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Cuomo announces $5 million to continue successful 43North competition

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Wed, Oct 26th 2016 04:35 pm

Funding builds support for Western New York's booming entrepreneurial ecosystem​

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday announced $5 million to continue the successful 43North startup competition in Western New York in 2017. 43North attracts early-stage companies from around the world to compete for the opportunity to turn ideas with high-growth potential into funded enterprises - all while leveraging the resources and talent of Western New York. With the governor's announcement, another year of funding will bring dozens more competitors to discover the advantages of building a business in the Buffalo region. Over the past six years, Western New York has experienced the strongest business growth in decades - and the unemployment rate has dropped from 8.1 percent in September 2010 to 5.0 percent in September 2016.

"With Western New York growing rapidly, this competition is a win-win for the region and all aspiring entrepreneurs looking for expert guidance and a community that will foster innovation," Cuomo said. "43North continues to attract and showcase some of the most promising entrepreneurial talent from across the globe, and, in year four, we are excited to push this momentum even further and continue to move the region's economy forward."

"The 'Buffalo Billion' was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this region and, today, we're seeing the fruits of the early seeds that were planted," Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "Today, 43North is not only attracting entrepreneurs to Buffalo from across the state, it's attracting the brightest minds from around the globe. They want to work here, live here and play here. And today we are telegraphing to the world that Western New York is back and better than ever."​

Cuomo made the announcement at the final round of the 2016 43North competition. Out of a total of 542 competitors at the start of the competition, 15 finalists will compete in front of a panel of notable judges, including experts Soraya Darabi, Co-Founder of Zady and Foodspotting; and Matthew Ryan, executive vice president and global chief strategy officer of Starbucks.

The top 10 finalists will then present again during the 43North million-dollar round to another panel of expert judges on Thursday, to compete for 43North's top cash prize of $1 million, a runner-up prize of $600,000 or one of six $500,000 prizes. Those winners will be announced during the 43North finals awards celebration, emceed by Luke Russert, at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. Winners will also receive free space at the 43North incubator on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus for one year, guidance from mentors in related fields, the chance to apply for up to $400,000 in follow-on funding and access to other business incentive programs.

Since Cuomo announced the launch of the 43North competition in 2014, in conjunction with the "Buffalo Billion," the competition has helped the Western New York economy grow jobs today while sowing seeds for long-term economic development. In the past two years, 21 companies have participated in the competition, and have raised a combined $15 million in funding in the 22 months they've been active in the program. Of those 21 companies, 16 continue to operate in Buffalo. Among them are companies such as Energy Intelligence, which was featured as one of the Forbes "30 Under 30," for developing a technology that creates clean energy out of truck traffic.

Howard Zemsky, president, commissioner and CEO of Empire State Development, said, "43North is an entrepreneurial engine for Buffalo's transformation. Year after year, the region's reputation for being a startup hotspot is growing as Western New York becomes a top location for the promising innovators of the future."

Gil C. Quiniones, president and CEO of the New York Power Authority, said, "43North is an economic development story that keeps adding more exciting chapters. We are proud that proceeds from the sale of electricity from our Niagara Power Project are helping to move this competition forward."

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, "43North is showcasing the emerging innovators that are flooding Buffalo with their unrivaled talent. Western New York has garnered a reputation for itself as a leader of cutting-edge entrepreneurialism. Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Cuomo, 43North has become a staple vehicle for that continued growth and momentum in the region."

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, "The growth of Buffalo's entrepreneurial ecosystem is the key mark of a city on the move. The 43North competition has allowed us to identify and welcome some of the world's most promising entrepreneurs to our community, and I look forward to welcoming a new generation of innovation to Buffalo's booming entrepreneurial landscape."

Bill Maggio, chairman of the 43North board of directors, said, "On behalf of 43North and Buffalo's startup community, we truly appreciate Gov. Cuomo's continued support of this dynamic competition. We remain committed to driving the growth of Buffalo's startup ecosystem and look forward to hosting entrepreneurs from around the world for a fourth year, as they vie for another $5 million and compete to do business here."

Each year so far, 43North has awarded a total of $5 million in cash prizes, and has offered free incubator space in Buffalo for one year, guidance and access to other business incentive programs. The $5 million in funding for the next year will be provided by Empire State Development. An additional $2 million is expected to be considered for the competition by the Western New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board. NYPA contributed $6 million to this year's competition; additional support comes from National Grid and several other sponsors. More information about the competition is available at www.43north.org

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