Mike Pell, on how Microsoft does innovation

Elle McIntosh & Al Bozorgi, on reinventing the wet wipe from Buffalo

Twipes thinks the wet wipe is overdue for a redesign. Elle McIntosh and Al Bozorgi join the show to talk about building a genuinely flushable wipe, why they planted the company in Buffalo through 43North, and what it takes to fix a product most people never think twice about until it clogs the pipes. Plus, new exciting news on their advancement through a Walmart pitch competition putting their products on shelves across the country.

Andrew Goldner, on go-to-market, GrowthX, and the Buffalo bet

Andrew Goldner joins The Series B(uffalo) Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about building, scaling, and rethinking where great companies can come from. As co-founder of GrowthX, Andrew has spent years helping companies crack the code on go-to-market and sales, and he breaks down why upskilling in those areas is one of the most overlooked levers for growth. We get into the case for second tier cities like Buffalo, and why the conventional wisdom about needing to be in a coastal hub is increasingly outdated. Andrew shares how regional ecosystems can compete, what they offer that bigger markets can't, and why founders should take a hard look at places that get written off too quickly. Andrew also reflects on his time at Reuters and the lessons that carried into his work today, plus plenty more along the way. If you care about company building, sales and go-to-market strategy, or the future of innovation outside the usual suspects, this one is worth your time.

Steve Rossi, on Buffalo's business case

In this episode, WorkSport CEO Steve Rossi reveals why Buffalo is the secret weapon behind his company's rapid growth and why he chose it over Texas, Ohio, and his home base in Canada. Steve breaks down what makes Buffalo a legitimate manufacturing advantage: affordable, stable hydroelectric power, well-connected land, rail, and port corridors, and a workforce that pairs engineering talent with real work ethic. He also challenges the idea that cheap labor drives success and makes a compelling case for why quality, energy, and community matter more. Steve Rossi is the founder and CEO of WorkSport, with decades of experience in international trade and a focus on energy, manufacturing, and U.S. economic growth.

Sharon Cryan, on building FoodNerd in Buffalo

On this episode of The Series B Podcast, we sit down with Sharon Cryan, founder of FoodNerd, to explore how innovation in food science is reshaping the way we think about nutrition, shelf life, and access to healthy foods. Sharon shares the story behind FoodNerd’s mission, the challenges of building a food-tech company, and why Buffalo is becoming a place where big ideas can grow. From entrepreneurship to the future of food systems, this conversation dives into what it takes to build something groundbreaking in an industry ready for disruption.

Mike Pell, on how Microsoft does innovation

Mike Pell is the inventor of the PDF and Apple's stylized font menu. He now serves as Envisioneer at The Microsoft Garage, helping the tech giant and other industry customers rethink how they do all things innovation. On this episode, Mike discusses Microsoft's hackathon structure, how corporations should approach innovation, and why Buffalo is worth investing in.