New Faces, Big Investments, and Empowering Connections: Launch NY’s Latest Milestones

Launch NY Invests $75,000 in Ognomy to Support Nationwide Expansion of Telemedicine Platform

Launch NY is pleased to announce a $75,000 investment in Ognomy, a Buffalo-based telemedicine startup that’s revolutionizing sleep apnea care. This latest funding brings Launch NY’s total commitment to Ognomy to $350,000 since 2022, supporting the company’s growth as it expands into the final six states, enhances its platform, and continues to improve access to care for sleep apnea patients.

“Ognomy is a perfect example of how our ecosystem is growing by using a variety of local resources, then adding an ever wider group of funders and partnerships,” said Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D., President and CEO of Launch NY.

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Daniel Rifkin, Ognomy’s telemedicine platform has already served over 12,000 patients across 44 states, with plans for nationwide coverage by the end of 2024. The company’s innovative model addresses critical gaps in traditional sleep apnea care, helping to serve the millions of undiagnosed individuals across the U.S.

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Welcome Thomas Quinn Jr. as Launch NY’s New Director of Operations

We are thrilled to welcome Thomas Quinn Jr. to the Launch NY team as our new Director of Operations. A proud Western New Yorker and longtime supporter of the Buffalo community, Thomas brings a wealth of experience in finance, investment management, and the tech start-up space. With a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Duquesne University, Thomas spent several years as a Portfolio Analyst and Financial Advisor before transitioning to tech, where he helped build the North American Mid-Market and Corporate team at Odoo.

Thomas’s passion for the Western New York entrepreneurial ecosystem, combined with his deep understanding of financial services and operational strategy, makes him a perfect fit for Launch NY as we continue to grow and support the region’s innovators.

Please join us in welcoming Thomas to the Launch NY family!

Going Big: How Diverse Founders Are Leading the Way in WNY

On September 24th, Launch NY, joined by University at Buffalo Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships as sponsor, hosted the Going Big Founder Connect at the Northland Workforce Training Center, where current and aspiring underserved diverse founders came together to network and learn about high-growth entrepreneurship. The panel featured inspiring founders Vanessa Cervantes (J&V AgroTech Innovations), Reginald Douglas (Big Daddy Garden Caddy), and Leslie Woodward (Edenesque Plant Based Milk), who shared their experiences and the impact of mentorship and funding on their success.

“This event gave our current founders the space to connect off-screen and potential founders the opportunity to learn about high-growth entrepreneurship from the perspective of underserved founders who are making it happen,” said our Founders Go Big Program Manager, Crystal Wallace.

Founders Go Big, started through funding from JPMorgan Chase, provides additional programming and resources to underrepresented founders who are interested in growing a venture capital backed business to at least $10 million in annual revenues in 5-7 years.

Learn More about Founders Go Big

Join Us at the Founders & Investors Breakfast – Networking and Insights on Venture Capital Trends in Clean Energy and Climate Tech

With sponsorship from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Launch NY is excited to host the second of its Founders & Investors Breakfast Series at this year’s NYS Innovation Summit on Tuesday, October 29th, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM at The Oncenter in Syracuse, NY. This special breakfast session offers a unique opportunity to network with Summit attendees, founders, and investors from the Launch NY portfolio and network, while gaining valuable insights into the evolving landscape of venture capital.

The event will feature a fireside chat moderated by Marnie LaVigne, PhD, President & CEO of Launch NY, along with industry leaders Lindsay Karas Stencel of Thompson Hine LLP and Gillian Francis of Rapid Ventures. Together, they will discuss trends in venture capital funding, overall and with a special focus on clean energy and climate tech.

Please note that this invitation is specifically for the breakfast session only with registration here. To attend the full Innovation Summit, please complete your registration through the conference website here using code: LAUNCHNYGUEST.

Founders attending the event who register will also have a chance to attend Investor Office Hours for 1-on-1 time with a funder. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect and learn from the experts at the forefront of venture capital!

Breakfast Registration

Innovation Summit Registration

📈 Current LNY Investor Network Deals

Energy Guard – Energy Guard offers a simple and cost-effective energy management solution for multi-tenant buildings, hotels, dorms, and low-income housing. The system’s HubLite™ Smart Thermostat connects directly to their proprietary HubBrain™ software, which optimizes HVAC systems to reduce energy waste. Their automated solution requires no manual input and provides real-time data to owners, helping them save money and reduce their carbon footprint.Energy Guard’s product is already saving over 33% in energy costs for their clients, with each installed unit reducing 1.2 tons of CO2 annually. The company is targeting the underserved middle market of building owners, offering an affordable solution with no upfront installation costs, only a monthly subscription fee.With over 4,000 active subscribers in Ireland and the U.S., Energy Guard is now expanding its operations to help more building owners in the U.S. achieve energy efficiency. Backed by data from U.S. pilot projects and a strong go-to-market strategy, Energy Guard is poised to scale rapidly in the U.S. market.

Join the Virtual Pitch and Q&A Session on Tuesday, October 1st at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Register here – https://lu.ma/1sb9pspx

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