What is Launch NY?

Launch New York, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) venture development organization that operates in the 27 westernmost counties of Upstate New York.

Launch NY by the Numbers

1,525+
Companies Served
4,950+
Jobs Created
$1.7B+
Funds Raised
$6.2M
Invested Capital by Most Active Seed Fund in NYS
90
Portfolio Companies

Our Mission

Our mission is to identify, support, and invest in high-growth, high-impact companies to create jobs and wealth and catalyze the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Upstate New York. Built on nationally-recognized best practices, we achieve our mission by providing our startup client companies with pro bono mentoring services and access to seed capital.

Who We Serve

Launch NY provides mentorship and proof-of-concept funding to high-growth potential businesses in the following counties of Upstate New York:

Allegany • Broome • Cattaraugus • Cayuga • Chautauqua • Chemung • Chenango • Cortland • Delaware • Erie • Genesee • Livingston • Madison • Monroe • Niagara • Onondaga • Ontario • Orleans • Oswego • Seneca • Schuyler • Steuben • Tioga • Tompkins • Wayne • Wyoming • Yates

Meeting Founders Where They Are

Launch NY is headquartered in Buffalo, NY, with co-location of our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence at partner sites in Binghamton, Ithaca, Rochester, and Syracuse and meeting startup companies one-on-one throughout communities in between.

Pro Bono Mentorship

Launch NY provides individualized coaching through more than two dozen Entrepreneurs-in-Residence at no cost to its client companies using the internationally-recognized Business Model Canvas approach with a goal of helping startups become investment-ready. Our local Entrepreneurs-In-Residence are augmented by a National Mentor Network of more than 2000 business and technical experts who support companies across all industry sectors.

Most Active Seed Fund

Launch NY operates the most active seed fund in New York State and one of the most active seed funds in the entire country. The Launch NY Seed Fund provides $25,000 to $100,000 to support proof-of-concept activities that help startups become ready for investment capital from Launch NY and others. Launch NY’s nonprofit seed fund is now joined by additional sources of financing from its expanded Invest Local financing programs, including its for profit Limited Partner Fund and Investor Network.

Launch NY Industries

Launch NY is proud to support startups from all high-growth potential industries that contribute to growing the region’s new economy. Don’t see your industry on this list? No worries. Contact us and we’ll help you break the mold in your industry.

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Biomedical
  • Chemicals/Materials
  • Cleantech
  • Consumer Goods & Services
  • Food and Beverage
  • IT & Web Technology
  • Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals
  • Medical Devices
  • Mobile Technology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Sensors

Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

George Chamoun
Mel Passarelli, Esq
Quincy Allen
Melodie Baker
Maggie Dorn
Tom Lynch
Zachary Shulman

Launch NY Team

Marnie LaVigne
Scott Terhaar
Nadia Abdallah
Jay Katz, CAIA
Dustin Wilson
Katie Hestor
Crystal Wallace
Mia Washington
Brittany Martin
Danielle Blount
Paul Tyno
Lindsay Karas Stencel
Wendy Wojcik
Renata Abreu

Entrepreneurs-In-Residence

Jerry Adamski
Brian Bauer
Edward Bizari
Mike Bovalino
Kate Brodock
Paul Buckley
Crystal Callahan
Frank Codella
Al Culliton
Don De Laria
Rich Delmerico, MS
David J. Eilers
Holly Hillberg
Anthony Jones
Siva Kakuturi
Stephen Leous
Mike McCourt
Beth Mielbrecht
Elisa Miller-Out
Steve Nicosia
Deborah O’Shea
Steve Raines
Ken Rother
John Seman
David Thiemecke
Brad Treat
Evin Schwartz
Heather Saffer

ECO Advisory Board

Aliesa Adelman
Andrew Dorn
Dennis Elsenbeck
Robert Neubert
Adam Stotz, Ph.D
Kelly Tyler
Bobbie Armstrong

Portfolio Companies

Meet our companies who have used Launch NY mentorship to prepare for investment from the most active seed fund in New York State, the Launch NY Seed Fund, and our new Invest Local financing programs.

Most Active Seed Fund

Launch NY’s mission includes not only helping individual startup companies but also building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem by working with numerous partners who share our commitment to providing founders the resources they need.

Testimonials

Find out what it’s like to work with Launch NY to make progress on your entrepreneurial journey.