Building a high-growth startup starts here.

Launch NY supports your journey with experienced mentors and proven methods to help you become investment ready.

Building a high-growth startup starts here.

#1

Most Active NYS Seed Fund

1,800+

Companies Mentored

110+

Companies Funded

$16.7M

Invested from InvestLocal Programs

Personalized, Pro Bono Mentorship for Entrepreneurs

We prepare founders of high-growth potential startups to become investment ready. With support from our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) who bring years of experience in industry, business, investment, and entrepreneurship, you work through the proven Business Model Canvas approach to prepare for investment capital from Launch NY and other funders.

We also provide you with access to our National Mentor Network, including over 400,000 subject matter experts to augment your EIR support.

How It Works

Getting Started with Launch NY

Pre-Qualify

Tell us about your startup to determine if you are eligible for Launch NY support.

Apply for Assistance

Once you’ve taken our eligibility survey to qualify for Launch NY support, you can complete our brief application.

Meet the Team

We have reviewed your application, and now it’s time for you to meet our team. We’ll be in touch to schedule your next steps.

The Entrepreneurial Journey

Find Your Footing, Set the Course

What will you accomplish with Launch NY? For eligible startups, we host an intake meeting to get acquainted, then we connect you with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence to mentor you through the stages of the startup experience. With our guidance, you’ll be able to identify the critical milestones and action plan for your entrepreneurial journey.

Explore.

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Our assistance starts with your exploration. We’ll use the Business Model Canvas to help you define critical elements such as your target market and pathway to product-market fit.

At this stage, most founders have invested around $10K of their own funds or support from friends and family to begin developing their business. If your company involves intensive technology development, you may also have received grant funding to support research and development efforts.

  • Focus
    • Problem Statement
    • Customer Discovery
    • Market Size Evaluation
  • Tools
    • Business Model Canvas (BMC)
    • Pitch Deck Elements
    • Resource Network
  • Deliverables
    • Validated Problem Statement
    • Validated Customer Segments
    • Validated Value Proposition

Start.

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Now’s the time to define your business model and advance your product. We’ll work with you to set priorities for product and business development.

At this stage, most founders require between $10K and $200K to establish the first phase of growth for their startup business, which is typically when Launch NY and angel investors are your go-to sources of capital.

  • Focus
    • Revenue & Cost BMC
    • Alpha Customers
    • Early Adopters
  • Tools
    • Financial Models & Analysis
    • Financial Reporting
  • Deliverables
    • Customers
    • Early Revenue

Demonstrate.

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This is your proof-of-concept phase. We’ll support you through vital steps that demonstrate the viability of your product and business model, while also supporting your fundraising efforts from Launch NY and other sources.

At this stage, your team has grown to include multiple people, you’re securing additional funding from external sources, and you’re typically beginning to generate revenue.

  • Focus
    • Revenue & Cost BMC
    • Beta Customers
    • Customer Acquisition
  • Tools
    • Financial Models & Analysis
    • Non-Disclosure Agreements
    • Financial Reporting
  • Deliverables
    • Customers
    • Early Revenue
    • Commercial Product Scale-Up

Liftoff.

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Your people, product, and plans are in place to take your product to full commercial launch. We’ll help you respond to market feedback, operational and technical needs, and strategic opportunities.

In this stage, your team is coming together to support your growth, and you've reached six figures in annual revenue as you pursue follow-on fundraising rounds with an ever-wider group of institutional investors, in addition to Launch NY.

  • Focus
    • Scale Processes
    • Commercial Product Refinement
    • Organizational Development
  • Tools
    • Business Plan
    • Sample Term Sheet
    • Preferred Stock Investments
  • Deliverables
    • Management Team & Board
    • Commercial Product Revenue Growth and Roadmap
    • Refined Profit & Loss Statement

Grow.

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You’re doing it! You’re delivering your product and generating serious revenue as you achieve product-market fit, while raising additional rounds of capital as you reach $1 million+ in annual revenue.

As you work with your management team and board to achieve your subsequent growth milestones, we’ll be here to support you in making helpful connections for growth and filling your subsequent fundraising rounds.

  • Focus
    • Team Development
    • Maturation Process
    • Continued Sales and Operations Growth
  • Tools
    • SWOT Analysis Worksheet
    • Preferred Stock Investments
  • Deliverables
    • Enhanced Unit Economics and Refined Profit & Loss Statement
    • Well-Defined Customer Acquisition Strategy
    • Repeatable Business Processes

Propel Your Enterprise with Launch NY

Explore the initiatives we’ve built to support founders, fuel innovation, and strengthen our region’s startup ecosystem.

Cleantech

ECO Incubator

Does your product or service address energy efficiency, resilience, or national security needs associated with the clean energy economy? Initially created with the support of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Launch NY’s Emerging Cleantech Opportunity (ECO) Incubator provides an extensive network of resources to cleantech startups.

Under-Resourced Founder Support

Founders Go Big​

Founders Go Big (FGB) helps traditionally under-resourced entrepreneurs move from concept to capital by combining expert guidance, tailored support, and a strong peer community. The program equips founders with the tools and connections they need to attract investment and position their businesses for growth.

110+ Companies Funded and Counting
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Logo of Noshi featuring a playful, cartoon-like character with large round eyes and a simple smile, outlined in black. The text 'NOSHI' appears in bold, rounded letters beneath the character.
Hear from Our Founders
“EagleHawk would not be where it is today without the support of Launch NY. The coaching and the mentorship provided early on helped us position our business to raise capital...”
Patrick Walsh
CEO, EagleHawk
“Launch NY provided crucial mentorship, and ultimately seed capital, at the earliest stages of our company, preparing us to test our product for the first time. With Launch NY’s initial investment, I could focus full-time on Agape, a relationship wellness app, and in three short years, we have raised a seven-figure round led by Harlem Capital, and we’ve got nearly 3 million users.”
Khadesha Okwudili
CEO, Agape Wellness
“Launch NY has supported, believed in, and funded this company over the years, allowing us to fine-tune our business and prepare it for institutional venture capital and global corporate customers.”
Nita Bhatia
COO, AireXpert
“Launch NY was there for our company at its earliest stages, investing crucial risk capital and mentoring us through the challenges of building the company. That support gave the company the chance to test out our business model, make improvements, and ultimately set us on the path to a Series A fundraise.”
Jon DeWald
CEO, HelixIntel

Get Started

Are You Ready to Launch?

Apply for access to mentorship, funding, and the tools to build your startup today.

Resource Navigator​

Find practical, relevant resources to boost your business.

Building your business takes many resources, so explore these funding opportunities, programs and more.