As reported in Buffalo Inno, Jeca Energy Bars claimed victory in this year’s Inno Madness competition. The UB Cultivator portfolio company, which makes all-natural, plant-based artisanal energy bars, got 64.8% of the votes in the final round. Inno Madness is an annual bracket-style competition where readers to vote based on which companies they would invest their dollars in.
Jeca was founded in 2015, and founder/CEO Ree Dolnick left her job as a cancer researcher in 2017 to focus on the business full time. In 2024, Jeca announced an expanding partnership with Whole Foods, partnered with M&T Bank and was featured in their national commercial, and completed an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round.
Inno Madness brought together Jeca’s team and community support. Dolnick’s advice to future participants? Have fun with it.
“Every company is in a different situation and what might work for one doesn’t work for another, but I think everybody has the opportunity to make it a grassroots operation,” she said. “Because that makes it fun.”
Read the y in Buffalo Inno (paid subscription required).