On January 21st, I had the opportunity to participate in Startup Boot Camp hosted by Blackstone LaunchPad at the University at Buffalo. Students from UB and Canisius College worked in small teams to develop their ideas, prototype their online marketing and sales content, and offer their wares and services via a virtual tradeshow. It was exciting to witness the students' enthusiasm, innovation, and thoughtfulness.

I was struck by how many of the products and services being sold by these students were focused on making the world a healthier, safer, more accessible, more environmentally friendly, and more welcoming place for people of all races, ethnicities, abilities, and religious beliefs, to name a few. It is refreshing to see the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs introducing products and services not only because they think they will "sell" but because they are improving customers' lives in a meaningful way.

The team at UB's Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars is formidable, and I encourage you to subscribe to their email blasts or follow them on Facebook so that you can keep tabs on announcements and upcoming events!