Empire State Development Announces Five Winners of Final 43North Startup Competition

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Official release

Source material from New York Empire State Development. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Five Startups Awarded $1 Million Investments at Final 43North Finals in Buffalo

Empire State Development today announced the five winners of the 2026 43North startup competition, awarding a combined $5 million to the founders selected to join the 43North portfolio. The winners were announced live on stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, where eight finalists pitched their businesses live for the opportunity to receive a $1 million investment and grow their companies in Buffalo.

More than 3,000 people gathered at Shea’s for the “final Finals,” where five prominent investors and industry leaders evaluated the competition’s last contenders. The event brought together founders, alumni, investors, partners, and supporters from across the 43North community for a night celebrating the finalists and the businesses they are building. The five winning companies represent several innovative industries and include companies from three states, as well as one Buffalo-based company.

“For more than a decade, 43North has demonstrated the power of investing in entrepreneurs and giving them the resources to turn bold ideas into successful businesses,” Governor Hochul said. “The companies that have come through the competition have brought new jobs, investment, and innovation to Buffalo, strengthening the region’s economy. Backed by $5 million in state support, this year’s winners have the opportunity to build on their ideas, grow their businesses, and contribute to the continued momentum of Western New York. I congratulate the winning companies and everyone who has helped make 43North an important part of Buffalo’s economic future.”

With the addition of this year’s winners, the 43North portfolio totals 84 companies and $56.5 million in investments since the competition launched in 2014. The milestone comes as 43North celebrates 12 years of connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities to build and grow their businesses in Buffalo.

43North Board of Directors Chair Pete Grum said, “From its first competition to tonight’s final Finals, 43North has brought an extraordinary range of entrepreneurs to Buffalo and built a portfolio that reflects the innovation happening across industries and markets. What began as an ambitious idea has grown into 84 companies and a lasting presence in Western New York. As we welcome these five companies to the portfolio, we’re proud to see them become part of that history and to recognize all that 43North has helped build in Buffalo.”

The 2026 43North winners are:

Airbuild INC. – Portland, OR

Airbuild turns wastewater treatment plants into fertilizer microfactories, recovering the nutrients cities discard and returning them to the soil as Terraforming Fertilizer.

JECA Energy Bars – Buffalo, NY

JECA produces energy bars with a focus on clean-label and real non-ultra-processed whole food ingredients for retail and direct-to-consumer distribution.

Leansite – Arlington, TX

LeanSite is an AI-powered facilities operations platform that helps multi-site organizations manage maintenance, vendors, assets, compliance, and work orders from one system.

Playground – Rochester, NY

Playground is an award-winning brand building a trusted destination in women’s intimate wellness in one of the largest yet most underserved categories in consumer health.

Valene Health – New York, NY

Valene Health’s AI-native clinical operating system automates clinical, operational, and financial workflows for health systems and payers to reduce readmissions, lower costs, and expand care capacity.

People’s Choice Award

43North Finals also gave the audience a chance to have a voice in the competition. JECA Energy Bars was selected as the recipient of the $25,000 People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, following a live audience vote.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “For more than a decade, 43North has demonstrated the lasting impact that strategic investment in entrepreneurs can have on a city and a region. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is proud to have supported a program that has helped bring innovative companies, new jobs, and private investment to Buffalo while strengthening Western New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. As we celebrate this final competition and welcome this final cohort, we congratulate the five winning companies and look forward to seeing them build on the incredible foundation 43North and our state have created.”

In January 2027, the five selected companies will begin their full-year incubation with 43North. In addition to the $1 million investments, each company will receive Class A office space in Seneca One Tower, a full year of programming, and high-touch support designed to help them grow. Through mentorship and connection to investors, business leaders and local talent, 43North will help the founders build their teams, strengthen their businesses and establish roots in Western New York.

The 43North business accelerator is funded by New York State and receives support from Empire State Development to operate its competitions.

43North President Colleen Heidinger added, “Tonight, we’re proud to welcome five exceptional companies into 43North’s 12th and final cohort. Each of these founders earned the opportunity to build their next chapter in Buffalo, joining a portfolio that has demonstrated what’s possible when ambitious entrepreneurs, committed partners, and an entire community come together around a shared belief in what’s possible. While this marks the final 43North competition, the importance of supporting founders, creating jobs, and strengthening Buffalo’s innovation economy will continue. We’re excited to stand behind these companies as they put our investment to work, build meaningful relationships across our region and become part of the momentum that will carry Buffalo forward for years to come.”

As 43North reaches this milestone, its commitment to supporting Buffalo’s entrepreneurial community will continue through the 43North Foundation. The Foundation will build on 43North’s decade-plus impact by supporting programs, partnerships, and initiatives that strengthen the region’s startup ecosystem and help entrepreneurs grow in Western New York.

About 43North

43North was created in 2014 to attract high-growth companies in Buffalo and give entrepreneurs the opportunity to build and scale their businesses in Western New York. Through the competition, 43North has provided funding, free incubator space, mentorship, and access to investors, business leaders, and other resources to help companies grow. The program has supported startups across a wide variety of industries, with founders representing communities and markets around the world. Funding for 43N program activities has been provided in part by ESD, M&T Bank Foundation, and several other sponsors. For more information about 43North, visit 43north.org.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

Contact:

Laura Magee (ESD) | [email protected] | (716) 846-8239 | (800) 260-7313

Christian Gaddis (43North) | [email protected] | (954) 821-6313

Release text attributed to New York Empire State Development. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.