Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the 43North accelerator program, credited with creating jobs and attracting entrepreneurs to Buffalo, will end in 2027.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday the 43North accelerator program will be coming to an end in 2027, after 13 years of bringing start-up companies to Buffalo.
“Over the past decade, we’ve helped transform Buffalo into a destination for innovation, attracting world-class entrepreneurs and creating new opportunities across Western New York…” Governor Hochul said. “I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in my hometown and excited for what’s ahead as Buffalo continues building on the momentum created through New York State’s long-standing commitment to growing a strong startup ecosystem.”
According to the Governor’s Office, 43North, with the help of New York State funding, has invested tens of millions of dollars into high-growth companies, which have collectively raised more than $1 billion in follow-on funding, created thousands of jobs, and contributed to Buffalo’s emergence as a competitive startup ecosystem. Since the program launched in 2014, 3,000 jobs have been created around the world. A third of those were right here in Western New York.
43North President Colleen Heidinger says in a press release, “We’re proud of what this partnership has made possible: attracting world-class founders, fueling high-growth companies, and creating meaningful economic opportunity across Western New York. Governor Hochul and Empire State Development have been instrumental in building this momentum, and together, we’ve laid a foundation that positions Buffalo for an even stronger, more inclusive innovation economy.”
43North’s final $5 million startup competition will take place this fall.
But this isn’t the end. The Governor’s office also announced the creation of the 43North Foundation, a new program that will focus on supporting company founders, strengthening talent pipelines, and expanding access to capital. According to the release, its work has been distilled into four pillars:
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Radial Ventures – an AI-led Venture Studio to help create and launch new startups
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TechBuffalo – talent development efforts to grow and retain startup-ready workers
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Series B – storytelling and visibility to attract founders, investors, and partners
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Corporate Connectivity – to connect startups with established Buffalo corporations
