Program launching in Buffalo aims to help WNY startup companies

Scott Wayman has been busy ever since he launched Kangarootime in 2015.

“I spend about 70 or 80 hours a week. There's no easy way to do it,” the company owner said.

His start up uses an operating system to help child care centers better manage their facilities.

Wayman said he wouldn't have gotten the company off the ground if not for a program called the Founder Institute. The international program, launched in 2009, has helped launch over 3,300 companies in 180 cities.

They use a proven 14-week program to take companies to the next level. “We're going to help people who want to be founders start a company and from there it takes time," said Founder Managing Director Kevin Siskar. 

It wasn't available in Buffalo until now.

Siskar is helping lead the charge. He said Buffalo's resurgence is one reason why Founder is coming to western New York.

In Wayman's case, he's looking to hire 15 to 20 computer engineers, and 10 sales and marketing reps in 2019. “We've ramped up the onboarding of customers, and the growth has been phenomenal.”

The Founder Institute will begin a new cohort in March. For more information on how to apply to the program, click here.

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