Funded by Empire State Development’s NY Ventures, the initiative provides no-cost, hands-on legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to high-growth startups.
Buffalo, NY – February 3, 2026: Launch NY, the first and only nonprofit venture development organization providing continuous mentorship and seed funding to startups across Upstate NY, has introduced a new statewide service, known as the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Readiness Technical Assistance Program or TA Program. The TA Program is supported by funding through the NY Ventures division of Empire State Development (ESD) as a method to help entrepreneurs strengthen the foundational elements of startups businesses, which are vital in attracting investment capital.
Announced in October by NY Ventures division of ESD, the TA Program has forged partnerships with professional organizations who have deep experience in offering startup businesses hands-on legal, accounting, and financial advisory services. Aligned with Launch NY’s focus on helping high-growth potential businesses prepare for taking on equity capital, the TA Program supports pre-seed and seed-stage company needs ranging from business incorporation to preparation of financial proformas and fundraising steps for those seeking funding from programs such as those offered by NY Ventures SSBCI Equity Programs and affiliates deploying these investments, such as Launch NY, as well as other sources.
The TA Program brings together partners including Emergent Growth Consulting, Impressia Bank, Jewel Investing Solutions, Lumsden McCormick, M&T Bank, Thompson Hine, and Zen Advisory Partners to provide founders with hands-on, startup-ready support. Through the program, founders can receive guidance on corporate formation and governance, employee agreements, and equity fundraising strategy, along with financial and accounting support such as financial modeling, pro forma development, and investor-ready materials. Founders also gain support in building banking relationships and navigating small business financing options.
“Based on our experience of delivering pro bono mentorship to over 350 startups annually and nearly 1,900 since 2012, we know that startups struggle with knowing how to set up their business for success in attracting investors,” said Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D., President and CEO of Launch NY. “The TA Program is the first widely available resource offering pro bono support to address this need, enlisting proven partners in delivering efficient and effective financial, accounting, and legal services. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with this tremendous group of partners who share our commitment to building New York State’s innovation economy.”
Together, these partnerships represent a significant resource well-aligned with Launch NY’s mission to ensure founders can access the expertise and resources needed to build, fund, and grow sustainable, scalable businesses that build innovative products yielding job and wealth creation. Applications for the Technical Assistance Program are now open. For more information or to apply, visit https://launchny.org/ssbci-ta/
##
About Launch NY:
Launch NY is the only nonprofit venture development organization and U.S. Treasury-designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves and directly funds startups in exclusively in Upstate New York. The core mission of Launch NY is to identify, support and invest in high‐growth, high‐impact companies and to catalyze the entrepreneurial culture of Upstate New York on behalf of job and wealth creation.
Since 2012 Launch NY has served over 1900 companies which have gone on to raise more than $1.5 billion, generate more than $275 million in annual revenue and support more than 9,600 jobs. Aligned with Launch NY’s CDFI designation, more than 70% of its portfolio companies are located in low-income neighborhoods. Launch NY delivers its mission via mentorship and capital access programs, starting with pro bono mentoring through its Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, Founders Go Big program for traditionally underrepresented founders, and Emerging Cleantech Opportunity (ECO) Incubator. These programs prepare entrepreneurs for investment capital from multiple sources, including Launch NY’s InvestLocal Financing Programs comprised of nonprofit and for profit investment funds, and the Investor Network online marketplace that fields investment opportunities to hundreds of accredited investors. Through these vehicles, Launch NY is the most active seed investor funding New York State companies, and it has been ranked among the top 5 nonprofit seed funds in the country.
Media Contact:
Cydney Sanders
Marketing Manager
Launch NY
csanders@launchny.org
716-830-8060