Buffalo, NY – October 2024 – FoodNerd, a food technology company revolutionizing the processing of shelf-stable foods, has been named one of the winners of the 2024 43North competition. The Buffalo-based startup not only secured one of five $1 million investments, but also took home the coveted $25,000 People’s Choice Award, chosen by the live audience.
The 43North competition, now in its 10th year, celebrates groundbreaking startups and has become a cornerstone in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Buffalo. The winners, selected from over 1,000 applicants, will relocate their operations to Buffalo’s iconic Seneca One Tower, where they’ll scale their businesses as part of 43North’s accelerator program.
For Sharon Cryan, CEO and founder of FoodNerd, the win marks a full-circle moment in her mission to redefine how we process shelf-stable foods. Sharon was born and raised in Buffalo by a disabled single mother who raised six children, and now, as a mother herself, Sharon is driven to create healthier options for future generations.
Sharon’s journey began when, as an attorney specializing in products liability, she learned just how much food companies could get away with in terms of ingredient quality and processing. Determined to make a difference, she founded FoodNerd with the goal of producing shelf-stable foods that aren’t just “better for you,” but truly the BEST for you.
FoodNerd’s patent-pending technology allows for the creation of nutrient-dense, shelf-stable foods that retain their essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients—essentially condensing the goodness of fresh fruits and vegetables into fun, convenient bite-sized pieces. “We’ve developed a way to make ultra-nutritious foods that eat like ultra-processed snacks,” says Cryan. “It’s all about giving people the best of both worlds: nutrient density and convenience.”
FoodNerd’s recent win will allow the company to scale its production in Buffalo, expanding operations in their new 30,000-square-foot commercial manufacturing facility. “This investment allows us to move from bench-top scale to a fully automated line where we can truly bring our products to market at scale,” Cryan said.
As part of her journey, Sharon has been mentored by last year’s 43North winner, Rebecca Brady of Top Seedz, who continues to inspire Buffalo’s food innovation scene.
About 43North
43North is a Buffalo-based accelerator program that invests $5 million annually into high-growth startups, helping them scale their businesses in Western New York. Each year, the competition selects five companies for $1 million investments, free incubator space, mentorship, and access to Buffalo’s growing entrepreneurial resources. For more information about 43North, visit 43north.org.
