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.

Dan Gigante

Career Journey

A closer look at the companies and organizations that have shaped my professional path.

19 Ideas
2011 - Present
Co-Founder
Buffalo, NY

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
19 Ideas
Went
2021 - Present
Co-Founder
Buffalo, NY

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
Went

Professional & Personal Timeline

A chronological journey through my career, startup involvement, and speaking engagements.

19 Ideas
2011 - Present
Buffalo, NY

Co-founder of 19 IDEAS, a full-service marketing agency that combines strategic thinking with creative execution to help brands connect with their audiences.

Marketing
Agency
Co-founder
Went
2021 - Present
Buffalo, NY

Current marketing company co-founded with my wife.

Marketing
Current
Buffalo Startup Weekend #9
2022-04-22
Buffalo, NY

Served as a mentor for the event.

Mentor
Buffalo Startup Weekend #8 - Winner!
2018-09-14
Buffalo, NY

Pitched TILT ('this is like that'), which received the most votes and won the event.

Participant
Pitch Winner
Buffalo Startup Weekend #7
2017-09-29
Buffalo, NY

Served as an advisor to the organizers. Pitched Tocho.

Advisor
Participant
Buffalo Startup Weekend #6
2016-10-16
Buffalo, NY

Served as a main organizer for the event.

Organizer
You and Who
2009 - 2016
Buffalo, NY

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.

Social Enterprise
Founder
26 Shirts
2013 - 2016
Buffalo, NY

Involvement with 26 Shirts, a cause-based apparel company.

Social Enterprise
Buffalo Startup Weekend #5
2015-10-23
Buffalo, NY

Served as a main organizer for the event.

Organizer
Buffalo Startup Weekend #4 - Winner!
2014-10-24
Buffalo, NY

Served as a main organizer. Pitched 'threesquare meals' and won the event.

Organizer
Participant
Pitch Winner
TEDxYouth@Buffalo
2014-03-24
Buffalo, NY

Delivered a talk titled 'It's Not Win or Lose, It's Win or Learn'.

Watch or learn more
TEDx
Public Speaking
Buffalo Startup Weekend #3
2013-10-04
Buffalo, NY

Served as a main organizer. Pitched 'Headcount'.

Organizer
Participant
Buffalo Startup Weekend #2 - 2nd Place
2013-03-01
Buffalo, NY

Served as a main organizer. Joined a team called 'LookTag' which placed 2nd.

Organizer
Participant
2nd Place
Buffalo Startup Weekend #1
2012-11-16
Buffalo, NY

Served as a main organizer for the first Buffalo Startup Weekend. Pitched 'Tallygator'.

Organizer
Participant
Startup Weekend Ithaca
2012
Ithaca, NY

First Startup Weekend experience. Pitched an idea that didn't move forward. Almost joined team Rosie, which is still around today.

Participant
clevermethod
2007 - 2011
Buffalo, NY

Worked at clevermethod, a digital agency.

Digital Agency
Development
Intranology
2005 - 2007
Buffalo, NY

Worked at Intranology, focusing on web development and digital solutions.

Web Development
Aurora Consulting Group
2003 - 2005
Buffalo, NY

Worked at Aurora Consulting Group, providing technical consulting services.

Consulting
Technical Services
United States Air Force
1999 - 2003
Various Locations

Served in the United States Air Force.

Military Service
Technical Training

Startup Weekend Journey

My extensive involvement with Startup Weekend events as an organizer, mentor, and participant.

My Startup Weekend Story
A passion for entrepreneurial community building

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.

13 Events
Organizer
Mentor
Participant
Pitch Winner
Startup Weekend
Buffalo Startup Weekends
8 events from 2012 to 2019
  • 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".

43North Road Show
Mentoring across the country
  • 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.

First Startup Weekend Experience
Where it all began
  • 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.

The TILT Story
From idea to pitch winner at Buffalo Startup Weekend #8

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.

TEDxYouth@Buffalo
TEDx
March 24, 2014

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.

TEDxYouth@BuffaloWatch Talk

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.

Development
JavaScript
TypeScript
React
Next.js
Node.js
Web Development
Full-Stack Development
Responsive Design
API Integration
CMS Platforms
Marketing
Digital Strategy
Brand Development
Content Marketing
Social Media
Email Marketing
Marketing Analytics
Campaign Management
Conversion Optimization
Marketing Automation
Integrated Marketing
Entrepreneurship
Business Strategy
Social Enterprise
Team Leadership
Business Development
Strategic Partnerships
Financial Planning
Startup Growth
Community Impact
Cause Marketing
Sustainable Business Models
Design & UX
UI/UX Design
Wireframing
Prototyping
User Research
Design Thinking
Brand Design
Design Systems
Accessibility
Information Architecture
Visual Communication

Random Shots

A collection of personal adventures, achievements, and memorable experiences.

Running with the Bulls
Running with the Bulls
2003
Pamplona, Spain

Participated in the famous Running of the Bulls festival (San Fermín) in Pamplona, Spain.

Buffalo Sabres Fan
Ultimate Sabres Fan
2006-2007
Buffalo, NY

Attended every single Buffalo Sabres home game during the 2006-2007 season, including all playoff games.

NHL Arena Tour
NHL Arena Quest
1998-2024
North America

Visited every NHL arena to watch a game, a journey spanning over two decades. Just one more to go with Utah's new team!

NHL Arena Journey
39 of 40 NHL arenas visited (98% complete)
39 / 40 Arenas

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

The Hockey Journey
A passion for the game that's taken me across North America

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.

Hockey Fan
Arena Tour
Buffalo Sabres
NHL
North America

Get in Touch

Interested in working together or have a question? Feel free to reach out.

Contact Information
Here's how you can reach me directly

Email

hello@dangigante.com

Phone

Contact via email

Location

Buffalo, NY

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