Should the city that’s world famous for creating its eponymous wings lead the charge in food innovation?
Detroit is known for mobility. Boston for biotech. London for fintech.
Building agnostically was really successful in the early stages of growing Buffalo’s startup ecosystem, but in the “Series B” phase, does it make sense to build around a specific industry?
This is the question that’s come up in many of my recent conversations with startups and investors. Other cities have harnessed their momentum and created a more unified ecosystem by rallying around the same industry. There’s a case to be made for Buffalo to do the same and there are a few areas it could arguably lay claim to.
As a climate haven, Buffalo could own climate tech or data centers. We have a supercomputer at UB and top researchers in AI. There’s even a case to continue the legacy of advanced manufacturing. But there is one industry that is slowly gaining a groundswell that isn’t discussed enough.
Should the city that’s world famous for creating its eponymous wings lead the charge in food innovation?
This isn't to say we stop celebrating or supporting startups in other industries, as Buffalo has an impressive list of high-growth companies across software and physical goods that are raising money, building teams and expanding into national markets. But it is an argument about getting louder, prouder and more intentional around food innovation.
The case to focus on food innovation may not be obvious but is building in all the areas needed to create a branded ecosystem: anchor institutions, educational organizations, targeted funding, branding and a groundswell of startup activity.
We have established players like Rich Products Corp., Tops Friendly Markets, Wegmans Food Markets, Steuben Foods, Lactalis, Great Lakes Cheese, Sodexo and General Mills and others that are already funding and supporting innovation.
We have a city full of below market rate manufacturing plants ready for the lights to be turned on again.
Some of our biggest investors including 43North, Launch NY, Cultivator and WNY Impact Investment Fund have food CPG in their portfolios.
National media has already floated that we’re the most under the radar food city in America a few times over.
Most importantly, startups are not only launching here but growing here. They’re building factories and hiring large workforces. Whereas an AI company could pick up its small team and move anywhere and product-based businesses generally source from outside the US, food companies have staying power and strong economic development potential.
Here are a few that are leading the charge:
FoodNerd is a Buffalo-based food tech company producing nutrient-dense, plant-based snacks for children. The company has raised a $7.5M seed round, secured a $1M investment from 43North, and is scaling into 800+ retail locations nationwide with its own manufacturing facility.
JECA produces plant-based, whole-food energy bars with strong traction in retail channels like Whole Foods and Wegmans. The company has completed an oversubscribed pre-seed round including an investment from Cultivator, achieved 230% annual growth, and expanded distribution to 200+ stores across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Top Seedz is a better-for-you snack company focused on seed-based crackers and products, combining clean-label positioning with scaled manufacturing in Buffalo. A $1M 43North winner, the company has reached national distribution, entered Costco, and reported ~50% annual growth while operating a large local production facility.
Edenesque is a plant-based dairy company focused on clean-label, allergen-friendly products with growing retail traction. The company has raised capital from Launch NY and UB Cultivator and is targeting $1M+ in revenue with participation in the Whole Foods accelerator.
RareBird is a functional coffee startup producing caffeine-free coffee using a patented caffeine replacement, targeting consumers seeking energy without jitters. The company raised ~$1M through 43North and is scaling e-commerce, wholesale distribution, and has plans for a Buffalo-based roastery.
Mighty Meats has developed a ground beef that naturally provides higher density nutrients. It quickly sells out in local stores and farmers markets, and is currently going through the Cultivator accelerator.
Unapologetic Coffee is a specialty coffee company focused on ethically sourced, premium coffee while building a mission-driven brand centered on culture, authenticity, and community. With two retail locations and a recent roastery under their real estate portfolio, they are ready to expand and scale the product nationally.
There are many, many others that are selling in local stores, farmers' markets, or currently in R&D that could take advantage of a flywheel created by a focused ecosystem. There’s a strong case that the city that smells like Cheerios should officially build around this momentum. Tune in to Part Two about what it takes for Buffalo to put itself on the map as a food innovation hub.
