A group of 20 students and two faculty members from Niagara University’s Holzschuh College of Business Administration were in the packed audience at Shea’s Performing Arts Center as $5 million in prizes were given out to entrepreneurs from around the world during 43North’s annual startup competition on Oct. 16, 2025. 43North is an accelerator program that invests $5 million each year to attract and cultivate high-growth companies in Buffalo, N.Y.
Isaiah Jones, a senior majoring in business management with a minor in law and jurisprudence, is pictured here with Joel Horsford, founder of RadEmploy, one of the night’s five winning businesses. The company, which originated in New York City, created a platform that uses AI to connect radiology professionals with hospitals.
“It was truly a memorable event, and I was very honored to meet one of the winning contestants and talk about their similar upbringing and motivations to become an entrepreneur,” said Jones.
“The 43North competition is one of the biggest opportunities for entrepreneurs in the world,” said Dr. Anna McNab, associate professor of management. “We encourage our students to participate in this event to see what is possible when good business ideas meet venture capital.
“In 2017, we had a Niagara University student win a runner-up prize of $500,000,” she continued. “I am looking forward to the day when another student walks out on that stage.”
