Posted on November 18, 2021
Hamburg, NY, – The Hamburg Town Board unanimously approved $200,000 in funding through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) to ignite Hamburg’s startup business community.
“I think this is a great idea; I’m excited for Hamburg to be part of the venture startup community,” said Hamburg Town board Member, Shawn Connolly as he reviewed the elements of the program’s goals of supporting a community of innovators in Hamburg.
The funding will be used to seed the not for profit startup incubator program over the next two years. These funds will be combined with other donations to support a full-time staff member, develop programming and establish a location for the project, all of these activities in preparation for Pitch Hamburg’s first annual startup competition to be held in 2022.
ARPA funds are restricted grants to municipalities monitored by the U.S. Department of Treasury. These funds can be applied to fund community-based small business incubators and innovation hubs to support the growth of entrepreneurship.
Heather Sidorowicz, owner of Southtown Audio Video and Pitch Hamburg Board Member commented, “town of Hamburg funding is critical to Pitch Hamburg’s startup community and the drive and promotion of entrepreneurs whose product, service or offering would be additive to Hamburg. Supervisor Shaw’s resolution for $200,000 will launch Pitch Hamburg’s inaugural startup competition and provide direct support to no less than 6 startup businesses boosting product / service offerings, employment and commercial real estate in Hamburg.”
PITCH Hamburg is a response to the growing demand in Hamburg for a startup community. Our mission is to support the development of the next generation of entrepreneurs. Our members are a select collaboration of business professionals, education providers and investors to network and foster local startups. Our desire is to provide affordable dedicated and co-working space for entrepreneurial activity as well as communal space for educational, consultative and development activities. PITCH Hamburg is the heart and soul of the startup ecosystem in southern Erie County.
