Bianca Gonzalez, CEO of Santa Monica, California-based AMPAworks, was talking with Buffalo manufacturers even before applying to 43North’s 2022 pitch contest.
Just one part of the business’ hardware, which helps reduce costs and boost efficiencies by giving organizations full inventory visibilities, is built overseas. With the supply chain issues over the last few years, Gonzalez wanted to bring that production to the U.S. She thought Buffalo could be a good fit.
“I knew that Buffalo has a big manufacturing push,” she said. “I know hardware is at the heart of Buffalo, which is great. You don’t find that in San Francisco and Los Angeles – very software based.”
After being named one of the five $1 million prize winners at this year’s 43North contest, Gonzalez is now talking with or preparing to reach out to players in two other key industries, health care and higher education, that will help AMPAworks grow.
The startup has a camera that uses computer vision artificial intelligence to have full inventory visibilities. Right now, the business is focused on the health care sector, like hospitals, surgery centers, pharmacies and medical device companies.
Gonzalez said she’s already talked with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Annette Wysocki, University at Buffalo’s new dean of nursing.
The Western New York region has a lot of great hospitals with large supply chains, which makes it a market ripe with potential for AMPAworks. She sees Wegmans’ nearby Rochester headquarters as a good opportunity to learn more about their pharmacies.
She plans to be a guest lecturer at UB and wants to help the school work with the engineering school to create more technologies. Local colleges will also likely help foster talent for her future workforce.
In addition, Gonzalez is currently a fellow in Ripple Ventures’ program and hopes to bring that knowledge to Buffalo to help students launch businesses. The Toronto-based venture fund focuses on early-stage investments.
When she and co-founder John Chou started AMPAworks in 2018, they had less than a dozen small clinics on board. The company has since grown to over 20 large facilities, including clinics, hospitals and pharmacies. They’re expanding their clientele across the health care supply chain to manufacturers and warehouses.
“Every partner across the supply chain likes to see that data,” Gonzalez said. “Everybody is in the loop and sharing data, so we’re on the same page and not ordering way too much or too little.”
The startup began as a team of two co-founders and now has seven employees. The team is expected to double in the next few years, with most hires taking place in Buffalo. Gonzalez and two employees will move to the Queen City early next year, while the remaining staff work in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In addition to the $1 million 43North prize, AMPAworks has raised about $450,000 from venture funding, angels, friends and family.
Gonzalez also sees future growth potential in sectors like defense and military, gas and energy and retail.
"There's a lot of applications for management," she said.
