UB and Launch NY announce the debut of a new website connecting current and would-be entrepreneurs to upstate New York resources that offer assistance in starting, growing and managing a business.

The website is structured according to five stages of business development: explore, start, demonstrate, launch and grow. Each stage is defined, with recommended activities identified and appropriate resources listed.

Development of the website is part of a two-year grant awarded to a consortium of UB entities by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The funds created the Innovation Hub (iHub) Accelerator, which is aimed at fostering innovation, job creation and capital investment in 10 Western New York counties. Initiatives and activities are led by the following UB entities: TCIE, the Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR), the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences; the School of Management; and the New York State Center for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation (NYSCEDII).

“In addition to helping entrepreneurs flourish, we hope this online ‘one-stop shop’ will lead to increased collaboration among business venture assets,” says Timothy Leyh, executive director of iHub Accelerator and TCIE. “We would like for it to attract the attention of other resource providers and stakeholders as well — such as policy makers, regulators and public officials — to further boost Western New York’s innovation infrastructure.”

Scott Cassety, Launch NY’s entrepreneur-in-residence for Western New York, says the website is an important resource for entrepreneurs and startup companies, including those from outside New York.

“There is an extensive range of services available in upstate New York that entrepreneurs can access to help them build their business,” Cassety says. “This website lets entrepreneurs and startups everywhere know that upstate New York really is ‘open for business.’”

East Aurora-based Aurora Consulting Group created the website.