More than 130 businesses and nonprofits competed in the New Rapid Prize Competition that will award $600,000 in 2024
On Monday, June 24, NextCorps hosted the first round of Springboard’s Award Ceremonies, celebrating those who are strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and job opportunities across Western New York. As Rochester’s central facility for technology entrepreneurship, NextCorps was a natural fit for the occasion. President Jim Senall emceed the ceremony, providing welcoming remarks and announcing the grant winners.
“The robust response to Springboard, which featured 130 applications, demonstrates that there is a strong, diverse, and growing support system for entrepreneurship throughout the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse regions,” Senall shared. “The ten organizations chosen reflect this diversity and demonstrate the many forms that innovation can take to bolster our ecosystem.”
The ten exceptional organizations that accepted awards, totaling $222,500 in cash prizes, include:
- That Brown Bag Minority Business Directory: $15,000 to develop a subscription-based service connecting diverse suppliers and consumers
- Phli Divas Beauty Salon, Inc.: $25,000 for the Top Tier Professional program aimed at enhancing the skills and entrepreneurial prospects of beauty professionals
- University at Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership: $25,000 for a coaching series designed for emerging entrepreneurs
- Ibero Business Center-WNY: $25,000 to expand business training services in Niagara Falls and Rochester
- The Rochester Commissary: $25,000 to support food-focused entrepreneurs through a kitchen incubation program
- Providence Farm Collective Corp.: $25,000 for the Farmer Leadership Circle Program, which fosters leadership and organizational capacity
- The Foundry: $25,000 for the second phase of its youth entrepreneurship initiative
- Cattaraugus-Allegany Workforce Development Board, Inc.: $25,000 for its Small Business On the Job Training Program
- The Good Neighbor Fund: $25,000 to expand its micro-grant program
- The Local Sound Collaborative, Inc.: $7,500 for its Artist Grants Program, supporting innovative artists
The selection process was thorough, with judges evaluating candidates based on criteria including product or service design, market gaps, target demographics, and the potential benefits to the community. The applause and response from nearly 100 event attendees reflected the community’s engagement and support for entrepreneurial initiatives. Following the award announcements, live jazz music and appetizing food contributed to a vibrant atmosphere as attendees mingled and networked.
The winners of Springboard Round Two are scheduled to be announced on August 22 in Buffalo, with the final round winners to be revealed on October 23 in the Southern Tier. The program, which receives support from collaborators such as the Center for Regional Strategies and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, aims to bolster the entrepreneurial landscape across Western New York.
For more information and comprehensive guidelines to apply, visit www.springboardny.org.