Business leaders, owners wanted for UB Fast 46

Published December 4, 2020

UB is seeking applicants for its inaugural UB Fast 46 competition.

Named in honor of the university’s founding in 1846, the program will recognize and celebrate the success of 46 of the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UB alumni or former students around the world. In addition, three startups that have garnered the most venture capital also will be recognized.

“We were inspired by Buffalo’s economic resurgence over the past decade and the entrepreneurs and business leaders who have come out of UB,” says Cynthia Khoo-Robinson, associate vice president for alumni engagement and annual giving. “Fast 46 is a unique way for these leaders to compete for a ranking among their peers.”

The process to be considered for Fast 46 is twofold: Initial nominations — which may be self-submitted or by a third party — and a formal application to prove eligibility and provide the required financial documents. Eligible companies must have been in business for at least three years; have verifiable revenues of at least $100,000 or more in 2017 and 2018, and at least $250,000 in 2019; and the owner, CEO, president, managing partner or chairman must be UB alumnus or former student.

To be considered for the UB “Top 3 Under 3 Award,” companies must have been in business for less than 36 months; have secured verifiable venture capital funding; and the CEO, president, managing partner, chairman or owner must be a current or former UB student.

Nominations for Fast 46 opened Nov. 9 and will close Jan. 29, 2021.

Companies will be ranked by the percentage of cumulative annual growth in revenue for the three most-recent, 12-month reporting periods. The 46 companies with the highest revenue growth rates — as verified by The Bonadio Group, a Buffalo-based accounting firm — will be selected for the inaugural UB Fast 46 at an event in October 2021.

“We hope businesses will apply annually to maintain or grow their ranking,” Khoo-Robinson says, “indicating they are continuing to thrive and succeed.”

More information, including criteria, nomination forms and deadlines, is available online. Additional questions may be directed to Krystal Testa in the Office of Alumni Relations at kntesta@buffalo.edu, or (716) 645-0886.