Ignite Buffalo announces $30,000 small business pitch competition in partnership with Ureeka

Western New York small businesses invited to apply by Sept. 1

In partnership with Ureeka, Ignite Buffalo is inviting Western New York small businesses to apply to Ureeka’s small business pitch competition, where five prizes totaling $30,000 will be awarded.

Ureeka’s co-founder and Buffalo native David Jakubowski was back in Buffalo recently to introduce Ureeka, a community where small businesses gain access to the expertise needed to grow their business. In addition to announcing the platform’s invite-only beta launch to local businesses, Jakubowski announced Ureeka would partner with Ignite Buffalo to host a pitch competition on Sept. 18. Western New York small businesses are encouraged to apply today, as the deadline is midnight ET Sunday, Sept. 1.

The prize structure for the small business pitch competition is one prize of $10,000 and four prizes of $5,000.

Jakubowski said, “Over the last year, Ignite Buffalo has proved – unequivocally – that the combination of access to capital and to coaching creates jobs and helps businesses grow. This is exactly Ureeka’s vision, making Buffalo the perfect location to launch our platform and host our first pitch competition!”

Colleen E. Heidinger, VP programming strategy and community engagement at 43North and co-founder of Ignite Buffalo, said, “It is with great excitement and appreciation that Ignite Buffalo continues to grow the opportunities available for small businesses in Western New York with great partners like Ureeka. We are thankful to the entire Ureeka team for thinking of Buffalo first.”

Visit https://www.ureeka.biz/pitch/ignite-ureeka to apply.

Ureeka is a platform that provides access to underrepresented small to medium businesses (SMBs). Ureeka offers access to a peer, mentor, coach community (PMC community), best practices, and a specialist marketplace. Learn more at www.ureeka.biz.

Ignite Buffalo is a small business grant and mentorship program that was established by 43North, Facebook, M&T Bank, and other partners to promote sustainable growth, job creation, and ongoing education in Buffalo. The program provides access to industry experts through free programming and resources, and $1 million in grants that were awarded to 27 small businesses to spur economic growth in the region. To learn more about Ignite Buffalo, visit ignitebuffalo.org.