Why I boomeranged back to Buffalo to help build what's next

The door of my Uber closed shut and I found myself looking at my apartment in the Elmwood Village. It was a cool April afternoon in Buffalo. It was time to start building here again.

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My name is Lauren Washington and I first came to Buffalo in 2014 when my startup company, KeepUp, was among the first winners of the 43North competition. My pathway ultimately led me to other cities and other endeavors, including the creation of Black Women Talk Tech, Black Future House and Fundr.

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But I stayed strongly connected throughout those years as a 43North alum and semifinal judge. I helped other companies apply and ultimately win 43North investments over the years. I worked as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University at Buffalo’s Cultivator Accelerator helping new companies pitch for $100K and go to market.

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I became part of the great Buffalo diaspora — quiet but passionate and powerful — who hold this place dear.

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This March, when I was offered a position to lead the Cultivator program, it was finally time to acknowledge this passion. I accepted the position, moved out of my apartment in Austin, Texas, and became a Buffalo boomerang.

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I'm so excited to also be joining the Series B founding team as a contributing editor, and in the coming months, I'll explore how UB Startup Ventures and Cultivator are seeking to build a stronger local economy through high-growth tech.

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Read: Lauren Washington appointed senior associate director of UB Startup Ventures

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Having lived in a number of cities across the States and the world, there’s something special about Buffalo that keeps people coming back. Some of these characteristics also describe the strength of  the city’s startup ecosystem and partially explain why its made such incredible progress in the last decade:

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• Community: The first few weeks that I moved back there was Porch Fest, the Garden Walk and multiple festivals. That feeling of community, inviting people literally into your backyard, is unique to Buffalo and frankly something that other cities should take note of. But that feeling of community extends into the startup ecosystem as well. People I became friends with 10 years ago welcomed me back as if they had kept my place warm knowing I’d return.

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• History of excellence: Nestled in my neighborhood are mansions from the Goodyear and Dupont families. Presidents have resided here. Frank Lloyd Wright built here. The underground railroad had a crucial last stop here. You’re reminded of the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit when you walk down the street and can’t help but want to live up to the greats that came before you.

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• Grit: I’m sure the winters have a hand in this, but the city and people have real grit. This is crucial when getting a startup off the ground but also when building an ecosystem. I’ve seen many cities attempt to become the next Silicon Valley, get some momentum and lose it just as quickly. Buffalo keeps getting better in equal measure because of those that have been slowly progressing the ecosystem for 30 years and those that bring in bold new ideas and energy. The common thread is everyone understands there are no overnight fixes and that awareness has kept people pushing towards consistent progress.

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Over the years, I built companies, worked with founders, and watched ecosystems evolve across the country.

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But I also watched Buffalo quietly transform from a city once defined by its industrial past to one increasingly known for creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience. Each time I returned to visit, I could feel the momentum growing stronger. This year, that pull eventually became impossible to ignore.

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I can’t wait to continue my Buffalo story and share it with you through Series B. It’s an honor to be just a small part of the incredible legacy this city has built and add to its bright future.