The Exchange At Beverly Gray

Name

The Exchange At Beverly Gray

Legal name

The Exchange at Beverly Gray

Website

https://theexchangeatbeverlygray.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation & Entrepreneur Support Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

Keywords

• Business incubation services
• Coworking space access
• Entrepreneur training programs
• Small business advisory
• MWBE certification support

Headquarters

HQ city

Buffalo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that receives funding through donations, corporate sponsorships, and government grants to support its mission of serving BIPOC entrepreneurs.
2. Educational Programs: Revenue from paid educational programs including the Entrepreneur Enrichment Program ($100 for 12 weeks) and potentially other paid workshops and courses.
3. Coworking Memberships: Revenue from coworking space memberships including starter plans at $30/month and platinum passes at $250/month, plus free day passes for trial.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Exchange at Beverly Gray is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Entrepreneur Service Organization that runs a business incubator and coworking space (Ignite Labs) specifically for BIPOC and underrepresented entrepreneurs in Buffalo, NY. It delivers a 12-week Entrepreneur Enrichment Program, workshops and classes, free small business clinics (Legal, Loan, Finance, Tax, Insurance, Grants, Trademark, Photography), mentorship/coaching, MWBE certification support, and funding assistance through KIVA and local CDFIs.

Product overview

The Exchange at Beverly Gray is a 501(c)3 nonprofit Entrepreneur Service Organization that serves as a business incubator and coworking space specifically for BIPOC and underrepresented entrepreneurs in Buffalo, NY. The organization operates through Ignite Labs (its coworking space brand) and offers a portfolio of services including the 12-week Entrepreneur Enrichment Program (EEP), workshops and classes, business development services with MWBE certification support, free small business clinics (Legal, Loan, Finance, Tax, Insurance, Grants, Trademark, Photography, and more), mentorship and coaching programs, and funding assistance through partnerships with KIVA and local CDFIs. The organization was established in 2016 by Mayor Byron Brown and is the first incubator in Western New York specifically serving BIPOC entrepreneurs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ignite Labs: The first co-working space on the east side of Buffalo, part of The Exchange at Beverly Gray ecosystem
• Ignite Labs

Products and services

• Ignite Labs Coworking Membership The first coworking space on Buffalo's east side, offering free day passes and membership plans ($30/month starter and $250/month platinum) for BIPOC entrepreneurs to access workspace, amenities, room booking, and resources managed via the Coworks platform.
• Entrepreneur Enrichment Program (EEP) A 12-week paid course priced at $100 providing information, tips, exercises, and tools to help aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs refine their business concept across five modules: Ideate, Position, Commit, Refine, and Launch.
• Workshops and Classes

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple businesses have obtained funding through KIVA (0% interest loans) and other sources
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University at BuffalocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides additional access and benefits to Ignite Labs program members including: NYS tax exemptions for businesses formed under the program, access to University at Buffalo law school for legal assistance, and leverage of Maven platform for research and customer discovery.
• CoworkscoreTechnology or IntegrationIgnite Labs runs on Coworks coworking software allowing members to use a mobile app to book rooms and resources, with staff managing billing, events, and reporting through a streamlined dashboard. Platform was chosen for its scalability to support opening more campuses.
• Black Founded PlatformminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Founded Platform will be used by Ignite Labs to help catalyze growth in Western New York for Black entrepreneurs.
• Western New York Law CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free business law services to BIPOC entrepreneurs through the Small Business Legal Clinic. The SBLC mission is to promote neighborhood revitalization and socioeconomic mobility by providing low-income entrepreneurs with legal services.
• Operation HOPEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free small business finance advisory services, helping small business owners access credit and capital through credit report review, business budget setup, and personal/business finance management with dedicated Small Business Coaches.
• Advance Tax Services, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for free tax advisory services to BIPOC business owners through the Small Business Tax Clinic.
• Lawley InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free insurance advisory services and grant advisory services to BIPOC business owners through dedicated clinics.
• SCORE Buffalo NiagaracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free small business mentorship through the Mentor Clinic, connecting entrepreneurs with seasoned business professionals for guidance.
• Latasha Lessington, Esq.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free trademark advisory services to assist business owners with USPTO registration through the Trademark Clinic.
• Community Services for Every1coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Black Business Month celebrations and entrepreneurial ecosystem development in Buffalo.
• Blanc PhotographieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides professional headshots and product photography services for local entrepreneurs through the Photography Clinic.
• Alicia Officer / Halo Financial GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides small business accounting advisory services through the Accounting Clinic.
• The Bricks CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides strategic support for food business model clarity and team building through the Food Clinic.
• KenBoii CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides graphic design services for business logos through the Logo Clinic.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• KIVA: Crowdfunding platform for 0%-interest small business loans, used by multiple Exchange members (What's Pop-In, Laura Lees BBQ) to raise capital. Comparable as a capital-access enabler for BIPOC and underserved entrepreneurs, though KIVA is a global platform rather than a local incubator.

Broad incumbents

• SCORE: National SBA-backed mentoring and small business advisory network with a Buffalo Niagara chapter that is an active Exchange partner. Comparable as a free business mentorship and education provider for entrepreneurs, though SCORE serves all demographics rather than BIPOC-focused.
• Urban League: Large national civil rights and economic empowerment organization running entrepreneurship centers, CDFI-linked lending, and small business development programs in BIPOC communities. Comparable mission and community-based service model, but at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.

Emerging players

• Goodie Nation: Nonprofit ecosystem builder supporting BIPOC tech founders through cohort-based programs, mentorship, and corporate partner matching. Comparable focus on BIPOC entrepreneurs and nonprofit-led cohort programming, though Goodie Nation is more tech/startup oriented.

Direct peers

• Fearless Fund: Venture fund and ecosystem platform specifically supporting BIPOC women entrepreneurs with capital, coaching, and community. Comparable mission focus on BIPOC founders and emphasis on combining capital with advisory and incubation-style support.
• Bunker Labs: National nonprofit incubator supporting military-connected entrepreneurs, including a strong BIPOC veteran focus. Comparable as a community-based business incubator that combines cohort programming, mentorship, and capital connections for an underrepresented founder segment.
• Operation HOPE: National nonprofit delivering financial literacy, credit and capital access coaching, and small business advisory to underserved communities. A direct partner of The Exchange (Finance Clinic); comparable mission of equipping BIPOC entrepreneurs with capital access and financial tools.
• BUILD: National nonprofit running entrepreneurship programs for young people from under-resourced communities, providing mentorship, college and career readiness, and incubator-style support. Comparable target demographic (underrepresented founders) and educational programming model.
• Black Founders: Nonprofit ecosystem organization supporting Black startup founders through events, mentorship, and connections to capital. Comparable BIPOC founder focus and nonprofit-led delivery model, with overlap on raising visibility and providing resource pathways for Black entrepreneurs.
• Pacific Community Ventures: Nonprofit providing capital, coaching, and connections to small business owners in underserved communities, including explicit BIPOC and minority-owned business programs. Comparable combination of business advisory, capital navigation, and BIPOC-focused programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheExchangeBG
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheExchangeBuffalo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theexchangebuffalo
• Instagraminstagram.com/TheExchangeBuffalo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Exchange At Beverly Gray