Cultivator - UBuffalo

Cultivator - UBuffalo $100k + mentors for early-stage startups in WNY, powered by UB Business & Entrepreneur Partnerships No previous affiliation with UB is required to participate.

Cultivator is an early-stage startup program from the University at Buffalo's Business & Entrepreneur Partnerships team, designed to help build our region's next great companies. Here, people with big ideas and go-getters in the five counties of Western New York access mentorship and support to turn their adventures into profitable ventures. Learn more: buffalo.edu/cultivator

Building a startup takes more than a good idea – it takes insight, guidance and connections. StartingLine: Startup Essen...
06/03/2026

Building a startup takes more than a good idea – it takes insight, guidance and connections. StartingLine: Startup Essentials gives early-stage entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn directly from leaders in the Buffalo startup ecosystem.

For this cohort, we're excited to welcome back Winson Wong, CEO and co-founder of Afterlife Ag and entrepreneur-in-residence for UB Business & Entrepreneur Partnerships; Akruti Babaria, CEO and founder of Kulture Khazana, a Cultivator program graduate; and Lauren Washington, Senior Associate Director of Startup Ventures at BEP to our instructor lineup.

Learn more about StartingLine and our next cohort, beginning June 16: https://www.buffalo.edu/partnerships/about/programs/startingline.html

StartingLine: Startup Essentials gives aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn directly from fou...
05/28/2026

StartingLine: Startup Essentials gives aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn directly from founders, investors and startup leaders working in the startup ecosystem every day.

This cohort, participants will hear from Jay Katz, Director of the Innovation Venture Capital Fund at NY Ventures; Kevin Siskar, CEO and co-founder of Finta, a Cultivator graduate and Buffalo Innovation Seed Fund recipient; and Michael Schick, Startup Battlefield Operations Manager and Event Coordinator at TechCrunch.

Through presentations, panel discussions and breakout conversations, StartingLine helps participants build practical knowledge around startups, fundraising, pitching and moving an idea forward.

There’s still time to join our June 16 cohort! Apply by June 1: https://www.buffalo.edu/partnerships/about/programs/startingline.html

The latest news from Cultivator is out – with opportunities, updates and startup stories from across WNY.In this issue: ...
05/21/2026

The latest news from Cultivator is out – with opportunities, updates and startup stories from across WNY.

In this issue: upcoming events, Cultivator company milestones, programs for founders shaping early ideas + practical ways supports entrepreneurs at every stage.

Read our full Work in Progress newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/buffalo/cultivator-newsletter-26-5

What do early-stage founders get from StartingLine? A practical place to test ideas, cover the startup basics and build ...
05/19/2026

What do early-stage founders get from StartingLine? A practical place to test ideas, cover the startup basics and build a stronger pitch.

StartingLine: Startup Essentials is a free three-week virtual program from UB Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs.

No prior startup experience is needed – just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

The next cohort starts June 16. Apply by June 1: https://www.buffalo.edu/partnerships/about/programs/startingline.html

Series B Buffalo highlights Nara Therapy, a   Cultivator company building in Western New York.Through UB’s Cultivator pr...
05/12/2026

Series B Buffalo highlights Nara Therapy, a Cultivator company building in Western New York.

Through UB’s Cultivator program, the team has sharpened its model, tested its market and built momentum with guidance from entrepreneurs-in-residence and advisors.

Read more ➡ https://bit.ly/3Rs13Mr

Have an idea for a startup, but not sure what to do next? StartingLine: Startup Essentials gives aspiring founders a cle...
05/11/2026

Have an idea for a startup, but not sure what to do next?

StartingLine: Startup Essentials gives aspiring founders a clear place to begin – and is now the first official micro-credential offered by UB Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships.

This free, three-week program helps early-stage entrepreneurs learn what it takes to build a scalable business and shape their idea into a stronger pitch. Participants learn through virtual sessions, expert presentations, peer collaboration and feedback from UB faculty and startup leaders.

Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship for the first time or preparing to apply to accelerator programs like ’s Cultivator, StartingLine gives you a strong foundation to build from.

Learn more and apply at https://tinyurl.com/yjsvd5hz

That’s a wrap on 2026 Buffalo Startup Week!To the panelists, founders, investors, partners and hundreds of other attende...
04/27/2026

That’s a wrap on 2026 Buffalo Startup Week!

To the panelists, founders, investors, partners and hundreds of other attendees who participated last week – thank you. You proved (again) that Buffalo’s entrepreneurial community is one of the most collaborative in the country.
Thanks to our sponsors Series (B)uffalo, Ernst & Young Global Consulting Services, Newmark Ciminelli, Serendipity Labs, Bootsector and the team at BEP for supporting this incredible week.

Until next year, Buffalo. Keep building.

Don’t miss this unstoppable quartet of female founders sharing how they scaled their companies all the way to the shelve...
04/21/2026

Don’t miss this unstoppable quartet of female founders sharing how they scaled their companies all the way to the shelves at major national retailers. Hear from Sharon Cryan, FoodNerd; Rebecca Brady, Top Seedz ; and Cultivator company founders Ree Dolnick, JECA Energy Bars and Leslie Woodward, Edenesque on April 23, 2:30-3:15pm at Seneca One Auditorium.

Learn more and register ➡️ https://bit.ly/4lFvB8M

BEP’s Sophia Marshall and Lauren Washington will sit down with Daytime Buffalo host Chelsea Lovell on News 4 WIVB Buffal...
04/20/2026

BEP’s Sophia Marshall and Lauren Washington will sit down with Daytime Buffalo host Chelsea Lovell on News 4 WIVB Buffalo Monday 4/20 at 3pm to talk about all things Buffalo Startup Week – which is happening now!

Learn more and register for Buffalo Startup Week ➡️ https://bit.ly/4lFvB8M

Buffalo Startup Week includes WNY48 Startup in a Weekend (April 17–19)—a high-energy, 48-hour sprint where you’ll pitch ...
04/15/2026

Buffalo Startup Week includes WNY48 Startup in a Weekend (April 17–19)—a high-energy, 48-hour sprint where you’ll pitch ideas, form teams and build real products with support from 20+ expert mentors. No experience needed. With $8,500+ in prizes, exclusive winner perks, and a final pitch to local judges, it’s the perfect way to jumpstart a business idea. (In-person participation required for prize eligibility.) Use promo code CEL for 50% off your registration! Tickets: https://bit.ly/3OHsQHO
Scan the QR code for more info.

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701 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, NY
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