The LBA has a purpose-driven mission to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the greater Olean area.

HISTORY

Erick Laine is the former CEO and Chairman of Cutco Corporation, who passed away in December 2020, at the age of 87. Mr. Laine is known for his remarkable entrepreneurial leadership and generosity in the Olean and greater Cattaraugus County community. The Laine Business Accelerator is funded by the Erick Laine Entrepreneurship Fund, a memorial created after his passing, through the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation (CRCF) and administered by Olean Business Development Corporation (OBDC).

CORE VALUES

Give First

The accelerator in a phrase - “Give first mentality.” The group aims to eliminate scarcity mindset in business and ignite and foster entrepreneurial spirit, by creating a sustainable business community that gives first to the community.

Help Others to Fly

The cohort businesses may begin with a goal of individual business growth. However, they grow the most through the community that is formed among everyone in the program. A milestone for one, becomes a milestone for all to celebrate.

Inspire innovation

New ideas don’t easily spark without a group effort. The LBA Community encourages all forms of innovation, the more out of the box idea, the better. The cohort members bounce ideas off of one another and create solutions to each other's challenges that they may not have come up with otherwise.