Five startups have been awarded $1 million each as winners of the 11th annual 43North competition, a New York State-funded initiative to support innovation and job creation in Buffalo. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the winners at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, highlighting the competition’s role in attracting companies from around the world to Western New York.
The five winning companies, which will relocate to Buffalo and operate from the 43North incubator at Seneca One, are Cellsense (New York, NY), Cosi Care (London, U.K.), Floe (New Haven, CT), RadEmploy (New York, NY), and Tukki.ai (Miami, FL). Their business models range from sustainable materials and medical devices to artificial intelligence solutions for staffing and immigration.
“New York State is committed to helping innovative startups scale and hire — and 43North is a proven engine for that growth,” said Governor Hochul. “Congratulations to this year’s five winners. We look forward to seeing you build in Western New York, create good-paying jobs, attract talent and capital and strengthen Buffalo’s standing as one of the nation’s fastest-growing startup cities.”
The competition was judged by a panel including Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition Opportunity; Kerry Hicks, Co-Chairman of HW Investment Partners; Pocket Sun, Co-Founder of SoGal Ventures; Nasir C. Qadree, Managing Partner at Zeal Capital; and Sameer Kenkare, Principal at AWS Startups.
In addition to investment capital, winners receive mentoring, office space, and access to a network of investors. Since its inception in 2014, 43North has invested in 74 companies that have collectively created more than 3,000 jobs and raised over $1 billion globally.
A $25,000 People’s Choice award funded by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield was also presented to Cosi Care.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight commented, “Empire State Development is proud to power 43North’s work to attract and scale high-quality startups in Buffalo. By connecting founders with capital, customers and community, this program helps companies choose New York, create good-paying jobs and build a durable startup ecosystem. Congratulations to this year’s winners — we’re ready to help you scale and add momentum to Western New York’s innovation economy.”
