when her startup at the time, KeepUp, was among 43North’s first season of winners in 2014. That win propelled her on a path to become an accomplished entrepreneur and CEO with a passion for empowering decision-making in seed investing. 

Simple agreement for future equity.

EXPERT ADVICE

A Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) offers early-stage startups a flexible investment option, providing funds in exchange for future equity when the business grows. Learn more about what a SAFE is, how it works, and about UB's standard terms for investments made through its Cultivator program.

Two women in traditional South Asian attire sit together at a desk, looking at a laptop. One woman wears a red and black outfit with silver earrings, while the other wears a black and gold embroidered dress with gold earrings. Both are smiling and appear to be collaborating on work, with a blue cup and some papers visible on the desk.

EXPERT ADVICE

The U.S. International Entrepreneur Rule allows immigrant entrepreneurs to stay in the U.S. for up to five years if their startups secure significant investment or funding, show potential for economic growth, and meet other criteria. Successful ventures may enable entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residency. Learn more about the U.S. Entrepreneur Rule.

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Additional resources for startup growth

Build your business and connect with a diverse network of entrepreneurs in our two business incubators—the Incubator @ CBLS downtown and the Incubator @ Baird near North Campus.

ArmHug.

Get up to $100,000 in pre-seed startup capital and help from experienced entrepreneurs through the UB Cultivator.

Seed Fund.

Take your business to the next level with up to $250,000 from our venture capital fund, the Buffalo Innovation Seed Fund.