'UB Fast 46' seeks nominations of alumni-run businesses

By the University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo announces the third annual “UB Fast 46” competition, open to alumni and former students who own or lead businesses. Named in honor of UB’s founding in 1846, the program recognizes and celebrates the success of 46 of the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UB alumni or former students around the world.

Nominations – self-submitted or by a third party – are open until March 3, and are followed by a formal application to prove eligibility and provide required financial documents. To be considered a “Fast 46” finalist, eligible companies must have been in business since January 2019; have verifiable revenues of at least $100,000 or more in 2019 and 2020 and at least $250,000 in 2021; and the owner or leader must be a UB alum or former student.

“The ‘UB Fast 46’ competition keeps growing in momentum each year,” says Thomas McArthur, Ed.M. ’08, associate vice president for alumni engagement and annual giving. “ ‘UB Fast 46’ is truly a global competition. In fact, last year’s No. 1-ranked business was owned by a UB alumnus from Austria.”

Companies will be ranked by the percentage of cumulative annual growth in revenue for 2019, 2020 and 2021. The 46 companies with the highest revenue growth rates – as verified by official verification firm The Bonadio Group, a Top 50 CPA firm with offices in Buffalo, throughout New York state and beyond – will be selected for the 2023 “UB Fast 46” event on Sept. 14.

“We encourage businesses to apply annually to maintain or improve their ranking,” McArthur says. “And we encourage companies who may have missed out last year to apply this year.”

More information, including criteria, nomination forms and deadlines, are available at www.buffalo.edu/alumni/fast46. Additional questions may be directed to Krystal Testa in the Office of Alumni Engagement at [email protected] or 716-645-0886.