Launch NY Newsletter – October 2017

Launch NY Seed Fund Has Invested in 17 Upstate NY Startups

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Launch NY recently announced 7 new investments in local startups, bringing the total Launch NY Seed Fund portfolio to 17 companies with over $650,000 in investments. Upstate NY is full of innovative entrepreneurs looking to disrupt their industries, including Farther Farms, one of our latest investments, whose patented technology can extend the shelf life of produce without preservatives, chemicals, freezing, or refrigeration. The goal of the donation and grant based Launch NY Seed Fund is to provide funding to startups at the riskiest phase of development and help bring these innovations to market. Read more on Farther Farms and on our 6 other recent investments in the full press release.

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Launch NY Awarded $168,000 by U.S. Department of the Treasury

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Last month Launch NY was among only 5 venture capital organizations in the US awarded by the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund to fill regional gaps in access to proof-of-concept venture funding. This award comes at critical time when the demand for our support resources is greater than ever as the most active seed fund in Upstate NY. This federal funding adds to the recently announced private sector support through the Viaduct award of $150,000 to grow Launch NY’s investments in our region’s most promising startups. Read more in the full press release.

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Join the #LaunchHour TwitterChat October 18th at Noon to Learn the Path through Investment Capital Rounds

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Are you wondering if you’re raising seed funding or an A or B round? Do you know what your fundraising path looks like? Let our investor panel help demystify this journey for you by joining us on Wednesday, October 18^th #LaunchHour: Know Your ABC’s – Game Planning for Your Investment Rounds! Our panelists include Launch NY COO & Fund Manager, Lindsay Stencel, Bela Musits, and more.

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First Chloe Capital Accelerator Program Features Launch NY on Due Diligence Panel

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Launch NY President and CEO, Marnie LaVigne, will be part of the investment due diligence panel at Chloe Capital’s inaugural one day accelerator program October 25-26 in New Paltz for women interested in learning more about making an impact through investing in women entrepreneurs. Chloe Capital is a new early stage venture capital firm focused on inclusive investing in women founders and led by serial Upstate NY entrepreneur, Elisa Miller-Out, who successfully exited her software services company, Singlebrook, among her numerous entrepreneurial endeavors over the past 20 years. The accelerator also features five female-led tech startups who will compete for funding and a chance to present to Astia Angels the following week for a potential co-investment. Investors, startups, and sponsors can request an invitation to the event here.

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My Special Days is Changing How Businesses Connect with Their Customers

Meet one of Launch NY’s newest seed fund portfolio companies. Reward, surprise, and delight your current and new customers on birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs, new home, engagement day, all holidays, graduations, and over 60 landmark days to choose from throughout the year! My Special Days completely automates, personalizes, and customizes the entire process to send surprise promotions and offers on special occasions. You’ll never have to set up one email or push notification because My Special Days does all the work. The mission for My Special Days to help businesses connect with consumers through all their stages in life no matter how old they are when they start.

“The support from Launch NY has been life changing! My Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), Steve Nicosia has been by my side each step of the way with helping through my business plan to connect me with resources that I never knew existed.  I know have the confidence that I can build a multimillion dollar business due to Steve’s mentorship and guidance. Steve guided me through the seed fund process to raise money through Launch NY. I can proudly say that I now have an investor in Launch NY that affords me the resources to keep going after my dream!”