'Queen City of Startups' Campaign Launched at Buffalo CEO Summit | Business

A Statement Released by nxtARROW Economic Development

John W. Howell, CEO of nxtARROW Business Development, convened 50 CEOs and local key influencers at an invitation only “CEO Summit” held at the Buffalo Club on July 19th, 2012. Key topics included the nxtARROW mission of revitalizing Buffalo as the Queen City of Startups destination – recruiting startups from seven target metros – Toronto, New York, Boston, DC, Chicago, The Bay Area and Southern California.

A spirit of collaboration and fresh thinking was requested as well as the advice and support of the prestigious group of attendees. “A hundred years ago, Buffalo was the Queen City of the Lakes,” Howell said. “The DNA of that great city is still here. It’s in our foundation, just like our water, gas or some other great resource. Our past is there for us to channel a different, but equally prosperous future.”

The concept’s success is based upon harnessing the power of Buffalo’s excess capacity of resources – space and manpower – combined with the high quality of life/low cost of living to attract those who seek lower costs, easy commutes, and access to cultural and lifestyle amenities. Startups and seed stage companies will develop and launch in Buffalo, put down roots, and become a Buffalo company. They will create Buffalo jobs as they grow, without the use of taxpayer money. These startups actually pay for the privilege of coming to Buffalo.

Howell announced that nxtARROW has completed a prototype of its outside of the box business model for a private economic development company. nxtARROW has proven, with the prototype, that it has the ability to recruit startups from outside the area, that it can recruit local businesses to provide a free year of services as incentives to locate and launch here, and it has proven that the virtual incubator which links startups with the service providers in its network works as it is designed to. nxtARROW is ready to ramp up to full operation mode.

In addition to asking local leaders to join the effort in a way that makes sense for each of them, nxtARROW wants the community to be familiar with the new meaning of “Queen City.” It wants everyone to know that the moniker now applies to “Queen City of Startups,” and help them spread the word that Buffalo’s next great moment is at hand.