The short version
Launch NY’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program gives Upstate New York founders one-on-one startup mentorship from people who have built companies themselves.
EIRs work with early-stage founders in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and across the region on
customer discovery, financial planning, and getting investment-ready. Below, four women EIRs
share what they see across seed-stage companies and the advice they give most often.
Meet the Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
| Entrepreneur-in-Residence | Background | Focus with founders |
|---|---|---|
| Heather Saffer | Founder of Dollop Gourmet, a premium dessert topping brand | Spotting opportunity, starting before you feel ready, fast iteration |
| Christa Downey | Executive coach, investor, and leader in higher education | Mission-driven impact, market validation, building a founder network |
| Holly Hillberg | Decades of global leadership in technology, operations and marketing | Customer discovery, knowing when to refine direction or pivot |
| Juliet Lawrence | Angel investor and advisor | Financial systems, understanding your numbers, model and options |
Launch NY sat down with a few women Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for March Women’s History Month.
What is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR)?
An Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) is an experienced founder or business leader who works directly with early-stage startups to provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and support in preparing to raise equity capital.
At Launch NY, EIRs work alongside founders across Upstate New York, helping them navigate key challenges — from customer discovery and financial planning to building sustainable businesses and preparing to attract investment capital.
Building a company comes with constant decisions, uncertainty, and moments when the path forward isn’t always clear.
Behind many of those moments are conversations — the ones calling for founders to pressure-test an idea, rethink an approach, or gain the confidence to take the next step.
During Women’s History Month, we spoke with Launch NY’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence about what they’re seeing across seed-stage companies, what shapes their work with founders, and the perspectives they bring from their own experiences building and scaling businesses.
Their insights reflect a shared conviction: no one builds a successful company alone.
Heather Saffer
Heather Saffer is the founder of Dollop Gourmet, a premium dessert topping brand. Her approach to startup mentorship is rooted in the same instinct that drove her to build her business: seeing opportunity where others see convention.
On becoming a founder
“I didn’t set out thinking, ‘I want to be an entrepreneur.’ I started because I saw an opportunity to create something that didn’t exist yet. What drives me most as a founder is solving that kind of problem — seeing an industry where things are ‘the way they’ve always been’ and asking why.”
Startup advice for women founders
“Start before you feel ready. You do not need a perfect plan, a full team, or all the answers to begin. Focus on solving a real problem for a specific customer. Talk to those customers early and be willing to iterate quickly. Surround yourself with people who are building things.”
Christa Downey
Christa Downey brings a mission-driven lens to her work with founders, drawing from her background as an executive coach, investor, and leader in higher education.
How she defines impact beyond revenue
“Impact goes well beyond revenue metrics. It’s a win when a mission-driven company succeeds and an idea that improves lives makes it into the world.”
On building a founder network
“You absolutely need to make sure there is a market for what you are selling. Equally important is building a strong network around your work. No one builds a successful company alone.”
Holly Hillberg 
Holly Hillberg brings decades of global business leadership experience across technology, operations, and marketing.
Startup advice she gives most often
“Customer discovery is invaluable. Talking with the people who will use your product provides critical insight that helps you refine your direction or pivot when necessary. It should never stop.”
What makes Upstate NY startups different
“Upstate New York has a strong and supportive entrepreneurial community. Founders here become part of a network that genuinely wants to help them grow.”
Juliet Lawrence
Juliet Lawrence brings a financial-first perspective shaped by her experience as an angel investor and advisor.
What inspired her work with founders
“I saw companies that couldn’t clearly articulate their financial position. That’s when I realized the need to help founders build strong financial systems early.”
Her message to women entrepreneurs
“Build with clarity and conviction. Confidence grows when you understand your numbers, your model, and your options.”
Building a Startup Is Not a Solo Effort
Across these conversations, one theme emerges clearly: the path to building a sustainable company runs through the people around you.
Whether it’s understanding customers, stepping into leadership, or navigating financial decisions — founders move forward through relationships, insights, and trusted voices.
Launch NY’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program is designed to provide that support, helping founders become investment-ready and build companies that scale.
During Women’s History Month, these conversations highlight the impact of startup support—not just on companies, but on the broader ecosystem.
Are You Building a High-Growth Company?
Learn more about how Launch NY’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence support founders from customer discovery to growth strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Entrepreneur-in-Residence do?
An EIR provides one-on-one mentorship to early-stage founders, helping them prepare for investment through strategic guidance, financial planning, and customer discovery.
How does Launch NY support women founders?
Through mentorship, programs like Founders Go Big, and hands-on support, Launch NY helps founders build with clarity and confidence.
What makes Upstate NY a strong startup region?
A collaborative ecosystem with universities, investors, and accelerators across Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and beyond.
How can I access mentorship?
Apply at launchny.org to get started.
What is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Launch NY?
A Launch NY Entrepreneur-in-Residence is an experienced founder or business leader who works directly with early-stage startups across Upstate New York. EIRs provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and support in preparing to raise equity capital, covering customer discovery, financial planning, and building sustainable businesses.
Where does Launch NY provide startup mentorship?
Launch NY’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence work with founders across Upstate New York, including Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. The region’s ecosystem connects universities, investors and accelerators, and as EIR Holly Hillberg puts it, founders here become part of a network that genuinely wants to help them grow.
How is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence different from a business consultant?
An EIR has built and scaled companies themselves, so the guidance comes from operating experience rather than advisory theory. Launch NY’s EIRs include a consumer brand founder, an executive coach and investor, a global operations leader, and an angel investor.
Who are Launch NY’s women Entrepreneurs-in-Residence?
Four of Launch NY’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence are Heather Saffer, founder of Dollop Gourmet; Christa Downey, an executive coach and investor; Holly Hillberg, a global business leader in technology and operations; and Juliet Lawrence, an angel investor and financial advisor.
What advice do Entrepreneurs-in-Residence give first-time founders?
Start before you feel ready and solve a real problem for a specific customer. Talk to those customers early and keep doing it, because customer discovery should never stop. Confirm there is a market for what you are selling, and build a strong network around your work.
What do Entrepreneurs-in-Residence help founders with?
EIRs help founders with customer discovery, financial planning, leadership decisions, and preparing to attract investment capital. The goal is to help founders become investment-ready and build companies that scale sustainably.