The 43 North Business Plan Competition Finals took place at Shea’s on Thursday, October 28, 2021.
Derek gee
Top Seedz, a Buffalo maker of artisanal crackers and toasted seeds made with organic ingredients, on Thursday won the $ 1 million grand prize in the 43North contest at Shea’s Buffalo Theater.
The 43North competition returned this year after a one-year hiatus. The state-backed competition aims to develop startups in Buffalo and encourages them to stay based here beyond their one-year obligation. 43North also gets a 5% stake in their businesses.
Top Seedz’s Rebecca Brady presents to the judges at the 43North Business Plan Competition Finals at Shea’s on Thursday, October 28, 2021.
Derek gee
Ten finalists faced off on stage Thursday before a panel of six judges. They had two minutes to make their arguments and then answered questions. Four of them were locally based. The last local startup to win the competition was ACV Auctions, in 2015.
The 10 finalists moved from a qualifying round, ahead of another group of judges, to the Seneca One tower on Wednesday. Nine other finalists were not selected.
This was the seventh edition of the 43North competition. The 10 finalists who reached the stadium emerged from a pool of 320 applicants this year.
Master of Ceremonies Bill Maggio, President of the 43North Foundation, welcomes the audience to the 43 North Business Plan Competition Finals at Shea’s on Thursday, October 28, 2021.
Derek gee
It was the first time that the competition had taken place since the ACV went public. ACV had already become the region’s first startup “unicorn” surpassing $ 1 billion in valuation.
In addition to the top million dollar winner, seven finalists took home $ 500,000 each on Thursday. They are:
