By David Jakubowski, US Publisher Programs Director

After three days of digital skills training at Facebook Community Boost, we’re excited to celebrate the small businesses, who tonight discovered they’ve won $25,000 – $100,000 in grants through the Ignite Buffalo program.

Developed in partnership with startup incubator, 43North, Ignite Buffalo combines the expertise of national and local partners, including Facebook, M&T Bank, Quickbooks, Amazon Web Services, WordPress.com and WooCommerce to give 27 promising local small businesses access to a combined capital infusion of $1 million and 12 months of personalized mentorship. The aim of these grants is to offer local businesses the support they need to reach the next stage of their development.

Ignite Program finalists were chosen through a multi-stage application process open to small businesses from across the Western New York region. Tonight, after the announcement of the first twenty $25,000 grant winners, the top seven Ignite Program finalists presented their business plans, live on stage to a panel of judges and a packed audience of their peers. After a final deliberation by the judges — and the selection of a $100,000 People’s Choice grant awardee by audience vote — the Ignite Buffalo judges presented the finalists with their awards.

$100,000 Grant Awardees

Oxford Pennant Grooperative Inc Get Fokus’d Productions – people’s choice award

$50,000 Grant Awardees

TopSeedz Barrel + Brine INC Buffalo All Star Extreme Groundwork Market Garden

$25,000 Grant Awardees

Abyssinia Ethiopian Cuisine Always Something Farm Black Monarchy BreadHive Worker Cooperative Buffalo Distilling Company Casa Azul Crown BFLO Dani-Fit Inc. Ellen K Design – The Flower Stand Executive Sweeps LLC Jeca Energy Bar Company, LLC LaMovement Fitness Mobile Eco Steam llc Om Nohm Gluten Free Papercraft Miracles Revolution Spinning Rooted Locally, LLC Spoke & Dagger Co. The Law Office of Stephanie Adams, PLLC Whole Nine Wellness

What a wonderful conclusion to a great week connecting with Buffalo small businesses! We know that ongoing mentorship and access to capital can have a big impact on the ability of small businesses to succeed. We congratulate each one of the awardees, as well as the small businesses across the region who applied, and look forward to seeing their progress at they take the next step in their journey.