WNY Impact Fund invests $750,000 in Top Seedz

Buffalo, N.Y. -The Western New York Impact Investment Fund is pleased to announce a $750,000 investment in Top Seedz. The deal will fuel the company’s expansion as it moves into a new downtown Buffalo facility and expands its national retail footprint.

This is the first deal of 2024 for the Fund after making four investments last year, despite the difficult environment for startup companies and fundraising. Each of those new portfolio companies are based in Western New York and dedicated to growing here, and 50% of them are led by racial minorities or women.

“Top Seedz is a woman-led company with a diverse workforce and an ambitious plan for the future,” WNY Impact Investment Fund CEO Tom Quinn said. “They’ve got a track record of growth and deep brand loyalty. We’re coming in to catalyze that momentum as Top Seedz embarks on the next phase of its mission.”

The WNY Impact Investment Fund considers investments equally for their social impact and commercial promise. The Fund has now made 20 investments in 12 different companies, totaling $10.4 million. Those companies have created more than 500 jobs, with 73% of those employees coming from underprivileged populations.

Top Seedz was founded in 2017 by Clarence resident Rebecca Brady, based on the nutritious recipes she developed for her own children. The company’s organic, vegan, gluten-free crackers account for the majority of its sales, but plans are in place to invest into an expanded product mix. Top Seedz is moving from its current location in Cheektowaga to a much larger, 35,000- square-foot headquarters and production facility on Oak Street in Buffalo.

“We’re thrilled to bring on an investment partner that aligns with our principles but also brings experience in helping manufacturing startups grow,” Brady said. “This is a moment of transformation for our company as we expand through the U.S. and significantly increase our production capacity.”

Brady has worked tirelessly to build her company’s brand as she expanded on the back of partnerships with Wegmans, Whole Foods and other retailers, along with a growing e- commerce business. The company expects to announce exciting new partnerships with recognizable retail brands in 2024.

Top Seedz won a $50,000 Ignite Buffalo grant in 2018 and then won $1 million in the state- funded 43North competition in 2021.

“The Top Seedz growth story is a prime example of how a business can leverage all that Buffalo has to offer and substantially accelerate their growth,” 43North president Colleen Heidinger said. “It’s thrilling to think that the ripple effects and community impact stemming from this growth will only increase with Rebecca’s continued success and commitment to our local community.”

Resettled refugees have become an important part of Buffalo’s workforce, helping to fill gaps left by retiring baby boomers and people who stopped working during the Covid-19 pandemic. Top Seedz is a leader in this movement, partnering with regional nonprofit Journey’s End to identify and recruit talent, and Community Services for Every1, which provides vocational training for clients three times a week at the Top Seedz facility. Top Seedz now has 42 fulltime employees and 89% of them are refugees, representing 15 different countries.

The goal is to become a top consumer packaged goods company in its category.

“Buffalo-based entrepreneurs are capable of building market-leading companies that have a positive impact on the community,” Quinn said. “Our Fund stands for that belief, and investments like Top Seedz are proving its truth.”