Voice of Business Blog

Buffalo, N.Y., May 5, 2025 – The Springboard 2025 prize program launched today and will award at least $500,000 to ecosystem builders focused on activities, networking, and events that grow and expand the entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout WNY. One round of prizes ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 will be awarded in 2025. The application process is simple and easy. Applications must be submitted online and are due June 10, 2025. 

This is the second year of the competition. The program is designed to incentivize a new wave of participants, energy, and entrepreneurial activity. It will create storytelling opportunities and generate positive momentum and goodwill across the broader ecosystem. Multiple winners be will chosen by a panel of judges. 

This year’s promotional partners are The Exchange at Beverly Gray, Olean BDC, NextCorps, 43 North, LaunchNY, Southern Tier West, and OneRoc. Program implementation is again being led by Main Light Strategies and the Center for Regional Strategies. Funding is provided by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. 

"Springboard’s unique strategy focuses on backing the builders of a healthy, connected entrepreneurial ecosystem, shifting the focus from isolated success to collective growth. This approach recognizes the impact that can happen when entrepreneurs are supported not just with capital, but with culture, collaboration, and long-term relationships,” said Paul Riser, Senior Program Officer, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “Through this competition, Springboard is advancing projects and programs that empower local founders and strengthen the ecosystem for lasting success by driving economic momentum from the inside out." 

Springboard 2025 judges are Sharon Cryan, founder and CEO of FoodNerd, a Buffalo- based food technology company with a mission to revolutionize the way food is processed and consumed; Kamal Patel, a partner in the Good Neighbor Fund and Head of Product at AireXpert; Khadesha Okwudili, founder and CEO of Agape, a relationship wellness platform; Omar Bakht, chief executive officer of Advanced Gene Transfer Co. with over ten years of experience in technology commercialization, university start-ups, and bioscience ventures; and Jack Greco, Founder of Cupule Ventures, LLC and board member of Engio/AireXpert. 

 

Eligibility 

Applicants must have an Employee Identification Number (EIN) and be located in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans or Wyoming county to apply. Eligible types of applicants include: 

• Non-profit or for-profit entrepreneur support organizations 

• Local school districts grades K-12 

• Local colleges and universities that have programs to support up-and-coming entrepreneurs 

• Capital providers including seed stage funds, angel groups, venture capital funds, and CDFIs 

• Entrepreneurs with an existing company including sole proprietorships 

Requests for funding need to focus on: (1) organizing, hosting, producing, and/or managing events, networking activities, or developing connections and learning for entrepreneurs in WNY and/or learning from and travel to peer markets outside of Western New York and (2) all events, activities, and peer learning cohorts must include some programming/learning element with a focus on entrepreneurship, ecosystem building, and/or innovation programming/knowledge sharing (speakers, workshop, curricula, etc.) Some examples include, but are not limited to: 

• Networking, events, activities that expand the ecosystem, provide learning, share information, and build networks. 

• Entrepreneurship competitions, demo days, hackathons, etc. 

• Regional Start-Up weeks/weekends or other large-scale events that appeal to a wide audience including outside of WNY, including but not limited to, investors, talent, WNY diaspora, etc. 

• Events (ranging from hyper-local to regional) organized around a specific entrepreneurship theme or topic or set of topics. 

• Competitively selected entrepreneurs as part of a learning cohort (including travel) to peer cities (i.e., Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Indianapolis, etc.) 

• Existing events such as coffee clubs, meet-ups, etc. that include new entrepreneurship-related programming. 

• Investor days, venture lectures, Investing 101, familiarization tours of other, outside aspirational ecosystems. 

General Timeline 

May 5: Application period opens. June 10: Applications due. 

June – July: Application review, short-list, interviews/pitches and scoring; Winners selected and notified. 

Late July: Award event held in Buffalo to announce all 2025 winners. More details are available at www.SpringboardNY.org 

About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation 

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect the devotion of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org. 

About the Center for Regional Strategies 

The Center for Regional Strategies is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focusing on planning, developing and implementing economic growth strategies to build sustainable community wealth, especially in underserved areas. Wealth-building strategies focus on the core foundational principles of Placemaking, Workforce and Small Business Development. 

 

About Main Light Strategies 

Main Light Strategies is a Buffalo, New York-based strategic consulting firm that specializes in helping communities and companies achieve meaningful objectives in the areas of economic development, large-scale public-private partnerships, and professional sports and entertainment.