University at Buffalo Cultivator Program

Get up to $100k in pre-seed funding and mentorship for your startup. In UB's Cultivator program, we surround early-stage startup founders in Western New York (WNY) with mentorship and support to help build our region’s next great companies. We pair you with entrepreneurs-in-residence and subject matter experts who have walked in your shoes. Together, we roll up our sleeves to help you validate your market potential, establish marketing plans, gear up to fundraise, and connect with investors and customers. Cultivator has two phases. If your company advances to Phase 2, you’ll receive an investment of up to $100k and free co-working space. We help medium- to high-growth, early-stage startups located in the following Western New York counties: Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany. No previous affiliation with UB is required, and we strongly encourage historically underrepresented founders to apply.