Stories from Economy Builders

Young Entrepreneurs Advance: Growing a Youth Entrepreneurship Pipeline enhances opportunities for youth to explore the world of business and product creation.

WebBiz Launchpad is a comprehensive training program that equips underserved young adults with the skills of website creation using Squarespace and fundamental business development.

Olivia Goldstein talks about what the 2025 Springboard prize funding will do for her organization.

Connected Communities will develop a business association in Rochester’s Beechwood/EMMA neighborhoods, and a pitch competition that prioritizes community-based entrepreneurs.

The Community-Based Real Estate Development Program provided training to East Side residents and building owners in commercial real estate development.

Emerging Entrepreneurs Coaching Launchpad is a series of sessions that offer a comprehensive learning experience to entrepreneurs at the beginning of their business journeys.

Brick by Brick Peer Mentoring initiative provides access to resources, mentors and brand visibility to support an ecosystem of emerging food entrepreneurs.

Angel Investor Education Workshops are two half-day, in-person fundamentals of angel investing workshops in Buffalo and Rochester.

Jack Greco talks about why he served as judge for the 2025 Springboard prize program and the importance of supporting entrepreneurs in WNY.

Dave Egner, CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, shares how Springboard was created to carry on Mr. Wilson’s entrepreneurial spirit, providing opportunities and funding to programs that help other entrepreneurs in WNY.

The Empowering Rural Women Entrepreneurs in the Southern Tier initiative addresses barriers to entrepreneurship, such as limited networks and restricted resources, in this rural community.

The Solutions Hub is a modern, technology-driven coworking and multi-purpose event space that provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses.

East Side Avenues’ partners define what capacity building means to them and how it is making their organizations and programs thrive.

After retirement, Gio wanted to contribute to his hometown’s economic revitalization, so he opened a cigar shop on Jefferson Avenue. Commercial Districts funding helped make it a welcoming, social destination.

East Side Avenue’s Commercial Building Stabilization funding was a “dream come true” for Dr. Uzo. It allowed him to save a former chocolate factory/historic building where he now runs a UPS Store with his son.

Megan McNally talks about what the 2025 Springboard prize funding will do for her organization.

Three students tell us why they are thankful they took this extensive, hands-on class and their plans for the future.

Coffeepreneurs Larry and Jackie Stitts hope to take a dilapidated old supermarket and turn it into a community gathering place. Building stabilization funding will help make their dream become a reality.

Through collaborative capacity building and major capital investment, progress is being made to reactivate this iconic community anchor.

The once-bustling Niagara Frontier Food Terminal played a huge part in Buffalo’s early economy. Building stabilization funding will help preserve it and reimagine it into the future.

A new headquarters, formalized infrastructure, full-time staff and long-term plan are just the beginning. Continued capital and programming enhancements will transform the corridor into a world-class historical and cultural destination.

Board member Annie O’Neil-White tells us how she was inspired by people's stories and admiration for this beloved historic treasure.

Angelo worked at Ted Banks Auto Service growing up. Now he has the chance to buy and save that building from demolition thanks to two East Side Avenues programs.

An Underground Railroad station, providing escaped slaves sanctuary before crossing to freedom in Canada, is being preserved.

Small Business on the Job Training Program connects job seekers with employers and provides training costs for the first weeks of employment.

IncubatorWorks promotes economic development in the Southern Tier of New York by supporting entrepreneurial growth and development of businesses. Springboard funding will support two cohorts of business accelerator classes for entrepreneurs in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties for six to eight entrepreneurs.

Local Program Administrators tell us why it’s so important to the economy to create and maintain vibrant commercial corridors by supporting small business renovations and improvements.

You can hear the excitement in Terry’s voice: an underground-railroad-connected church is stabilized; museum enhancements are complete; the music club’s expansion is visible. Big things are happening on Michigan Street!

After taking a commercial development class, Ellen feels ready to take on a significant redevelopment project. She plans to create a multi-use facility her community can take pride in.

The Farmer Leadership Circle Program is an inclusionary approach to support leaders and build organizational capacity related to fresh foods and farmland through enhanced mentorship.

At the Springboard Speaker Series, top investors shared their advice for founders: if you’re going to take the leap as an entrepreneur, you need strong conviction in what you’re building.

Omar Bakht talks about why he served as judge for the 2025 Springboard prize program and the importance of supporting entrepreneurs in WNY.

Paul Riser from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation talks about how and why the Springboard program was developed.

With help from the Commercial Building Stabilization Fund, Michael and his business partner are restoring a historic theater and creating “a cultural art center like Buffalo has never seen.”

With the help of NY State funding, dedicated beer enthusiast John Domres is revitalizing a historic Buffalo brewery, creating a brewing museum and even moving his family into the renovated space.

Leroy Love has served generations of Buffalonians in his street-side shop, where customers are “king.” Commercial Districts funding will allow for substantial updates before he passes the shop down to his sons.

The Internship and Resource Impact: Empowering Small Business Growth initiative offers students hands-on experience while giving small businesses support at no cost.

Cafecito Tempranito On the Road – Entrepreneur Support Program provides funding and a platform for Latina entrepreneurs and leaders to showcase their stories. 

The Go Getta Academy is an immersive media training program that provides skills and knowledge to create engaging podcasts, develop strong public speaking and build their brands.

East Side Commercial Districts and New York State funding helped a historic bakery get a fresh facade; expand its footprint and workforce; and maintain its long-standing city location.

Jordan Walbesser talks about what the 2025 Springboard prize funding will do for his organization.

James Morell used to ride by this majestic beacon on his bike as a kid. Now, as Board Chair, he’s helping to lead the very large-scale task of restoring and repurposing this art deco masterpiece.

Business Etiquette Course for Women Entrepreneurs merges critical business knowledge with professional interaction skills—promoting the development of successful, enduring businesses.

Treasured lifetime memories are shared by the Board Chair and others who are working to re-establish the Market as a vibrant public shopping hub and attractive regional destination.

Entrepreneurship Training Program for Refugee Women empowers refugee and immigrant women by promoting the sale of their textile goods—inspiring creativity and inclusion through education.

Northland's Executive Director, Stephen Tucker, gives us a tour of this unique training facility and Northland Corridor anchor.

That Brown Bag Minority Business Directory Digital Subscription Project creates a service that gives large companies access to a directory—building direct connections between diverse suppliers and consumers.

Evanette plans to help revive the area she grew up in so it can become the thriving, walkable neighborhood it once was.

Chris Schoepflin of Main Light Strategies talks about how and why the Springboard program was developed.

Cooperative Changemakers Fellowship for Cooperative Entrepreneurs is an intensive training program to help individuals or teams determine their place in the cooperative economy.

Kamal Patel talks about why he served as judge for the 2025 Springboard prize program and the importance of supporting entrepreneurs in WNY.

The startup scene in WNY is growing fast: no longer overlooked, no longer underestimated. At the Springboard Speaker Series, investors from across the country came to see firsthand the opportunities in Western New York that are alive, thriving, and ready for venture capital.

Community-Based Real Estate Development Training student Anita Sanders shares her vision for creating a positive force in her community by building a mixed-use, multi-amenity complex.

Tamara Zantell talks about what the 2025 Springboard prize funding will do for her organization.

200+ founders, investors, and business leaders packed into Hydraulic Hearth to hear from top VCs across the country at the Springboard Speaker Series: Nationwide Trends in Venture Capital in Buffalo, NY. The future of entrepreneurship isn’t just on the coasts anymore; it’s happening right here in WNY!

Hate Your Deck is a course on building strong pitch decks and teaches entrepreneurs how investors think, how storytelling works, and a simple way to tell a company’s story.

Good Neighbor Fund Micro-Grant Program provides micro-grants, entrepreneurial support and community events to under-resourced and underrepresented business founders, primarily at the ideation stage.

When Tommy used to lend a hand at Mike’s as a teen, little did he know that one day he would own the place. Now he’s using Commercial District funds to make upgrades, including a new outdoor patio— the first of its kind in the area.

The Top Tier Professional Program accelerates the talent, entrepreneurship, and knowledge of licensed cosmetologists, barbers, make-up artists, and estheticians.

Former Board Chair, Paul Lang, describes how he believes this one-time “lightning rod for activity” will again see a bright future.

Two trusted, community-based business support organizations are partnering to create a dedicated, hands-on support network to help small businesses on Buffalo’s East Side succeed.

Innovation through Shared Kitchen Incubation provides equipment and specialized support for production and scaling for food-focused entrepreneurs.

Capacity-building funds supported museum consultants and staffing to help preserve and catalogue precious pieces from Buffalo’s black radio history.

The Artist Grants Program provides opportunities to artists to share their craft in innovative entrepreneurial ways and push the conversation forward on what music can offer our world.

The Nash House Museum, the restored the residence Rev. J. Edward Nash, Sr., provides a glimpse into the life of one of WNY’s most influential African-American leaders.

Darold is grateful for the opportunity to learn commercial development from experts and believes completing projects like 590 Leroy lifts the community as a whole.

Dan Gigante talks about what the 2025 Springboard prize funding will do for his organization.

TechRochester fosters online and in-person connections between its members and Rochester area founders to fuel start-up progress and strengthen the Greater Rochester technology community.

Reimagining Foot Traffic Initiatives to Support Local Businesses uses the Bandwango platform to provide data to evaluate the impact of new initiatives and to create contact lists to market repeat visits.

The Expanded Ibero Business Center Services and Pitch Competition supports business training in Niagara Falls and Rochester including business plan preparation and cash flow projections, culminating in a pitch competition.

A long list of jazz legends has passed through the club’s doors. It also has a long history of being a welcoming place for everyone. A state-funded expansion will allow the club to welcome even more.

Adam Utley talks about what the 2025 Springboard prize funding will do for his organization.

New York State funding will help bring this park’s greenhouse back to its original glory, reopen it to the public and reconnect it to the surrounding community.