Startup Wednesday

Startup Wednesday Got an idea? Start it here. Weekly sessions for builders, creators, and the curious to collaborate. Join solo or with your team ⬇️

A huge thank you to JMS Talent Partners for sponsoring sign language interpreters at Startup Wednesday Rochester.Because...
07/30/2026

A huge thank you to JMS Talent Partners for sponsoring sign language interpreters at Startup Wednesday Rochester.

Because of their support, Startup Wednesday was more accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees, making it easier to fully participate in presentations, ask questions, and share ideas. We're grateful to have a sponsor that's helping make Startup Wednesday more welcoming for everyone.

When local founders have the space, support, and momentum to build, Buffalo doesn’t need to look elsewhere for what’s ne...
06/08/2026

When local founders have the space, support, and momentum to build, Buffalo doesn’t need to look elsewhere for what’s next. It’s already taking shape right here.

’s coverage of Startup Wednesday reflects something bigger than a single event: a startup ecosystem with the talent, infrastructure, and community buy-in to keep growing from within.

Thank you to Series B for helping tell that story and to everyone making Buffalo a place where early ideas can become real opportunities.

Read it here: https://www.seriesbuffalo.com/articles/lowball-ai-crowned-winner-of-buffalos-first-startup-wednesday-event

06/01/2026

More than 85 people showed up on night one to pitch ideas, vote, and form teams. Over four Wednesdays, those teams — guided by industry mentors — presented to judges for a shot at $5,000 in prizes.

Rochester, you’re up next on June 3! Sign up at startupwednesday.org/rochester.

Startup Wednesday is made possible through the Springboard Prize Competition, supported by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.

Introducing Connor Peters.CEO of Locke Identity Networks, a Rochester-based startup building an identity layer for the i...
05/30/2026

Introducing Connor Peters.

CEO of Locke Identity Networks, a Rochester-based startup building an identity layer for the internet, Connor is also a Startup Community Advocate for the Finger Lakes Region at Upstate Venture Connect, a nonprofit connecting high-growth businesses across Upstate New York. He is an active builder in the Rochester startup ecosystem, with a background that spans deep tech and creative industries.

Startup Wednesday | Rochester | Kickoff June 3
StartupWednesday.org

Introducing Melissa Davis.Co-founder of The Collaborative Entrepreneurship Incubator and founder of Humanity Inc, Meliss...
05/30/2026

Introducing Melissa Davis.

Co-founder of The Collaborative Entrepreneurship Incubator and founder of Humanity Inc, Melissa works with impact-driven founders to build ventures rooted in shared leadership, aligned partnerships, and collective growth. Her work is centered on a simple but powerful idea: that entrepreneurs who build together go further than those who build alone.

Startup Wednesday | Rochester | Kickoff June 3
StartupWednesday.org

Introducing Kendra Fee-McNulty.Founder and Chief Strategist at Raveloe+Co, Kendra works with early- and growth-stage fou...
05/29/2026

Introducing Kendra Fee-McNulty.

Founder and Chief Strategist at Raveloe+Co, Kendra works with early- and growth-stage founders to translate technical vision into language that investors, customers, and partners actually understand. Her background spans brand strategy, executive communication, and startup leadership, with a focus on hard tech and climate tech companies navigating funding rounds, market pivots, and major launches.

Startup Wednesday | Rochester | Kickoff June 3
StartupWednesday.org

Introducing Matt Foley.Managing Director of Startup Incubation at NextCorps and Embark, a no-code software accelerator, ...
05/29/2026

Introducing Matt Foley.

Managing Director of Startup Incubation at NextCorps and Embark, a no-code software accelerator, Matt has spent over 20 years helping founders figure out what their customers actually need. He co-founded PluggedIN, a customer insights platform built for enterprises like Dell, T-Mobile, and Samsung that was acquired by Edelman in 2011. Since then, he has launched three SaaS products of his own and coached hundreds of startups through the product ideation and discovery process on their way to product-market fit.

Startup Wednesday | Rochester | Kickoff June 3
StartupWednesday.org

Introducing Kayte Malik.Founder and Managing Director at Arrow House Group, and a strategy and operations leader with de...
05/28/2026

Introducing Kayte Malik.

Founder and Managing Director at Arrow House Group, and a strategy and operations leader with deep roots in sports technology — including a tenure at FanDuel — Kayte specializes in launching new industries, products, and technologies at speed, and building the teams and systems to sustain them. Her expertise spans go-to-market strategy, product management, financial modeling, and large-scale operations across some of the fastest-moving sectors in tech.

Startup Wednesday | Rochester | Kickoff June 3
StartupWednesday.org

Introducing Nauman Islam.Founder and CEO of Growth Focus AI, an AI-powered intelligence and ex*****on platform for found...
05/28/2026

Introducing Nauman Islam.

Founder and CEO of Growth Focus AI, an AI-powered intelligence and ex*****on platform for founders and investors, Nauman brings extensive experience in M&A, strategy, sales, and operations across global energy and industrial markets. He also serves as a Client Advisor at Empactful Advisors, working with companies from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 firms on strategy ex*****on at speed and scale.

Startup Wednesday | Rochester | Kickoff June 3
StartupWednesday.org

Introducing Pavan Kumar.Partner at 3pmVentures and Entrepreneur in Residence at NextCorps, Pavan has spent over two deca...
05/28/2026

Introducing Pavan Kumar.

Partner at 3pmVentures and Entrepreneur in Residence at NextCorps, Pavan has spent over two decades working with startups and corporations across the US, India, and the Middle East as a founder, investor, author, and advisor. He has funded early-stage startups in three countries and brings a global perspective on strategy, partnerships, and what it takes to build a company that scales.

If you want feedback from someone who has seen what works across markets and stages, he is the person to find.

Startup Wednesday | Rochester | Kickoff June 3
StartupWednesday.org

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