Fifteen startups have advanced to the semifinals of New York's final 43North competition, where companies will compete for five $1 million investments and a place in the Buffalo-based program's last cohort.
The semifinalists will pitch Oct. 7 at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in Buffalo. Eight companies will then advance to the finals at 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at Shea's Performing Arts Center, with five selected for $1 million investments.
The semifinal field was chosen from 670 applications submitted by entrepreneurs in 63 countries and 41 states. Seventy-one investors and industry experts reviewed applications and worked with founders during the selection process, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office.
The semifinals and finals are free and open to the public. Tickets for the Oct. 7 round are available through 43North, while tickets for the Oct. 8 finals were scheduled to become available Sept. 15.
Finalists will receive funding and support
The five winners will each receive a $1 million investment and enter 43North's Year 12 cohort for a year of programming in 2027. The companies will also receive mentorship, office space, investor connections and other support intended to help them establish and grow operations in Buffalo.
Selecting the five companies would bring 43North's total direct investment to $56.5 million and expand its portfolio to 84 businesses. The competition began in 2014 as an economic development program designed to attract high-growth companies to Western New York.
Hochul said the program has helped Buffalo attract founders from the United States and abroad. Empire State Development President and CEO Hope Knight said the state's investment was intended to support job growth and build the region's startup economy.
Companies span technology, health and food
The semifinalists include Actuality AI of Toronto, which automates responses to requests for proposals for architecture, engineering and construction firms, and Airbuild of Portland, Oregon, which develops systems that recover nutrients from wastewater and turn them into fertilizer.
CareAtlas of Salt Lake City offers an artificial intelligence care-management platform for primary care practices. COI Energy of Brooklyn operates a virtual battery network intended to help businesses manage unused energy capacity.
Hera Health Solutions of Memphis develops long-acting versions of existing drugs, while Buffalo-based JECA Energy Bars produces energy bars using whole-food ingredients. LeanSite offers an AI platform for organizations managing facilities, maintenance, vendors, assets and compliance across multiple locations; the state release did not list its headquarters.
Neurath AI of New York City builds tools designed to flag unreliable AI outputs in fields such as manufacturing, medicine and defense. Pardon AI, also based in New York City, uses customer behavior data to automate pricing, product sorting and marketing decisions for restaurants, hotels, retailers and e-commerce companies.
Playground develops products in the women's intimate wellness market; the release did not list its headquarters. New York City-based SAIL makes an AI trade-compliance platform for product classification, duty analysis and audit records.
SpecVision uses AI and computer vision to identify, assess and support transactions involving heavy equipment, though the release did not identify its home city. Valene Health of New York City builds an AI clinical operating system for health systems and insurers.
VoicePlug AI of Palo Alto, California, develops voice-ordering systems for restaurants, including phone, drive-thru and kiosk orders and reservations. Buffalo-based Ziffy.ai, also known as Home Abroad, combines rental-property analysis with financing tools for real estate investors.
Competition ends, foundation work continues
Since 2014, 43North has invested in 79 startups. The governor's office said those companies later raised more than $1 billion in additional capital and created more than 3,000 jobs worldwide, with 60% of portfolio companies maintaining a Western New York presence.
More than 25,000 applications from founders in 134 countries have been submitted during the competition's run. This year's companies cover fields including clean technology, agricultural technology, software and artificial intelligence.
The startup competition will end after this year's cohort, but the organization plans to continue working through the 43North Foundation. The foundation is expected to support programs and partnerships for entrepreneurs and the regional startup network.
43North has received funding from Empire State Development, the M&T Bank Foundation and other sponsors. Empire State Development is New York's economic development agency and oversees programs intended to support businesses and workforce development across the state's 10 regions.
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