WNY48 presents Startup in a Weekend

Hadar Borden

Director

UB Startup & Innovation Collaboratory

Hadar Borden is Director of the University at Buffalo’s Startup and Innovation Collaboratory, powered by Blackstone LaunchPad, where she leads innovation and economic development through high impact entrepreneurship initiatives. She also directs the WNY Prosperity Fellowship, a flagship leadership program focused on talent development and regional growth. With more than two decades in higher education, Hadar is recognized for expertise in Program Development, Student Leadership & Development, building scalable programs and strategic partnerships. A UB alumna, she has received numerous honors and serves on regional boards advancing economic and community development.

Nicole Camarre

VP Investments & Platform

43North

Nicole Camarre is VP of Investments & Platform at 43North where she leads the investment process and platform strategy to ensure founders have the capital, resources, and networks needed to scale. Prior to 43North, she held both investing and operating roles spanning venture capital, buy-side M&A, and strategic finance. Her cross-functional experience informs her approach to building value-add programming and capital strategies. Nicole holds a BS in Financial Economics from Binghamton University and an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Rochester. Nicole is particularly passionate about capital formation and ecosystem development that drive connectivity across venture hubs.

Dan Magnuszewski

CEO

Radial Ventures

Dan Magnuszewski is a Buffalo-based entrepreneur, investor, and venture builder focused on accelerating the growth of high-impact technology companies in Western New York and beyond. In 2012 he helped launch and run Z80 Labs, which was an incubator and seed fund. As a co-founder and former CTO of ACV Auctions, he helped scale the company from startup through IPO, and today he leads Radial Ventures, a venture studio dedicated to building transformative businesses in WNY. Deeply engaged in the regional innovation ecosystem, Dan works closely with founders, investors, and institutions to turn bold ideas into enduring companies. In addition to his operating and investing work, Dan serves on multiple corporate and nonprofit boards, where he focuses on strategy, governance, and long-term value creation. He’s currently serving on the SUNY Buffalo Computer Science advisory board, Kaleida Heath Board of Directors, and The UB Foundation board. Outside of venture building, he is passionate about motorsports, music, and cultivating ambitious community initiatives that elevate Buffalo’s entrepreneurial and cultural landscape.

Jack McGowan

Executive Director

WNY Venture Association/Buffalo Angels

Jack McGowan is the director of the Buffalo Angels, an angel investor network and fund that invests in early-stage companies located in the Buffalo & Upstate New York region. He is also the director of the Western New York Venture Association, the original forum for startups in the Western New York region to present their companies to potential investors and to network with others in the business community. Jack is an active coach and mentor for numerous business plan contests and startup events in upstate New York, including many previous Buffalo Startup Weekends.

Edreys Wajed

Artist: Co-Founder of Eat Off Art

Eat Off Art

Multi-disciplinary artist with an MFA and co-founder of the creative consulting and arts-based company Eat Off Art. His skillset spans from visual art, jewelry design and music/video production to art curation, education and entrepreneurship. His approach in each endeavor is soundly unique, high quality, and signature in presentation, having found his course as a creator early in life. With a history of social engagement and empathy for community, he is also the co-founder of Culture, Inc., an art based non-profit focused on making art accessible to marginalized communities and the importance of art as a creative healing practice.