May 23, 2019
Launch NY Newsletter – April 2019
Launch NY News & Updates
Launch NY Closed 13 Transactions in Q1 2019, Including First Four Investments from Its Limited Partner Fund
Launch NY was awarded $300,000 in funding from the EDA as follow up to it’s first Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) award in 2016 from the EDA. This new award will support Launch NY’s Invest Local Financing Programs through the new Investor Network, as well as a new internship and investor education programs in collaboration with the Western New York Venture Association and Buffalo Angels. Read the press release here.
Interested in Investing Local?
On May 20, 2019, join Launch NY, Buffalo Angels, and Techstars for Angel Capital Association’s (ACA) Fundamentals of Angel Investing. In this half-day intensive accredited investors workshop, learn how you can become an angel investor and support our region’s most promising startups. Facilitated by Denise Dunlap of Loon Creek Capital and certified ACA instructor, Launch NY will be joined by leading Angels from Buffalo, California, Ohio, Canada and more to give you the tools you need to start investing today. The session includes in depth presentations and panel discussions on the angel investment process, due diligence, term sheets and more.
Join ECO Incubator on April 29, 2019 a Panel Discussion on Cleantech Regulations & Policies
ECO Incubator will be kicking off its first Innovation Sprint on Cleantech Regulations and Policies on April 29, 2019 with a public panel discussion featuring expert panelists Kristin Barbato (Build Edison), David Flynn (Phillips Lytle), and Jon Powers (CleanCapital), and moderated by ECO Program Director, Paul Tyno.
Save the Date: ECO Incubator’s Cleantech Regulations & Policy for Cleantech Startups Panel
Join us on April 29, 2019, in Buffalo, NY to kick-off ECO Incubator’s first Innovation Sprint with a public discussion and networking event to learn about how cleantech regulations and policies can create opportunities to grow your business. Register today!
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Startup Spotlight
EagleHawk One Wins $500K at Genius NY
Launch NY Portfolio Company and ECO Incubator Client, EagleHawk One was a finalist for GeniusNY, the world’s largest business accelerator for unmanned systems winning a $500,000 dollar investment. EagleHawk One is a drone technology company revolutionizing the way commercial roofs are inspected and managed located in Buffalo.
EagleHawk One is among the first four investments from Launch NY’s for profit Limited Partner Fund, a returns-based investment opportunity for accredited investors looking to help grow innovative startups and build the economy of Upstate New York. L
#LaunchHour TwitterChat Tips
LaunchHour TwitterChats are monthly virtual chats featuring important topics for startups, entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem stakeholders. Join us over your lunch to hear from expert panelists. Check out our archive for past TwitterChats filled with tips like those below.
See you at the next #LaunchHour TwitterChat, Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at noon
March 20, 2019: Funding Women: The Power of Investing in Female Founders View the whole chat on Wakelet.
What changes have you seen in the Venture Funding ecosystem as it pertains to funding female founders, on a national scale and in your region?
When you can’t beat the system, invent an entirely new one. With just 2% of all venture funding going to women, funds are being launched to take advantage of a huge, missed opportunity to make a fortune: funding female + underrepresented founders. h/t @cindygallop#LaunchHour— Susan Danziger (@susandanziger)
More than ever we have seen women led and woman run companies applying for and receiving funding in Upstate. In our portfolio, we have roughly 34% of our companies that are women or minority led, so I like the diversity we are seeing & continuing to see #LaunchHour— LKS Law (@LKS_Law)
We don’t focus a ton on Upstate NY, but more generally we’re seeing 1) a huge influx of new money being targeted directly at women founders and 2) much more willingness by traditional investors to look in less-traditional geographies (here included) #launchhour— Kate Brodock (@Just_Kate)
What are some unique challenges that female founders face in pursuing funding?
It’s simply a fact that women are less likely to receive venture capital in our region and across the country. 34% of our portfolio companies are women-led, and with our ability to attract capital from co-investors, we’re helping to fill the gap #LaunchHour— Marnie LaVigne (@MarnieLaVigne2)
@ACAAngelCapital summit I attended, “Can Questions & Actions Impact Your Returns?” Research from @KanzeDana @Columbiashows investors unconsciously ask ?’s in 2 different ways to female vs male entrepreneurs creating underexposure to upside potential in females #LaunchHour— Rev1 Ventures (@Rev1Ventures)
Chloe Capital has spoken w/ 100s of female founders about funding challenges. They have little to do w/ #MeToo. Instead, it’s about not being understood. Investing is risky. Investors invest in what they know. Diversity at the table will present opportunities. #LaunchHour— Chloe Capital (@ChloeCapital)
Want to learn more about how you can Invest Local? View the whole chat on Wakelet!
Join us for our next #LaunchHour TwitterChat, May 15, 2019 at noon!
Meet Launch NY Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs)
Kate Brodock
Kate Brodock is CEO of Women 2.0, a media and tech company focused on gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Serving over 300,000 around the world, Women 2.0 provides content, products and services around parity, and has catalyzed over $90M in funding for female founded companies.
Under Kate’s leadership, Women 2.0 has engaged with companies, such as Medium, Adobe, and Airbnb, to educate internal teams about diversity and inclusion. Kate also led the team in several recent product launches, including its Lane recruitment platform and a “Men as Allies” committee, which aims to engage men in diversity and inclusion conversations.
Read more about Kate and our other EIRs on ourwebsite.