Rochester Groups Among Winners of $551K Springboard Awards for Entrepreneurial Innovation

Several Rochester-based organizations were among twelve winners announced Thursday in a regional competition awarding over half a million dollars to boost entrepreneurial ecosystems across Western New York.

Winners of the 2025 Springboard Awards

The Springboard Prize, funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, granted a total of $551,625 to groups in Buffalo, Rochester, and the Southern Tier. The awards—ranging from $6,000 to $100,000—were presented during a celebration at Larkin Square in Buffalo on July 24.

From a pool of 253 applicants, three Rochester-area initiatives stood out among this year’s recipients for their innovative approaches to entrepreneurship and community support:

Startup Grind ROC received $50,000 to organize local pitch events that will lead to a delegation representing Western New York at the Startup Grind Conference 2026 in Silicon Valley.

NextCorps, Inc., based in Rochester’s downtown innovation zone, was awarded $25,625 for its AI Startup Jam—a three-day immersive event introducing participants to cutting-edge AI tools and culminating in a competitive pitch showcase.

Urban League of Rochester, NY, Inc. earned $50,000 for its ROC Women’s Business Center initiative, From Hustle to Enterprise, a six-week course focused on empowering women entrepreneurs by combining business fundamentals with wellness support.

“These Rochester organizations are prime examples of what bold ideas and strong community roots can achieve,” said Paul Riser, Sr., Program Officer at the Wilson Foundation. “Their programs are critical in creating inclusive pathways for innovation and economic mobility.”

The Springboard Prize supports events and initiatives that strengthen the regional entrepreneurial landscape by providing founders with access to networks, education, and capital. Other winners included ecosystem builders from Buffalo and the Southern Tier, focusing on areas such as AI innovation, biotech, business succession, and inclusive networking.

The selection committee featured experienced entrepreneurs including Kamal Patel of AireXpert, Khadesha Okwudili of Agape, biotech CEO Omar Bakht, and Jack Greco, co-founder of ACV Auctions.

The program is coordinated by the Center for Regional Strategies and Main Light Strategies, with support from regional partners such as NextCorps, LaunchNY, and OneRoc.

Here's a list of all 12 winners:

19 Ideas -- $50,000 for Startup Wednesday events in Buffalo and Rochester, a four-session series that empowers new founders to pitch, build, test and launch an idea within one month.

NextCorps, Inc.-- $25,625 for AI Startup Jam, an immersive three-day event where participants will learn about the latest AI tools to build a software product, and the top ten will be invited to a pitch competition.

BootSector, Inc. -- $40,000 for BootUp: AI, a six-month initiative equipping early-stage founders and entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and community support needed to launch successful AI-enabled startups.

Buffalo Open Coffee Club -- $6,000 for free open networking events that offer

peer-to-peer support for WNY’s entrepreneurial community.

Endeavor Western New York Inc. -- $75,000 for an Entrepreneur Learning Tour

between WNY, Cleveland and Pittsburgh over three events to introduce founders to networks beyond their hometown and provide curated learnings from experts.

Grey Ziff LLC -- $30,000 for WNY48, a weekend-long startup competition with hands-on learning, mentorship and access to ecosystem partners for entrepreneurs to launch their new ventures in just 48 hours.

Immunaeon Inc. -- $19,000 for Entrepreneurship in Biotech for Aspiring Founders, a two-day event catalyzing innovation, collaboration and investment across the life sciences and biotech ecosystem of WNY.

Olean Business Development Corporation -- $56,000 for Transition Matchmaking, a succession program in Olean enabling long time small business owners to exit their businesses gracefully by having entrepreneurs continue and improve on their legacy.

Startup Grind ROC -- $50,000 for Startup Grind Conference 2026 WNY

Delegation, starting with pitch events for local startups that culminate in a chance to represent WNY at the next conference in Silicon Valley.

The Foundry -- $50,000 for MakeHER Business Family Dinners, supporting single and parenting entrepreneurs through monthly events and accountability mentor meetups by removing the barrier of childcare.

Upstate Venture Connect -- $100,000 for Upstate to DC: Founders Roadshow,

a two-day curated experience for ten high-growth startups from WNY, connecting them with policymakers, federal innovation leaders and peer founders in Washington, DC.

Urban League of Rochester, NY, Inc. -- $50,000 for ROC Women’s Business Center’s from Hustle to Enterprise: Leveling Up the Entrepreneurial Market, a six-week program combining business fundamentals with physical and mental wellness, primarily for women.

More information about the Springboard Prize and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is available at www.rcwjrf.org.