Startup Insights & Stories

Expert advice, practical lessons and inspiring successes from our startups, founders and mentors.

EIR SPOTLIGHT

Winson Wong

From turning restaurant scraps into a thriving sustainable foodtech business to helping founders stay accountable and self-aware, Winson Wong brings a rare mix of grit, insight and generosity to the startup world. As co-founder and CEO of Afterlife Ag—and now an Entrepreneur in Residence at UB BEP—he’s channeling a decade of hard-earned lessons into guiding the next wave of innovators. Discover what drives him, how he helps founders cut through the noise and why building trust and clarity might be the most powerful tools in any entrepreneur’s toolkit.

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT

Lauren Washington named Senior Associate Director of Startup Ventures

When Lauren Washington joins UB’s Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships (BEP) as Senior Associate Director of Startup Ventures, she will already be a familiar face to her new colleagues. Washington’s relationship with the Buffalo startup community began a decade ago when her startup at the time, KeepUp, was among 43North’s first season of winners in 2014. That win propelled her on a path to become an accomplished entrepreneur and CEO with a passion for empowering decision-making in seed investing.

EXPERT ADVICE

What is a SAFE in venture capital investing?

A Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) offers early-stage startups a flexible investment option, providing funds in exchange for future equity when the business grows. Learn more about what a SAFE is, how it works, and about UB's standard terms for investments made through its Cultivator program.

Two women in traditional South Asian attire sit together at a desk, looking at a laptop. One woman wears a red and black outfit with silver earrings, while the other wears a black and gold embroidered dress with gold earrings. Both are smiling and appear to be collaborating on work, with a blue cup and some papers visible on the desk.

EXPERT ADVICE

Understanding the U.S. International Entrepreneur Rule for immigrant-founded startups

The U.S. International Entrepreneur Rule allows immigrant entrepreneurs to stay in the U.S. for up to five years if their startups secure significant investment or funding, show potential for economic growth, and meet other criteria. Successful ventures may enable entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residency. Learn more about the U.S. Entrepreneur Rule.

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Lauren Washington named Senior Associate Director of Startup Ventures

When Lauren Washington joins UB’s Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships (BEP) as Senior Associate Director of Startup Ventures, she will already be a familiar face to her new colleagues.

Understanding the U.S. International Entrepreneur Rule for immigrant-founded startups

Western New York's startup ecosystem and greater WNY community come together every fall for 43North’s annual startup competition, where 16 semi-finalists pitch and five high-growth companies walk away with $1M each. In 2024, three of the 16 semi-finalists hail from Buffalo, all of which have been supported in various ways by UB's startup initiatives.

What is a SAFE?

Diverse teams create opportunities for startups to succeed

Founders should consider diversity from the very beginning. Studies have shown that diverse companies are more successful, diversity leads to healthy disagreement that makes teams better, and there is even evidence that startup teams with female founders perform better than all-male teams.

Increase chances of startup success by avoiding these 5 common legal mistakes

By being aware of – and avoiding – the following top five legal mistakes startups make, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of building a successful business.