named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Ambassador Network
Corporate engagement program connecting senior business leaders with startups, talent, and innovation opportunities in Buffalo to drive economic growth.
Radial Ventures
AI-native venture studio that builds and spins out high-growth tech startups using proprietary AI validation tools; first company launched is MakeOff, focused on AI-driven bidding for electrical contractors.
Series B
Media platform that tells the story of Buffalo’s innovation economy to amplify its tech ecosystem and attract investment, talent, and attention.
TechBuffalo
Comprehensive talent development initiative spanning K–12 through professional levels, including the PowerUp Tech internship program and partnerships with Microsoft to attract and retain tech talent in Western New York.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Regional Economic Development Initiatives 4 activities
- Advocating for regional tech development and talent recruitmentParticipates in public forums such as the r-House radio show to discuss and promote regional tech development and talent recruitment efforts in Western New York.
- Leading regional storytelling initiatives through Series B[uffalo]Created Series B[uffalo] to tell a coordinated, intentional story about the positive developments and successes in Buffalo’s innovation economy.
- Operating a corporate connectivity program to link established businesses with innovation economyOperates the region's first structured corporate engagement program—also referred to as a corporate connectivity program—that connects established Buffalo businesses with opportunities in the local innovation economy.
- Sponsoring Accelerate AI event to promote practical AI adoptionSponsors the Accelerate AI event to provide expert-led guidance on practical AI applications for business growth and efficiency in the Buffalo region.
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 2 activities
- Building startup infrastructure and innovation ecosystem in BuffaloLaunched the 43North business competition in 2014, contributing to the development of startup infrastructure in Buffalo including accelerators, incubators, and investor networks, and advancing Buffalo’s recognition as an emerging center for AI-led innovation and commercialization.
- Operating Radial Ventures, an AI-native venture studio to launch high-growth startupsCreated and supports Radial Ventures, an AI-native venture studio launched in early 2025, to generate, build, and scale high-quality software startups in Buffalo, including through AI education initiatives.
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Women Entrepreneurs Grant Programs 2 activities
- Funding and reinvesting in Buffalo’s startup ecosystem through successful exitsReinvests proceeds from successful startup exits—such as the $1M investment in ACV Auctions that led to a $3.8B IPO—back into Buffalo's startup community to sustain and grow the innovation economy.
- Funding startup innovation and economic growth in Buffalo/Niagara regionProvides financial and entrepreneurial support to organizations, ideas, and innovation in the Buffalo/Niagara region to promote technological innovation and economic growth, including through a 12-year history of hosting a $5 million annual startup competition and committing $100 million to Buffalo via the 43North Foundation.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Funding and driving regional innovation initiatives through core pillarsFunds and drives initiatives through its core pillars and supports regional partners delivering programs in talent development, innovation, and storytelling to strengthen Buffalo’s innovation ecosystem.
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Teacher & Classroom Innovation Grants 1 activity
- Funding talent pipeline and tech education programs in Western New YorkProvides primary funding to TechBuffalo to develop a regional tech talent pipeline and high-skill tech workforce, including support for the PowerUp Tech internship program, Microsoft TechSpark and Innovation Fellows programs, and Innovation Fellowships for K–12 educators across dozens of Western New York school districts.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Operating the Ambassador Network to connect business leaders with startupsLaunched and operates the Ambassador Network to connect Buffalo's established business community with the region's startup and innovation ecosystem, engaging over 70 business leaders and conducting more than 200 meetings with senior executives to foster collaboration.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Commercializing AI-powered startups such as MakeOffLaunched and commercialized MakeOff, an AI-powered tool for electrical contracting bids and estimates, which has released its first product version and acquired a growing base of paying customers.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.40M
Contributions & grants$2.16M64%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1.24M36%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$258K
Program expenses17%
Admin / overhead83%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$23K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$61.21M
Cash$3.79M
Investments$57.30M
Liabilities$63K
Net assets$61.14M
Liquid reserves2838.9 mo
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +969.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAM PETRIE | TREASURER | 5 | $20K |
board members · 6
- ALLEN PETE GRUM — BOARD MEMBER
- ERIC REICH — BOARD MEMBER
- JORDAN LEVY — BOARD MEMBER
- RON SCHREIBER — BOARD MEMBER
- SHARON RANDACCIO — BOARD MEMBER
- WILLIAM MAGGIO — CHAIRMAN
relationships · 59
Who they work with
- ACV Auctions Partner — Part of the tech-native companies contributing to Buffalo’s growing tech ecosystem, complementing traditional economic sectors.
- Amherst Chamber of Commerce Partner — Partner organization providing an influential business network in Buffalo's Northtowns.
- Buffalo Niagara Partnership Partner — Partner organization engaged in advocacy and chamber of commerce activities to shape a stronger business climate.
- Buffalo Purchasing Initiative Partner — Partner initiative exploring shared purchasing opportunities with local small businesses.
- Endeavor Northeast Partner — Partner organization that mentors, supports, and sponsors scaling companies through its Buffalo chapter.
- Golisano Institute Partner — Collaborates on an innovative talent partnership with Odoo
- Golisano Institute Partner — Partner organization that connects businesses to emerging business talent in Buffalo.
- GrowthX Partner — Partner organization connecting businesses to innovative startups that solve real business challenges.
- Hunt Real Estate Partner — Partnered with Hunt Real Estate, the organization behind the r-House radio show.
- Invest Buffalo Niagara Partner — Partner organization that helps businesses locate, expand, and invest in the region.
- JPMorgan Chase Funder — Selected 43North Foundation as the beneficiary of its Corporate Challenge in Buffalo, providing grant funding and recognition.
- JPMorgan Chase Partner — Selected 43North Foundation as the beneficiary of its Corporate Challenge in Buffalo.
- Launch NY Partner — Partner organization that accelerates local entrepreneurship through mentorship and investments.
- M&T Bank Partner — Collaborates with ecosystem partners like M&T Bank to create pathways into tech roles.
- M&T Bank Partner — Provides equipment and volunteers in support of Family Code Nights, a program connected to 43North Foundation-supported initiatives.
- Makeoff Partner — Supported the launch of Makeoff, a startup developed by Radial Ventures that uses AI to generate electrical contracting estimates.
- Microsoft Partner — Collaborates with TechBuffalo, a partner organization supported by 43North Foundation, through program support and national visibility.
- Microsoft Partner — Supports TechBuffalo’s partnership with Microsoft on the TechSpark and Innovation Fellows programs.
- Moog Inc. Partner — Works with advanced manufacturers such as Moog Inc. that are integrating software and engineering in high-tech roles.
- New York State Government — State-funded the original 43North startup competition initiative.
- Nichols School Partner — Co-launched a strategic partnership with TechBuffalo to lead AI education and readiness for students and educators.
- Nichols School Partner — Implements AI education model supported by Radial Ventures, serving as inaugural pilot school for broader Western New York expansion.
- Odoo Partner — Part of the tech-native companies ascending in Buffalo, contributing to regional innovation and job creation.
- Odoo Partner — Partner in an innovative talent partnership with Golisano Institute and TechBuffalo
- Radial Ventures Partner — Collaborates with Radial Ventures on startup creation as part of the Foundation's strategic pillars.
- Radial Ventures Partner — Collaborates with Radial Ventures through shared event participation and speaker contributions at the Accelerate AI event.
- Radial Ventures Partner — Collaborates with Radial Ventures, a venture studio using AI-backed validation to bring high-growth tech startups to market in Buffalo.
- Radial Ventures Partner — Created Radial Ventures as a venture studio to generate high-growth tech startups in Buffalo.
- Radial Ventures Partner — Partner organization operating as the venture studio to create new cutting-edge companies.
- Radial Ventures Partner — Partner organization that builds high-growth companies and provides AI consulting services in Buffalo.
+ 29 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Corporate Engagement as Catalyst for Innovation Economymethodology: corporate_ecosystem_engagementBy engaging established businesses as investors, customers, and partners through consultative and centralized connection models, the foundation strengthens the local startup ecosystem because corporate resources and market access validate and scale startups while aligning regional economic interests.
- Invest in Innovation to Catalyze Regional Growthmethodology: investment-in-innovationBy investing in organizations, ideas, and innovation, the foundation aims to produce technological advancement and economic growth in the Buffalo/Niagara region because targeted capital infusion accelerates high-potential ventures and strengthens the regional innovation ecosystem.
- Multi-Pillar Ecosystem Building with Coordinated Strategymethodology: multi-pillar economic developmentBy steering investment across four strategic pillars—venture creation, talent development, regional storytelling, and corporate-startup connections—the foundation builds a cohesive innovation economy because integrating complementary drivers creates synergistic, systemic change greater than isolated interventions.
- Reinvest Returns to Sustain the Startup Ecosystemmethodology: reinvestment_modelBy reinvesting financial returns from successful startups and competitions into the local ecosystem, the foundation sustains long-term growth because cyclical reinvestment builds self-sustaining momentum in venture creation and talent development.
- Venture Studio Model for Scalable Tech Startupsmethodology: venture_studio_modelBy using a proprietary AI-native venture studio model to validate ideas and rapidly develop minimum viable products, the foundation increases the number of high-quality, scalable tech startups because systematic market validation and accelerated development reduce time-to-market and increase venture success rates.