Grow Your Business
Accelerate your Start Up Company in Buffalo Niagara
Increase in Startup Funding Accessibility
Streamlined funding processes and expert guidance have led to a significant 75% increase in startup funding accessibility in Buffalo Niagara, empowering entrepreneurs to secure the capital they need to fuel growth and innovation.
Expanded Coworking Spaces
With a 50% rise in amenity-rich coworking spaces, startups in Buffalo Niagara now have access to tailored workspace solutions that cater to their evolving needs, fostering creativity, collaboration, and productivity.
Enhanced Collaboration
Thanks to the collaborative ecosystem in Buffalo Niagara, startup success rates have seen a remarkable 60% boost. By fostering a culture of collaboration and providing tailored support services, the region has become a hotspot for entrepreneurial growth and innovation.
FIND START UP FUNDING FOR YOUR FUTURE
Live your Best Startup Life in Buffalo Niagara, an Entrepreneur’s Dream Culture
Empowering Success
Startup Dreams Take Flight
Toolkit
Our resources and services make it easier than ever to start a business here.
Invest Buffalo Niagara serves as a single point of entry for economic development inquiries and offers a comprehensive suite of client-driven project management services to companies and consultants evaluating the market area.
Startup Podcasts
You’re in good company and surrounded by strong startup resources. Hear from leaders in the startup ecosystem. We can make introductions.
Demographic Analysis
Explore our Buffalo Niagara demographics dashboard plus our Manufacturing and Technology specific data. We can also provide custom data.
Well-education Workforce
Buffalo Niagara benefits from 19 colleges and universities graduating 20,000+ annually. Discover your sources of talent.
Site Selection
Generate property data reports, and search commercial real estate listings. Our team can run a custom search for you and schedule tours.
Incentives
On top of the already low cost of doing business in Buffalo Niagara, the region offers qualifying businesses growing in WNY a number of incentive opportunities. We help companies through the application process.
Service Providers
Our region boasts a robust transportation infrastructure and benefits from strong utility partners who we are happy to introduce you to.
Startup Funding
You have the next big idea, but do you have the financial resources to make it happen? Our region works hard to connect entrepreneurs with the startup funding needed to bring their concept to fruition. The Buffalo Niagara entrepreneurial ecosystem has found a perfect balance between local funding resources and attracting outside venture capital. Plus, the region’s affordability – both for businesses and employees – helps to lengthen your runway. Here are some local startup funding resources:
Incubators & Accelerators
In Buffalo Niagara, these organizations vary in size and specialties, catering to the needs of diverse startups. Many have affiliations with local colleges and universities, offering access to research partnerships, funding opportunities, and campus resources. Some are even designated as START-UP NY spaces, providing a 100% tax-free incentive for a decade.
Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces offer diverse amenities tailored to your needs including plug-and-play options for flexible office spaces, reliable WiFi, vibrant atmospheres, and ample coffee. Buffalo Niagara knows the importance of amenity-rich and community building spaces – and we have plenty of options.
Success Breeds Success
ACV Auctions became Buffalo’s first software unicorn, with a valuation over $1 billion, more than 1,000 employees, and a successful IPO on the NASDAQ in 2021. Another local tech company – Tackle.io, closed a $100 million Series C round of venture capital funding, bringing the company’s valuation to $1.25 billion as Buffalo’s second unicorn. 32 local startups raised private, growth-oriented capital in 2021.
Hear from Sallie Reid & Greg Borowski of ACV Auctions in a brief video. We discuss their growth and success, what advantages Buffalo offers them, and the WNY talent pool.
Resource Guide
Your success is our success, we don’t stop until you win!
From bustling retail hubs to cutting-edge tech centers, experience unprecedented growth unlike anything seen in over 50 years. Our comprehensive guide provides essential insights including transportation access, demographics, workforce trends, real estate comparisons, industry-specific data, and beyond. Dive into the excitement and uncover a world of opportunity in Buffalo Niagara.
HOW WE HELP
We've made it simple and painless to grow your business in Buffalo Niagara.
The team of professional economic development consultants at Invest Buffalo Niagara provides free and confidential services to companies considering the Buffalo Niagara region.
Book a Discovery Call
Determine if your company is right for Buffalo Niagara.
Let us Manage your Start up Expansion Project
From research to ribbon cutting -- we’ve got you covered.
Find Success in Buffalo Niagara
Our services don’t end there. Upon expansion or relocation, we are here to provide connections to hiring agencies, media contacts, and more to help ensure your success.
Wins & Success Stories
See Buffalo Niagara Success Stories
Success Story
Cimolai
Cimolai is a worldwide designer, supplier, and builder of complex steel structures including bridges, stadiums, utility structures, and more. The company has worked on the new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Hans Wilsdorf Bridge in Switzerland, and more. The company was founded in 1949 and grew exponentially in a post-war, industrialization era.
Incentives: NYPA ReCharge, Empire State Development Excelsior Jobs Program, and Cattaraugus County IDA sales tax abatement
Success Story
Plug Power
Plug Power is a fuel cell company that is “reimagining the energy ecosystem.” The company is building an end-to-end hydrogen power ecosystem including hydrogen production, storage, and delivery with the goal of assisting in the clean energy transfer and decarbonizing the modern economy. Plug Power’s fuel cells will enable the adoption of zero-emission freight transport and logistics handling equipment. The company already had operations in the Albany, NY area and was looking to expand its production capabilities further.
Incentives: Excelsior Job Tax Credits, IDA Tax Abatements, NYPA: Hydropower Allocation, WNY Power Proceeds Program
Success Story
Zoom Zoom
Zoom Zoom is a ride-sharing company founded in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The company founder began offering rides during his time at university. As the business grew, Walid began building a back-end platform and app for ride-sharing customers. Walid realized the opportunity to expand his business to a similar market in the U.S., offering a more local option for ride-sharing customers.
Incentives: Startup NY
Success Story
John Bead
Founded in 1953, John Bead is now under direction by its third-generation owner. Headquartered in Toronto, the company assembles specialty bead and craft kits sold wholesale to large retailers, DIY jewelry makers via a retail outlet, and everyone in between. The company had long considered a U.S. expansion to capture further market growth and avoid logistic delays. John Bead’s leadership team wanted a U.S. location in close proximity to its Toronto headquarters, as well as a strong workforce that would allow its family-oriented values to permeate through the new operation.
Incentives: Empire State Development Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits
Success Story
Sierra Biological Inc.
Sierra Biological is an early-stage agri-business company that manufactures microscopic nematodes and other biological organisms used by the commercial greenhouse industry and other agricultural applications. Sierra’s products offer growers a highly effective and economical alternative to using pesticides in their growing process.
The company was originally founded in the Sierra Mountains of Northern California. However, the company’s primary upstream and downstream supply chains were both located on the U.S. East Coast and in Southern Ontario, Canada, prompting them to consider a relocation.
In addition to proximity, costs and workforce, Sierra needed to find a building that met its needs and a welcoming community.
Success Story
Electrovaya
Electrovaya is a Canadian manufacturer of Lithium-ion batteries. The company is focused on the clean energy transfer and prevention of climate change through the supply of the safest and longest lasting batteries in the market. Electrovaya explored a U.S. expansion to ramp up production of batteries within the warehouse distribution and transportation vertical. With its Canadian headquarters based in Mississauga, Ontario, Buffalo Niagara, and its close proximity, was a natural fit for U.S. expansion.
Incentives: Empire State Development Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits, New York Power Authority Hydropower Allocation, Property Tax Abatement, Mortgage Tax Abatement, Sales Tax Abatement
Blog
Top stories & updates in the Buffalo Niagara region
Four Things I’ve Learned Since Starting my Career in Buffalo
InBN Insights with Tom Kucharski, Celebrating 25 Years
WNY’s Dairy Heritage: Stronger Than Ever
Establish an Address In the U.S. Instantly
3 Reasons Food Processors Thrive in Buffalo Niagara
The Robots are Coming!: Buffalo Featured in Top Publication
Prioritizing Company Needs for Business Growth in Buffalo Niagara
Businesses in Buffalo Niagara Benefit from a Thriving Can-Am Partnership
Canadian Citizens Engaging in Business Activities in the U.S.
Upstate New York Receives Tech Hub Designation, Funding
Get started and discover why Buffalo Niagara is the right choice.
