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Launch NY
Launch NY is Upstate New York's most active seed investor, deploying into 100+ startups since 2012 through a nonprofit structure with a for-profit fund.
Launch NY
Launch NY is a Nonprofit Venture Development Organization with a mission to identify, support, and invest in high-growth, high-impact companies across Upstate New York. Our goal is to catalyze the entrepreneurial culture through regional collaboration with ecosystem partners. Capitalizing on existing regional resources, Launch NY coordinates and partners with entrepreneurship resources to catalyze the ecosystem and provide access to valuable growth opportunities in Upstate New York. Upstate NY boasts exceptional resources for starting and building business ventures. Inspiring regional collaboration to access these resources is crucial to our plan for fostering entrepreneurial success.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
2012
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Buffalo
Corporate office
Buffalo, NY, United States
Principals
Marnie LaVigne
President and CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Launch NY?
President and CEO Marnie LaVigne leads the organization and oversees investment strategy. Individual investment decisions are managed by the investment team, with final approval through the organization's internal investment committee. The program also relies on an Investor Network of accredited individuals who co-invest alongside the organization, giving those members influence over which deals they personally back.
Is Launch NY structured as a venture fund or an economic development program?
It is both. Launch NY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit venture development organization that runs pro-bono mentorship and operates a for-profit limited partnership — the Launch NY Seed Fund — for equity investments. This dual structure lets it use grants and philanthropy for technical assistance while deploying venture capital through the fund.
What geographic footprint does Launch NY cover?
The organization's mandate covers the 27 westernmost counties of New York State, with investment activity concentrated in the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse metro areas. It also supports startups in smaller Upstate cities that are typically bypassed by coastal VCs.
Does Launch NY participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Launch NY makes direct equity investments into early-stage companies. It does not allocate capital to external venture funds as a limited partner. The parallel Investor Network structure enables accredited individuals to co-invest directly alongside the organization.
Where does Launch NY's investment capital come from?
Capital sources include New York State's Regional Council funding, philanthropic grants, private donations, and individual investors participating through the Launch NY Investor Network. The for-profit Seed Fund is capitalized by accredited limited partners, distinct from the nonprofit's grant-funded operations.
What investment stages does Launch NY target?
Launch NY invests at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages. Check sizes generally start at $25,000 and reach up to $250,000, often as part of larger rounds with co-investor participation from the firm's accredited Investor Network.
Does Launch NY take equity for its mentorship programs?
No. The organization's core mentorship and founder-support programs are grant-funded and do not require equity or fees from participating startups. This separation creates a distinct pipeline: companies that receive free assistance often later enter the for-profit Seed Fund when they are investment-ready.
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