BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) Top Seedz, a local artisan cracker start-up, has won a million dollars in the 43 North competition.
The artisan cracker made from roasted seeds got its start in CEO Rebecca Brady's kitchen. "It's probably the best cracker in the world. I love good food, good nutrition and I've been making them forever," she told Susan and Brian Friday morning on WBEN. "I've been traveling the world and sharing recipes with friends. This is a combination of different recipes."
Brady was born in New Zealand, spent 20 years in Japan and Singapore before moving to Buffalo in 2015.
"When I moved here, I couldn't find a job. So I rented some commissary space and started selling them at Farmer's Markets and I got a couple of lucky breaks. I got into Wegmans and Whole Foods. They've both been supportive from the very beginning," she said.
Top Seedz, which is vegan, organic and gluten free, is in about 350 stores nationwide today. "We've been self-funding our growth, doubling it year after year. We want to keep that trajectory, so maybe we're looking at 700 or a thousand stores in another year. I've got a great team behind me. Now with 43 North, I've got an even greater team. It's going to be a lot of fun."
Brady would love to see this Buffalo brand become a household name nationwide. (Adding, her mom would kill her if it doesn't get to New Zealand one day.)
The night before the finals, Brady told herself it didn't matter if she didn't
get the $500,000. She had a fantastic week with the team at 43North and the other contestants. When she realized she had won $500K, she thought that was great. She never imagined she would go on to win the million dollar grand prize.
When that happened she said it was honest shock on her face. As of Friday morning, she still couldn't believe it.
Seven other companies won $500-thousand dollars on the final night of the competition at Shea's, including 2 local companies, Bettermynd and Verivend.
The State funded competition is in its 7th year to support
Buffalo's start-up economy. Since 2014, 43 North has invested in 51 start-ups.
The winner receives 43North's investment, in return for 5% of their company and a commitment to operate in Buffalo for at least a year.
The competition is similar to Shark Tank, with entrepreneurs pitching their business platform to judges in hopes of landing an investment in the company. "Exactly, Brady said. "It's one of my favorite programs. I'm addicted to it."
Brady told us how the company got it's name. "Top seed is the best player on the field or the best person on the court in tennis or squash. The crackers are seed-based. So we think they are the top seed of crackers, and the top seed of any snack out there. And I'm the top seed of the company. Plus," she says, "The "z" is for New Zealand!"
Top Seedz, currently with 20 employees, is based in Cheektowaga.
Other winners Thursday night at Shea's:
Bettermynd, Inc. Buffalo, N.Y. $500,000
Big Wheelbarrow, Inc. Austin, Texas $500,000
Flox, London, England $500,000
Infiuss Health, San Jose, California $500,000
Shearshare, Inc. McKinney, Texas $500,000
Verivend, Buffalo, N.Y. $500,000
Zealot Interactive, Arlington, Virginia $500,000
