Launch NY & NOCO Partner to Advance Energy Sustainability Practices

Buffalo, NY, October 6, 2020 – Launch NY and NOCO LLC have announced a new partnership designed to advance innovation in the clean energy sector in Upstate NY and beyond. The partnership leverages the infrastructure of Launch NY’s startup company support resources through its Emerging Cleantech Opportunity (ECO) Incubator in tandem with NOCO’s recent creation of a new division focused on sustainability, growing the company’s renewable energy offerings, energy efficiency programs and relevant acquisitions. 

Launch NY and NOCO are solidifying their new collaboration starting with industry leaders engaged with both organizations. First, Paul Tyno will continue to serve as the ECO Incubator Program Director at Launch NY, Upstate NY’s first and only venture development organization to provide pro bono mentoring and the most active seed fund in the state, after joining NOCO as its Director of Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, which will allow robust interaction on a daily basis. What’s more, Scott Ernst, Vice President, Corporate Operations at NOCO, is joining a select group of industry leaders on Launch NY’s ECO Advisory Board.  

With its powerful combination of corporate and clean energy sector expertise, the Launch NY and NOCO partnership will provide critical access to customer input, demonstration sites, technology expertise and a talent pipeline that will help fuel cutting edge products and services – not only creating new jobs and wealth to revitalize our economy but also pursuing aggressive energy efficiency targets, such as those noted in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), aimed at protecting our communities and future sustainability. 

“Our goal has always been to bring more corporate partnerships, particularly those located right in our own backyard, into our powerful network of resources that is growing the region’s cleantech cluster and individual companies at the same time,” said Dr. Marnie LaVigne, President and CEO of Launch NY. “Access to this kind of expertise and leadership is exactly what our clean energy entrepreneurs need for speedy implementation of their products in the marketplace so we can see the economic and environmental impact as soon as possible.”

Jim Dentinger, President of NOCO Enterprises LLC, a division of NOCO created earlier this year to focus on innovation, said, “With more than 85 years of evolving our energy offerings, partnering with leading edge innovators like Launch NY’s ECO Incubator is at the core of our vision, not only for our business but for our role in supporting our local economy and promoting a healthier environment.” 

Launch NY’s ECO Incubator is only one of six administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for high-growth cleantech companies. The ECO Incubator supports cleantech startups with measurable and scalable impacts on the state’s energy efficiency, renewable energy, greenhouse gas reduction and overall sustainability goals.

A major component of that support is mentorship for high-potential cleantech companies through Launch NY’s local Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, a national network of industry experts and NYSERDA’s statewide Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, to help achieve key milestones and accelerate time to market for new innovations.

ECO Incubator clients are also eligible to apply to Launch NY’s Nonprofit Seed Fund, LLC and additional NYSERDA funding opportunities. 

Current Launch NY ECO Incubator companies include SunDensity of Rochester, along with Buffalo-based EagleHawk and HELIXintel. See the full list of more than two dozen businesses, along with more ECO Incubator program information, at www.launchny.org/eco-incubator.  

For more information about Launch NY, its programs, and other entrepreneurial opportunities, visit www.launchny.org and follow Launch NY on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

###