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Buffalo Niagara has approximately 12,900 tech jobs across 5,200 tech and tech-enabled firms, according to extensive research by Tech Buffalo and the University at Buffalo Regional Institute. Between 2010 and 2019, tech jobs here grew at a rate of 4%, trailing our peer cities and the top ten national tech hubs. While our region has certainly created an exciting tech scene, sustaining and increasing its growth presents serious challenges. In the competition for the right employees and businesses in this emerging economy – talent is everything.   

Data and slide provided by Tech Buffalo  

The BNP’s new Tech Industry Leaders Forum met for the first time on June 8, bringing together a diverse group of decision makers to focus on the pressing question - How Can Buffalo Niagara continue creating an inclusive tech economy while attracting and retaining talent? 

The Tech ILF was joined by regional companies and organizations that work every day to grow the tech ecosystem and to connect job seekers to meaningful careers: 

Nicholas Kosinski, Managing Director | Odoo 

Emily Melendez, Business Development Supervisor  | Say Yes Buffalo  

 Kenya Hobbs, Director of Community Engagement & Equity Initiatives  | Buffalo Niagara Partnership  

Rob Leteste, Business Intelligence & Workforce Manager  | Invest Buffalo Niagara   

Pete Petrella, Practice Leader-Executive Search  | TalentRise 

Sarah Tanbakuchi, President & CEO | Tech Buffalo 

Robert Fonseca, Director of University Success | University at Buffalo Digital Skills Bootcamp 

Sarah Falzone, Talent Acquisition Consultant  | SPARQ   

Our panelists discussed the talent question in two parts: 

The Individual: Connecting job seekers/employees to the right talent attraction, retention, and training resources. 

and  

The Region: Positioning Buffalo Niagara as a destination for tech employees and businesses.  

Jobs in tech span every employment sector, from startups and tech companies to every size and type of business. The insights from our panelists apply to all companies that rely on technology to reach their goals as well as the entire region’s efforts to grow the tech economy. Employers must present an honest and transparent work culture that clearly explains expectations and opportunities for advancement. Employers should also make local connections earlier in the educational system, presenting tech career pathways to students, years before they are active job seekers. In addition to connecting with local young people, the region must continue to welcome in international talent and work together to remove barriers presented to foreign students and professionals who are striving to create a new life in Buffalo Niagara. The new Tech ILF creates an opportunity to create strategies focused on these pressing issues, and to keep the dialogue going within this essential economic sector.  

The Tech ILF is one of nine created to discuss the status of business in the sector by sharing data and plans for the year and beyond. Learn more about the new BNP Industry Leaders Forum here.