News Releases

KeyBank Business Boost & Build Program to Host November Networking Event & Pitch Competition for Buffalo Entrepreneurs
Events are an opportunity to encourage collaboration among local entrepreneurs and small business owners

BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --  This month, the KeyBank Business Boost & Build program, powered by JumpStart, will hold two events—a networking event and a pitch competition—to highlight opportunities for entrepreneurs in Buffalo and encourage local collaboration.

The KeyBank Business Boost & Build program, powered by JumpStart, is holding two November events—a networking event and a pitch competition—to highlight opportunities for entrepreneurs in Buffalo and encourage local collaboration.

The networking event, entitled "The Buffalo Entrepreneur's Social," will take place on Wednesday, November 14th from 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Foundry Suites located at 1738 Elmwood Avenue. This gathering of diverse entrepreneurs and small business owners will celebrate the spirit that is driving economic growth in our community.

Jennifer Parker, lead consultant for Jackson Parker Communications, a company behind many local public relations and marketing campaigns, will host and speak at this event. Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn how the KeyBank Business Boost & Build program is helping women and people of color grow their businesses and transform Buffalo for the better.

The follow-up "KeyBank Business Boost & Build Buffalo Pitch Competition" will take place on Wednesday, November 28th from 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Foundry Suites located at 1738 Elmwood Avenue. 10 local entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win up to $5,000.

  • Interested parties can learn more and apply to enter the pitch competition at https://boostandbuild.org/buffalopitch. The online application deadline is Thursday, November 8th. The KeyBank Business Boost & Build Buffalo Pitch Competition is generously supported by The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo.

"The KeyBank Business Boost & Build Buffalo Pitch Competition is a great way to highlight the collaboration and competitive spirit that's driving growth and success in our region," said Gary Quenneville, KeyBank Upstate New York Regional Executive. "We invite all local entrepreneurs to support this event and enjoy what is sure to be a fun night of pitching and networking."      

The KeyBank Business Boost & Build program in New York is designed to stimulate economic growth by partnering with local organizations to provide high-impact technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in urban neighborhoods that have struggled to access these services in the past. The program is powered by nonprofit venture development organization JumpStart Inc. and funded by a historic $24 million grant from the KeyBank Foundation.

JUMPSTART NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
Nick Worner
Media Relations
(216) 363-5470 (work)
(419) 566-1517 (cell)
nick.worner@jumpstartinc.org

KEYBANK NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
Matthew Pitts
Communications Manager – Western & Central New York
(716) 270-4243 (work)
(716) 903-8468 (cell)
matthew_pitts@keybank.com

ABOUT JUMPSTART INC.
JumpStart unlocks the full potential of diverse and ambitious entrepreneurs to economically transform entire communities. For more information, visit www.jumpstartinc.org and follow @JumpStartInc on Twitter.

ABOUT KEYBANK
KeyBank's roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $138.8 billion at September 30, 2018. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,100 branches and more than 1,500 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

SOURCE JumpStart Inc.