When Cayden Vohwinkel graduated from the University at Buffalo, he didn’t expect to find his ideal opportunity just a few miles from campus.
He especially didn’t expect that opportunity to involve his passion for fishing.
However, thanks to a well-timed connection from a professor, Cayden found himself interning at Guidesly, a 43North-backed startup that fit him perfectly.
“I got an email from the CEO of Guidesly,” Cayden recalled. “They were looking for someone who understood startups, and who also loved fishing. I checked both boxes.”
While the opportunity came together in the right moment, through a combination of two disparate interests, it was a move that was years in the making.
FINDING HIS PASSIONS
Growing up in Akron, nearly 30 miles outside downtown Buffalo, Cayden learned to love fishing, hunting, and enjoying the great outdoors.
That intrinsic passion continued into college when he joined the University at Buffalo’s Fishing Club. Over his four years on campus, Cayden found a new community and expanded a hobby into something bigger – traveling with the club for trips and competitions, and rising from Treasurer to Vice President to President of the club by the time he was a senior at UB.
What he hadn’t yet found was a connection to downtown Buffalo, and the burgeoning startup and innovation economy taking shape there.
THE INTERNSHIP THAT CHANGED THE GAME
Soon after graduating from UB with his degree in entrepreneurship, Cayden’s path into that exciting industry took shape, with his introduction to Guidesly.
Guidesly is an AI-powered, product-driven startup that empowers fishing, hiking, and outdoor recreation guides with seamless booking, client management, and business growth solutions. The company relocated to Buffalo, NY in early 2025 after winning a $1 million investment in the 43North Finals – and has since raised a $9.5 million Series A round.
As a business development intern with Guidesly, Cayden had direct access to company leadership and a front-row seat to the inner workings of an early-stage startup.
“As an intern, I was running our CRM and email campaigns,” he said. “Seeing returns from those campaigns and knowing I helped drive that was incredibly rewarding.”
Now a full-time member of the Guidesly team, Cayden continues his work in business development, helping to build long-term strategies and engagement opportunities.
A large part of his role is showing outdoor guides – a community he knows well from his prior fishing experience – how they can grow their own businesses with the help of Guidesly.
DISCOVERING A NEW SIDE OF BUFFALO
When asked what makes working in Buffalo special, Cayden was quick to highlight what makes the Queen City a strong base for innovation.
“It’s a city that feels like a small town,” he said. “Everyone’s connected in some way, and there’s always someone willing to help you take that next step.”
That spirit of collaboration is on full display at Seneca One, where Cayden works alongside dozens of other startups on the 43North floor.
“I’ve met people from around the world here—founders, engineers, creators. It’s an incredible community.”
POWERING UP HIS CAREER IN TECH
While interning at Guidesly, Cayden also participated in the PowerUpTech program. That summer’s Tech Design Challenge – partnering up with other interns to develop a novel, technical solution for a local nonprofit – changed his outlook on what was possible for his career in Buffalo.
“We were placed in a group with other interns and challenged to solve a real community issue,” he said. “We built a prototype app for refugee services in Figma, pitched the solution, and walked away with this incredible feeling of, ‘Wow, we actually built something that could help people.’”
Now part of the PowerUpTech Alumni Advisory Board, Cayden is helping shape the program for future cohorts.
“I want the next group of interns to see just how many industries tech touches here, from healthcare to media to fishing,” he said. “This program gives you the chance to be part of something that could change your life.”
His message to future interns is simple:
“If you’re even thinking about applying to PowerUpTech: do it. You’ll build a network, make real contributions, and maybe even find your place in Buffalo’s startup world.”
