Momentum builds following nearly $16M close of new LP fund to fuel Upstate NY’s innovation economy
Launch NY is excited to announce a $200,000 investment into PhysicianX, a Buffalo-based technology startup that empowers medical residents, fellows and established doctors seeking new career options.
Launch NY is the only venture development organization serving Upstate NY and the most active seed fund in New York State. The organization’s mission to catalyze a robust, diverse innovative economy has been turbocharged by several exciting announcements this year, including the close of its $15.775 million Launch NY Limited Partner (LP) Fund II in Q2 2025 and geographic expansion into Albany.
Launch NY invests out of its for-profit LP Funds I and II, nonprofit seed fund and the growing Investor Network, which is a syndicate of accredited investors who receive access to pre-vetted startup investment opportunities in Upstate New York.
Launch NY has invested in nine companies totaling $1.35 million so far in 2025, continuing its robust investment pace. Launch NY investments in 2024 totaled $2.765 million.
“Launch NY has not wavered in its crucial role establishing Upstate NY as a viable place to build high-growth startup companies,” Launch NY President and CEO Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D., said. “We continue to see tremendous innovation emerging from these communities, and we’re proud to help them build early traction as they launch their products into the market and attract additional capital from other sources.”
Other Launch NY investments this year include:
3AM Innovations (Buffalo): $285,000 from Launch NY LP I, nonprofit seed fund and Investor Network. 3AM Innovations has received previous investments from Launch NY and provides software to keep first responders safe in emergency situations.
Arbol (Buffalo): $100,000 from nonprofit seed fund. Arbol has received previous investments from Launch NY and is a financial operating system that helps colleges keep students enrolled by identifying financial risks early and guiding students with personalized support.
BetterMynd (Buffalo): $124,998.78 from LP Fund I and nonprofit seed fund. BetterMynd is an existing Launch NY portfolio company and creates a venue for web-based mental health therapy at colleges and universities.
Bridge Green (Binghamton): $250,000 from LP Fund II and nonprofit seed fund. Bridge Green is a new portfolio company for Launch NY and focuses on innovative technologies that upcycle & extract critical minerals from used lithium-ion batteries to support a circular economy and strengthen the domestic supply chain.
Dimensional Energy (Ithaca): $75,000 from LP Fund I and nonprofit seed fund. Dimensional Energy has received previous investments from Launch NY to commercialize its carbon capture technology.
Edenesque (Buffalo): $60,000 from LP Fund II and nonprofit seed fund. The plant-based dairy startup has received previous investments from Launch NY.
Nordetect (Rochester): $185,000 from LP Fund II and nonprofit seed fund. Nordetect is a new portfolio company for Launch NY which enables precision agriculture and environmental monitoring.
Panacheeza (Webster): $75,000 non-profit seed fund. Panacheeza is a shelf-stable, plant-based grated parmesan made with just five simple ingredients.
PhysicianX was founded in September 2024 to empower physicians to build amazing careers – with clarity and confidence. Built by startup veterans rooted in the Buffalo community, the company is redefining how physicians explore their options, The company recently appointed Michelle Fisher as CEO. Fisher was most recently CFO at construction firm Arc Building Partners. Before that, she was senior vice president at clinical trials startup Circuit Clinical. Fisher brings deep operational expertise ande a strong track record of scaling healthcare startups and building mission-driven teams.
The company’s platform provides personalized, AI-powered career tools designed for early-career physicians. That includes a career that matches physicians with employment opportunities, and real-time benchmarks to help them negotiate stronger contracts.
PhysicianX, which is launching its iOS app this month, now has hundreds of active users and recently achieved 54% month-over-month user growth.
“Our company is disrupting an archaic system which prevents early-career medical professionals from understanding the full scope of their career opportunities,” Fisher said. “Support from Launch NY and other investors means that PhysicianX users can have a global perspective on what’s available and cutting-edge tools to understand their value in the marketplace.”