Z80 Labs Technology Incubator

Z80 Labs Technology Incubator was a Buffalo, New York-based organization established in 2011 with the mission to foster the growth of early-stage internet-based technology companies. Founded by Jordan Levy and Jack Greco, Z80 Labs aimed to ignite the local tech sector by providing a comprehensive support system for startups. This included offering essential seed funding, dedicated office facilities, and valuable mentorship to help nascent companies navigate the challenges of early development and achieve market readiness. The incubator was notably one of the initial tenants within the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus' Innovation Center, positioning itself at the heart of the region's emerging innovation hub.

The incubator's investment strategy focused on providing critical early-stage capital to promising ventures. Z80 Labs typically offered seed funding ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 per company, a significant boost for startups in their formative stages. Beyond financial support, the incubator emphasized hands-on guidance and a collaborative environment, aiming to accelerate the development of its portfolio companies. At its inception, Z80 Labs articulated an ambitious goal to cultivate between 10 to 15 companies within its first three years of operation, demonstrating its commitment to building a robust pipeline of tech innovation in Buffalo.

Among its notable incubated companies was NimbleTV, a streaming video service that Z80 Labs helped launch in 2011. NimbleTV later gained significant traction and was acquired by Synacor Inc. in 2014, showcasing a successful exit for a company nurtured within the Z80 Labs ecosystem. While Z80 Labs played a foundational role in the early 2010s Buffalo tech scene, public information regarding its activities beyond approximately 2015 is scarce, and its official website is no longer active. This suggests that the incubator may have ceased operations or significantly altered its focus, concluding its active period as a direct incubator and seed investor.