Dan Gigante
Developer & Marketing Entrepreneur
Building digital experiences that connect brands with their audience. Co-founder of a marketing agency and serial entrepreneur with a passion for technology and community impact.
About Me
I'm a passionate developer and entrepreneur with extensive experience building digital products and growing businesses. Together with my wife, I run a marketing company that helps brands connect with their audience through strategic digital campaigns.
My journey includes founding You and Who, a social enterprise that combined apparel with community impact, and co-founding 19 Ideas, a marketing agency. With a background in development and a passion for social good, I bring a unique perspective to both technical implementation and business strategy.
When I'm not coding or strategizing marketing campaigns, you can find me exploring new technologies, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, or engaging with community initiatives in Buffalo, NY.
My Latest Obsession - Vibe Coding
Vibe coding is not the same as AI-Assisted engineering
At 19 Ideas, we're constantly experimenting with new tools and technologies, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in marketing, design, and development. The Workshop is our playground for these creations.
From concept to launch, we develop projects that solve real problems, entertain, educate, and inspire. Each creation reflects our commitment to thoughtful design and technical excellence.
Visit The Workshop
Exploring the intersection of creativity and technology through hands-on experimentation and rapid prototyping.
Career Journey
A closer look at the companies and organizations that have shaped my professional path.
Co-founded and led 19 IDEAS, a full-service marketing agency that combined strategic thinking with creative execution to help brands connect with their audiences.
- •Grew the agency to serve major regional and national clients
- •Developed comprehensive marketing strategies and campaigns
- •Built and led a talented team of creative and technical professionals
- •Integrated digital marketing, branding, and web development services
The 19 Ideas team (including Ellie!)
Co-founded Went, a marketing company focused on helping businesses develop effective digital strategies and brand experiences.
- •Strategic marketing planning and execution
- •Brand development and positioning
- •Digital campaign management and optimization
- •Web development and digital experience design
Dan & Katie - the Went team
Professional & Personal Timeline
A chronological journey through my career, startup involvement, and speaking engagements.
Co-founder of 19 IDEAS, a full-service marketing agency that combines strategic thinking with creative execution to help brands connect with their audiences.
Current marketing company co-founded with my wife.
Served as a mentor for the event.
Pitched TILT ('this is like that'), which received the most votes and won the event.
Served as an advisor to the organizers. Pitched Tocho.
Served as a main organizer for the event.
Founded You and Who, a social enterprise that combined apparel with community impact. For every item sold, we donated a matching item to someone in need.
Involvement with 26 Shirts, a cause-based apparel company.
Served as a main organizer for the event.
Served as a main organizer. Pitched 'threesquare meals' and won the event.
Delivered a talk titled 'It's Not Win or Lose, It's Win or Learn'.
Watch or learn moreServed as a main organizer. Pitched 'Headcount'.
Served as a main organizer. Joined a team called 'LookTag' which placed 2nd.
Served as a main organizer for the first Buffalo Startup Weekend. Pitched 'Tallygator'.
First Startup Weekend experience. Pitched an idea that didn't move forward. Almost joined team Rosie, which is still around today.
Worked at clevermethod, a digital agency.
Worked at Intranology, focusing on web development and digital solutions.
Worked at Aurora Consulting Group, providing technical consulting services.
Served in the United States Air Force as a Computer Programmer.
Startup Weekend Journey
My extensive involvement with Startup Weekend events as an organizer, mentor, and participant.
Startup Weekend has been a significant part of my entrepreneurial journey. I've been involved in 14 Startup Weekend events - 9 in Buffalo and 5 in other cities across the US. My roles have ranged from main organizer to mentor to participant.
These events have not only shaped my own path but have also contributed to Buffalo's startup ecosystem. I've witnessed firsthand how these intensive 54-hour events can transform ideas into viable businesses and change the trajectory of participants' lives.
- Buffalo Startup Weekend #9 (April 22, 2022)
Served as a mentor for the event.
- Buffalo Startup Weekend #8 (September 14, 2018) - Winner!
Pitched TILT ("this is like that"), which received the most votes and won the event.
- Buffalo Startup Weekend #7 (September 29, 2017)
Served as an advisor to the organizers. Pitched Tocho.
- Buffalo Startup Weekend #6 (October 16, 2016)
Served as a main organizer for the event.
- Buffalo Startup Weekend #5 (October 23, 2015)
Served as a main organizer for the event.
- Buffalo Startup Weekend #4 (October 24, 2014) - Winner!
Served as a main organizer. Pitched "threesquare meals" and won the event.
- Buffalo Startup Weekend #3 (October 4, 2013)
Served as a main organizer. Pitched "Headcount".
- Buffalo Startup Weekend #2 (March 1, 2013) - 2nd Place
Served as a main organizer. Joined a team called "LookTag" which placed 2nd.
- Buffalo Startup Weekend #1 (November 16, 2012)
Served as a main organizer for the first Buffalo Startup Weekend. Pitched "Tallygator".
- Seattle, WA (2015)
Mentored at two Startup Weekend events on the same weekend - Bothell and Startup Weekend Girls. Was particularly impressed with the middle school girls' pitches and presentations.
- Los Angeles, CA (2014)
Mentored at Startup Weekend in Los Angeles as part of the 43North Road Show spreading the word about the competition.
- Columbus, OH (2014)
Mentored at Startup Weekend in Columbus as part of the 43North Road Show spreading the word about the competition.
- Ithaca, NY (2012)
My first Startup Weekend experience. Pitched an idea that didn't move forward. Almost joined team Rosie, which is still around today and has become a successful company.
At Buffalo Startup Weekend #8 in September 2018, I pitched an idea I had been thinking about for almost two years - "this is like that" (TILT). Just before pitching, I realized the acronym formed a great name for the app.
After everyone pitched their ideas, participants voted for their favorites. My TILT idea received the most votes! Peter Cimino, his son, and their friend joined my team to work on the concept throughout the weekend.
This experience exemplifies what makes Startup Weekend special - the opportunity to test ideas, form teams with talented strangers, and build something meaningful in just 54 hours.
Speaking Engagements
Sharing insights and experiences through talks and presentations.
It's Not Win or Lose, It's Win or Learn
A talk delivered at TEDxYouth@Buffalo about embracing failure as a learning opportunity and how this mindset can lead to greater success and innovation.
More speaking engagements will be added as information becomes available.
Skills & Expertise
A combination of technical skills and business acumen developed over years of building and growing companies with social impact.
Random Shots
A collection of personal adventures, achievements, and memorable experiences.
Participated in the famous Running of the Bulls festival (San Fermín) in Pamplona, Spain.
Attended every single Buffalo Sabres home game during the 2006-2007 season, including all playoff games.
Visited every NHL arena to watch a game, a journey spanning over two decades. Just one more to go with Utah's new team!
Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
Buffalo, NY
Multiple visits
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY
Home arena, countless games
Scotiabank Arena
Toronto, ON
PPG Paints Arena
Pittsburgh, PA
Feb 6, 2016
Mellon Arena
Pittsburgh, PA
Former arena
Canadian Tire Centre
Ottawa, ON
TD Garden
Boston, MA
Bell Centre
Montreal, QC
Madison Square Garden
New York, NY
UBS Arena
Elmont, NY
Islanders
Nassau Coliseum
Uniondale, NY
Former Islanders arena
Prudential Center
Newark, NJ
Devils
Continental Airlines Arena
East Rutherford, NJ
Former Devils arena
Capital One Arena
Washington, DC
April 7, 2007
Wells Fargo Center
Philadelphia, PA
Multiple visits
United Center
Chicago, IL
7 visits
Enterprise Center
St. Louis, MO
SAP Center
San Jose, CA
April 2, 2002
Crypto.com Arena
Los Angeles, CA
April 3, 2002
Honda Center
Anaheim, CA
Multiple visits
PNC Arena
Raleigh, NC
2 playoff games in 2006
Ball Arena
Denver, CO
McNichols Sports Arena
Denver, CO
Former Avalanche arena
Little Caesars Arena
Detroit, MI
Joe Louis Arena
Detroit, MI
Former Red Wings arena
Nationwide Arena
Columbus, OH
Feb 6, 2010
Amerant Bank Arena
Sunrise, FL
Panthers, Feb 8, 2011
Amalie Arena
Tampa, FL
Feb 10, 2011
Mullett Arena
Tempe, AZ
America West Arena
Phoenix, AZ
Former Coyotes arena
American Airlines Center
Dallas, TX
Feb 29, 2012
Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, TN
Jan 31, 2014
Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, MN
Nov 13, 2014
T-Mobile Arena
Las Vegas, NV
March 1, 2022
Climate Pledge Arena
Seattle, WA
Oct 25, 2022
Canada Life Centre
Winnipeg, MB
Oct 17, 2023
Rogers Place
Edmonton, AB
March 16, 2024
Scotiabank Saddledome
Calgary, AB
March 18, 2024
Rogers Arena
Vancouver, BC
March 19, 2024
Delta Center
Salt Lake City, UT
New team in 2024
My love for hockey has led me on an incredible journey across North America, visiting every NHL arena to watch a game. This quest began in the late 1990s and continued through 2024, with my most recent visits being to Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver in March 2024.
The journey has included visits to both current and former arenas, playoff games, and countless Buffalo Sabres matchups in various cities. With the recent addition of a team in Utah, there's one more arena to add to the list!
Beyond just visiting arenas, the 2006-2007 season stands out as I attended every single Buffalo Sabres home game, including all playoff games, witnessing one of the most exciting seasons in team history.
Get in Touch
Interested in working together or have a question? Feel free to reach out.
hello@dangigante.com
Phone
Contact via email
Location
Buffalo, NY