Startups to Watch: 5 companies we're keeping our eyes on

With the Covid-era days of funding aplenty long gone, 2023 marked a tough year for many startups across the country.

Some banks and venture capital firms failed, companies laid off staff and businesses shut down. Yet, the environment meant the positive standouts shone all the brighter.

That’s why Lian Bunny and Buffalo Inno are featuring five startups to watch this year. They’re a symbol of the potential good news ahead for the local startup community, as the relatively small yet mighty ecosystem continues to grow and forge ahead.

For instance, last year’s startups to watch included Azuna, which landed a strategic partnership with the Buffalo Bills, and AireXpert, which raised $3 million and landed customers like United Airlines.

Take a look at our picks for 2024.

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New R&D chief brings Rich's a 27-year history in confections

For most of her career, Tracey Ziener has relied heavily on her sense of taste and smell, blending science with senses to create food. Now, as she settles into a senior leadership role at Rich Products Corporation, she’s figuring out ways to incorporate AI into the process while making sure the result continues to be safe and tasty.

Ziener joined the private, family-owned company in May as executive vice president and chief of research and development, food safety, quality assurance and regulatory affairs officer. It’s a long title, and one that’s integral to the $5.8 billion Buffalo-based food company’s ongoing success as a global manufacturer.   |  Read more

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Inside tenants to close at Eastern Hills Mall

The interior of Eastern Hills Mall will close this month as Uniland Development Company moves forward with the partial demolition and redevelopment of the property. About 40 store spaces will be affected. |  Read more

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Family dairy finds growth in homemade ice cream

With a history that dates back more than 100 years, it would be understatement to say Hoover’s Dairy is well known in Sanborn.

In addition to running an independent dairy operation and store on Hoover Road, the Hoover family has offered home delivery of glass bottled milk and other products since 1923. Nearly 16 years ago, they opened a restaurant and ice cream stand, selling Perry’s products.

Still, owner Rob Hoover recognized he was taking a risk in August when the family decided to start making its own ice cream. The response was immediate and so successful, however, that this winter the business phased out nearly all Perry’s ice cream in favor of its own products.  |  Read more

Plus, a desserts designer is opening a shop in Larkinville; a new restaurant is in the works for Lewiston's historic Frontier House; a Buffalo distillery is closing its Seneca Street production site; and a new vegan restaurant will offer meal prep and weekend brunches in the Southtowns.

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WNY home patterned after HGTV house sells

An Elma home sale has put Erie County’s 2023 million-dollar home sale total at 57. Glenn Snyder and Iris Hudson sold 105 Stoneridge Lane, a house largely patterned after HGTV’s 2006 dream house in Asheville, North Carolina, for $1.3 million.  |  Read more

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The List: Buffalo's Largest Employers

Subscriber exclusive: A major grocery chain dropped on this year's List of the largest local employers, while a local nonprofit made a significant jump into the top 10.   |  Read more

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This Weekly Edition was compiled by Sara Paulson Meehan. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Send them to smeehan@bizjournals.com.