TUKKI HEADS TO BUFFALO WITH A $1M WIN

The road to $1M in Buffalo

Contributor

Tukki

Reading time

5 mins read

Date published

Oct 20, 2025

Last week, Tukki was announced as one of the winners of the 43North competition, securing a $1M investment and entry into the 43North accelerator program in the U.S.

Every year, 43North brings together different startups to compete for funding, mentorship, and a chance to join Buffalo’s growing tech scene. This year’s cohort drew more than 1,000 applicants, from which Tukki stood out among the final 8 companies pitching live on stage.

It is a recognition of how far we have come and a clear sign of what is next.

Ramiro Roballos and tukki winning the 43north competition

Why Tukki is opting for Buffalo and why now

Buffalo is not a random destination. The city has become a rising hub for founders who are building purposeful, impact-driven technology. Its strategic location between the U.S. and Canada, just a few hours from New York, Washington D.C., and Toronto, creates opportunities for collaboration and cross-border growth.

Through 43North’s network, Tukki will now be able to expand its B2B efforts while continuing to strengthen the B2C product we have been refining over the past years.

“We’ve been testing the platform with B2C clients, iterating every detail, and ensuring that each experience feels personalized and seamless,” says Ramiro Roballos, Tukki’s CEO and co-founder. “Now, we’re ready to scale.”

The vision we're scaling

Tukki’s platform helps founders and professionals navigate the U.S. visa process in a more organized, smooth, and precise way.

Unlike traditional law firms that rely on scattered tools and delayed communication, Tukki integrates every step, from attorney reviews to client updates, inside a single transparent system.

The goal is simple: make immigration simpler, faster, and more human.

“This investment gives us the runway to accelerate what we already know works,” Ramiro adds. “It’s the right moment to grow, to connect with new partners, and to keep building technology that simplifies one of the most complex journeys in a person’s life.”

It takes a village

Before the final results were announced, Ramiro sent a message to the Tukki team:

Ramiro Roballos, message to tukki team before the results

When Tukki’s name was finally called, the celebration did not stay in Buffalo. From different corners of the world, the team was watching live, refreshing the stream, and sending all-caps messages of joy.

Because beyond the funding, this moment is about what it represents: a shared belief that immigration can be reimagined, and a global team working toward that mission together.

Reaction of tukki team after winning 43north

What’s next for Tukki?

Ramiro will soon be heading to Buffalo to start the next chapter with 43North.

If you are part of the Buffalo startup ecosystem or nearby, reach out to him on LinkedIn. He would love to connect.

And as they say in Buffalo: Go Bills!

WE CAN HELP

Need more clarity?

Find quick answers to frequent visa questions from our legal experts

What is an RFE?

RFEs or Requests for Evidence is not a rejection or necessarily a bad sign.

The tone of the RFE can give you an idea of their level of doubt about your petition. The officer reviewing your case might be buying time during busy periods, for example, if they have to give you a response in 15 business days because you filed for premium processing and the workload is too high to process your case in time.

If the RFE includes questions about the factual sufficiency or legality of your case, it likely means they need more evidence or more explanations, or both, before approving the case. Neither of these cases signal an outright or even a likely rejection.

Can I transfer a cap-exempt H-1B to a private company?

Moving from a cap-exempt employer to a cap-subject employer generally requires going through the H-1B lottery, because the cap exemption is tied to the employer, not the individual.

However, there are two exceptions. If you were previously counted against the H-1B cap and still have time remaining on your six-year limit, you may qualify for an exemption from the lottery.

If you hold both a cap-exempt and a cap-subject position concurrently, the cap-subject employer can file an H-1B petition without going through the lottery, since you've already been counted against the cap through your concurrent employment.

Can I pay the H-1B premium processing fee online?

Yes, in certain cases.

If the H-1B petition is filed online, the premium processing fee may also be paid electronically.
If the petition is filed on paper, USCIS generally requires Form I-907 to be submitted in paper form with a physical payment.

Because USCIS filing and payment methods change frequently and often require online payment through ACH or credit card systems, it is important to review USCIS’s official instructions to confirm the current requirements.

What should I do if my I-94 has an error?

If you notice an incorrect admission class, wrong date, or any other mistake on your I-94, you should request a correction through CBP's Deferred Inspection process or visit a local CBP office.

Don't wait, because an uncorrected I-94 error can cause problems with future visa filings, employment verification, and green card applications.

Who pays for a US work visa, the employer or the employee?

For most employer-sponsored visas like the H-1B, the employer is legally required to pay certain fees, including the I-129 base filing fee, the ACWIA Training Fee, and the Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee.

The employer cannot pass these costs to the employee.

Premium processing fees can sometimes be paid by either party, depending on who benefits from faster processing.

Consular fees and travel costs are typically the employee’s responsibility.

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