In a remote valley in the Spanish Pyrenees, a group of dedicated human beings are on their path to become a self-sufficient community. They are sowing the seed of establishing a school as a means for good living - a place open to receive people who want to reconnect with ancestral wisdom and relearn how to live in respectful, harmonious togethernes…

Lola Byron is a Permaculture and Natural Building facilitator, practitioner and consultant. After traveling the globe with her young family, she now lives, works, teaches, builds and raises her 2 children in Southern Portugal. In 2020 Lola created The Women Natural Builders Collective, a safe and empowering learning space and network for women buil…

Timothy Porter joins Bell Ringer to discuss his company Mod Tech Labs, its move to Buffalo after winning the 43North competition, growth since arriving, and what is next for the film and gaming industry in times of AI and following strikes.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Jason Bartz is the founder of Good Neighbor Fund, a micro grant program started right here in Buffalo, New York. The program awards $1,000 grants to entrepreneurs or folks with an idea they'd like to turn into a company. On this episode Jason discusses his experiences in Buffalo's entrepreneurial ecosystem, why he started Good Neighbor Fund, criter…

Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY, joins the podcast to discuss the intentionality in curating the museum, its reception from patrons across the country and the comedians themselves the museum aims to celebrate, and everything else in between.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Mike Moskal, CIO at CUBRC, joins Bell Ringer to discuss his company's innovative work, recruitment strategies, and Buffalo Niagara's technology ecosystem at large.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Helder Valente is acting as a recognized permaculture teacher for more than a decade, researching & implementing sustainability principles in a wide variety of environments. He has been learning and working with recognized elder permaculturists Bill Mollison, Geoff Lawton, Sepp Holzer and many more in the major world climatic regions and we are sup…

Greg Homish is a researcher, professor, and chair with the University at Buffalo. He and UB recently received a grant to help train and diversify the future of the public health workforce throughout Western New York. His other research focuses on mental health outcomes for those in the armed services, and mental health at large.…

Scott Balaguer joins Bell Ringer to discuss Edwards Vacuum 599 job, $319 million expansion at the WNY STAMP site in the Buffalo Niagara region. Edwards Vacuum is a critical supplier in the semiconductor industry and also already has a location in Niagara County.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Stephanie Peete and Aaron Jackson join Bell Ringer to discuss CareerWise Greater Buffalo, a modern youth apprenticeship program through Say Yes. On the episode we discuss the benefits of an 'earn while you learn' model, why engaged employers are critical, and the grander benefit of Say Yes as a whole.…

Randy Harris of Lighthouse Technology Services joins Bell Ringer to discuss his company, the ever-changing field of technology, how folks need to think about tech talent, and Buffalo's technology ecosystem at large.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Benji Paola, also known as Sister Benji or "Reggae Queen" has inspired us and many people to live joyfully with nature in a sustainable way. In the 90´s she and her partner returned from Holland to the countryside of Portugal without financial resources. With nothing more than love and confidence they managed to get some land and a ruin where they …

Arbol is a platform helping college students overcome economic uncertainties - textbook purchases, transportation costs, healthcare bills, and more. The company was cofounded by David Gonzalez and Favio Osorio right here in Buffalo Niagara. On this episode, we discuss the company's mission, support its received, and Buffalo's entrepreneurial ecosys…

Jon Powers joins the podcast to discuss his company Clean Capital and advantages Buffalo boasts for clean energy companies and projects, including clean and affordable hydropower and a well-trained workforce.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Del Reid is the cofounder of 26 Shirts, which has donated over $1 million to charitable causes throughout Buffalo. He also gave Buffalo Bills fans its namesake - Bills Mafia - and serves as one of the leaders of the community. Del joins Bell Ringer to discuss the origin story of Bills Mafia, 26 Shirts, what it means to be a Buffalo Bills fan, and m…

Kyle Ciminelli of Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation joins Bell Ringer to discuss real estate in Buffalo Niagara, the pandemic's impact - both culturally and practically - on office space, strengths of Western New York for relocating businesses, and increasing the supply of industrial real estate through spec development.…

The Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park will renovate 100-acres of Buffalo's beautiful waterfront park, including a new pedestrian bridge and further neighborhood connectivity. Marnetta Malcolm and JJ Tighe join Bell Ringer to discuss plans for the new park, decision-making process behind the investment, and more.…

ShearShare - a beauty industry startup - recently relocated to Buffalo after winning the 43North competition. Cofounders Courtney and Dr. Tye Caldwell join the Bell Ringer podcast to discuss their move to Buffalo, welcome since arriving, growth plans for the company, and so much more.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Annelieke van der Sluijs was born in the Netherlands and moved her life to Portugal many years ago, where she lives now in a lovely tiny house where she cares for several bee hives including the bees of Tamera EcoVillage. As a co-founder and holistic researcher of the BeeWisdom network she shares her passion and teachings of healing the relationshi…

Rebecca Brady, founder of Top Seedz, joins our 100th episode of Bell Ringer to discuss the company's origin story, going through the 43North process, growth plans in Buffalo, workforce pipelines, and more. In celebration of our 100th episode of Bell Ringer, we want to thank every guest that has been so gracious with their time when joining the show…

We had the honor to spend this winter volunteering at Tribodar, an inspiring project with the intention to recreate a paradise for human well-being in central east Portugal. In this episode we are listening to Moabi Atma sharing about her experience of following her own intuition walking the path of healing as a kundalini yogini and as a mother of …

Joe Rizzo, of NYSEG, and Ken Kujawa, of National Grid, join Buffalo's Bell Ringer podcast to discus Western New York's strengths in electric infrastructure as it relates to economic development and business attraction. In this episode, we discuss Buffalo's utility reliability, affordability, and grant and incentive programs for companies expanding …

Ingrid Curtis, President of Sparq (formerly Rural Sourcing), discusses the tech company's decision to expand to Buffalo due to its affordability, quality of life, talent, and more. Sparq started its project process with an internal AI tool to look at quantitative data, continued by leveraging a multitude of resources via Invest Buffalo Niagara, and…

Sarah Tabakuchi, the new President & CEO of TechBuffalo, joins the Bell Ringer podcast to discuss her path into tech, her path to this new role, TechBuffalo's goals, and Buffalo Niagara's technology ecosystem as a whole.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Tom Quinn takes listeners through the Western New York Impact Investment Fund, including its origin story, social impact goals, targeted impact areas, and portfolio.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Tom Wiley, the publisher of The Buffalo News, joins our podcast to discuss growing a newsroom, and his vantage point of the Buffalo resurgence.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Scott Stenclik joins our podcast to discuss the workforce in Buffalo Niagara, Aleron's work within talent acquisition, Buffalo's booming entreprenurial ecosystem, and the Stenclik foundation.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Russell Corigliano, co-owner of Rosina Food Products, joins Bell Ringer to discuss his company's growth, the importance of its workforce, leading through a pandemic, and the reasons other food and dairy processing companies should expand to Buffalo Niagara.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Sonny Sonnenstein of M&T Bank joins to discuss Buffalo Niagara's booming tech ecosystem and innovation economy. He covers the case for why both talent and companies should be in Buffalo.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Dave Horesh, co-founder of Oxford Pennant, joins Bell Ringer to talk about the company's activities throughout the pandemic - including hanging a 40 foot pennant on Buffalo's tallest building, partnering with the Buffalo Bills for post-win celebrations, adding a 'Made in Buffalo' tag to their products, and more.…

Dan Miner moved back to Buffalo in 2012 to cover Buffalo's economy with Buffalo Business First. His boomerang date coincides well with the beginning of Buffalo's significant resurgence, especially within the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, of which he covers closely.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

The moondance is an ancestral ceremony with its origins in Mexico, a prayer of sisters and brothers for mother earth and human evolution. The ritual is a beautiful chance for women to cleanse their bodies of generations of female suppression, to open up for healing and regain their strength, to transform into loving warrior women that our mother ea…

In this podcast we discuss a potential climate migration. An article following a Harvard study said, “With climate change, the world will suck, but Buffalo may suck less.” We discuss why – including abundant fresh water, easier temperatures, safety from natural disasters, the clean energy transfer, and more.…

Verena Wallner takes us on a little tour through the seed bank and the vegetable garden of Zetmau permaculture farm. She shares her experience, useful tips and knowledge of working the plants in all their cycle. *We want to keep our podcast free and accessible for everyone, but for that we need your support. Your donation is warmly welcome via PayP…

Thomas Beauford, President & CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, joins to discuss the organization's programs and priorities within our Western New York community.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Johannes Wedenig studied organic farming in Vienna, Austria. By that time a dream arose, a dream to live in nature doing communal gardening. Three years ago this dream became reality when he and his family bought a land in Carintia where many people have gathered so far to grow nutritious food in a sustainable way. He questions himself, how he can …

AML RightSource expanded to Buffalo Niagara in March of 2019, promising 100 jobs within its first five years. The company has well surpassed that goal and is now expanding again in Western New York, now into Seneca One Tower. AML is hiring more talent in Buffalo and of a higher technological level, as well.…

University at Buffalo Electrical Engineering Department Chair Jon Bird joins Bell Ringer to discuss the semiconductor industry, strengths Buffalo Niagara possesses, potential growth strategies, and his experience in moving to Western New York.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

43North, the Shark Tank-style startup pitch competition awarding $5 million to winners, is back bringing new companies and innovations to Buffalo. We chat with President Colleen Heidinger about the competition and the organization's move to Seneca One Tower.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Ekua Mends-Aidoo of Evergreen Health and Kendra Brim of Nardin Academy - each DEI consultants of their own and cohosts of Black Gems Dive In podcast - join to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion in Buffalo Niagara workplaces.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Wayne Bacon joins the podcast to discuss his medical device company Garwood Medical, its mission, and its naming story.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Kellena Kane joins our podcast to discuss HANSA, downtown Buffalo's new coworking and shared office space. HANSA features single membership options and dedicated plug-and-play company space.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Bob Confer, President of Confer Plastics, discusses manufacturing in Buffalo Niagara, utility benefits, workforce, and pandemic precautions on this episode.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Kim Grant joined our Invest Buffalo Niagara team as the Vice President of Business Development the day we began working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this podcast, she discusses how the economic development engine of our region has continued and some triumphs along the way.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

John Scannell, CEO of Moog, stops by the podcast to discuss his the global company he is leading, how they are doing through the pandemic, and shares some global examples to look toward when considering the future of Buffalo.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Yassine Benderra is a passionate permaculturist, ecological activist and a healer. Together with his partner Joana they’re the guardians of a small piece of the land in the magical surroundings of Gerês, North Portugal. On their journey from the city to the country side, they found their way of living and working joyfully and connect with nature. T…

Dan Magnuszewski is the cofounder & CTO of ACV Auctions, Buffalo's first software unicorn. On the podcast, we discuss their growth and success, what advantages Buffalo has offered them, and why others should follow.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Matt Fleckenstein grew up in WNY, but moved away to LA for a successful TV writing career on shows like iCarly, Family Guy, and his own creation Nicky, Rick, Dicky, & Dawn. Now, he's bringing that expertise back to start Buffalo Studios and help bolster our film and television production cluster.By Invest Buffalo Niagara

Pedro Paz grew up in Lisbon but then left his past life and belongings to return to the wild. Now he is back in the city where he bridges both worlds by bringing people together to sing, dance and to reconnect with their own true nature. His life as a researcher in dance, contact & improvisation has helped many people out of their mental and intell…

Ryan Francis, Chief of Staff of Kyklo, a Thailand-based data-driven SaaS company, led the search for a new location. The company started with a search of 9 U.S. metros, and ended up expanding in Buffalo, New York.By Invest Buffalo Niagara