Nearly 400 eager minds came out for the first annual Entrepreneurs Festival hosted at University at Buffalo’s North Campus Thursday. The summit, sponsored by Blackstone LaunchPad at UB, was an opportunity for students and community members to gain more information on entrepreneurship.
Program Director Hadar Borden told WBFO she was pleased with the overwhelming response. Even onthe eve of the festival, she was confident that many people would come out to benefit from multiple resources that were showcased during the event.
“I think there is a lot of interest in this area. It’s kind of the buzz,” said Borden “Everyone has either watched or heard of Shark Tank so I think there is interest in entrepreneurship.”
The festival also offered budding entrepreneurs networking opportunities with successful business owners. It featured several presentations, including
a speech by Lloyd Taco Factory co-founder Pete Cimino. UB Alumus and entrepreneur Amber Small provided the opening remarks at an event that also included multiple demonstrations. One demonstration in particular featured Jake and Jordan DeCicco. co-founders of SUNNIVA Super Co, a startup coffee company.
Borden explained the goal of Blackstone LaunchPad at UB.
"We are a campus-based entrepreneurship center to help support our students, our alumni, our faculty and to staff to encourage them to take their ideas, what they're researching, what they're passionate about -- and turn it into a startup."
Numerous entities provided information and other resources at the festival, including the 43North business plan competition and the Z80 Labs business incubator.
