Program

Final presentations: 4:30-7:30 p.m. on April 16, 2026
More than $75,000 in startup funding and business services

Overview

The Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition was created by the UB School of Management and the UB Office of Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships. Funded with a $1 million endowment from the late Henry A. Panasci Jr., the program brings UB students from science, technology, business and other disciplines together to maximize their potential to create viable businesses in Western New York.

The competition is hosted by UB’s Startup and Innovation Collaboratory powered by Blackstone LaunchPad.

Agenda Judges Panel Finalists Special Thanks Sponsors

Finalists will be evaluated by a panel of judges on how well they accomplish the following:

Describe a feasible and marketable startup venture in Western New York
Present concise, focused and well-organized written material
Prove the need for a product or service and identify its target market
Explain how jobs will be created and demonstrate the financial viability of the operation
Present potential sources of capital

Geoff Bocobo, MD ’23
Lead Health Care SME / AI Evaluation Manager, Mercor

Colleen Heidinger
President, 43North

Charu Kalluri, EMBA '17
Product Marketing and Strategy Leader (B2B SaaS)

John Seman
Serial Life Science Entrepreneur and Startup Mentor

Lauren Washington, CEL ’15
Senior Associate Director of Startup Ventures, UB Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships