named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Pitch Events
Hosts two pitch events per year in August and October where entrepreneurs present to vetted angel investors after completing practice sessions and due diligence review.
Entrepreneur Workshops
Co-hosted with the North Country Innovation Hotspot Program at Clarkson University, offering skill-building sessions, one-on-one coaching, and pitch practice.
SLC Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Peer-based, mentor-driven program launched in St. Lawrence County to enhance the skills of practicing entrepreneurs and help them overcome business challenges.
The Carry
Entrepreneurial business center in Saranac Lake serving as an incubator, co-working space, trade school, and maker space for new and existing Adirondack businesses.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 2 activities
- Operating an entrepreneurial business centerCo-founded The Carry, an entrepreneurial business center in Saranac Lake that functions as an incubator, co-working space, trade school, and maker space to support regional entrepreneurs.
- Providing seed and growth capital to early-stage venturesProvides seed and startup capital to early-stage ventures in the Adirondack region, financing growth activities requiring $50,000 to $500,000 in capital, with potential for larger deals through syndication with other angel groups; supports investments through member fees and assessments.
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Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Advancing regional economic vitality through awarenessRaises awareness about economic vitality and business opportunities in the Greater Adirondack Region through outreach and educational initiatives.
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Regional Economic Development Initiatives 1 activity
- Collaborating with regional institutions for economic developmentPartners with regional colleges, universities, economic development organizations, and investment groups to support job creation and sustainable business development in the Adirondacks.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Connecting angel investors with entrepreneursHosts two annual pitch events and ongoing pitch sessions throughout the year, featuring vetted entrepreneurs who have passed initial due diligence, to connect angel investors with early-stage ventures in the Adirondack region; also facilitates discussions between members and entrepreneurs or students about business plans addressing regional opportunities.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Funding early-stage companies through direct investmentAwards grants and direct investments to early-stage companies in the Greater Adirondack region, having invested in 13 startups since 2014.
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Professional Development for Fundraising and Philanthropy Practitioners 1 activity
- Providing education on angel investingOffers education on angel investing through case studies, presentations, and forums for new members and interested individuals to build capacity in investment practices.
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Small Business Technical Assistance 1 activity
- Supporting entrepreneurs in the Greater Adirondack regionProvides hands-on mentoring, business workshops, and peer-based, mentor-driven programs such as the SLC Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership to help aspiring professionals start or grow businesses in the Greater Adirondack region of Northern New York State, with the aim of creating jobs and strengthening communities.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conducting research on regional investment opportunitiesHired a project management team to research investment opportunities in the Adirondack Park over a six-month period and identified five high-potential sectors: renewable energy, tourism, rural/local food distribution, patented light manufacturing, and beverages.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$57K
Contributions & grants$44K77%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$66K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$48K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$0
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$-7K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -13.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELINDA LITTLE | COORDINATOR | 23 | $48K |
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- Adirondack Foundation Partner — Convened the initial initiative and provided philanthropic support and project oversight to launch Point Positive.
- Adirondack Foundation Partner — Hosts the Point Positive Fund, a donor-advised fund supporting the organization's mission.
- Adirondack Foundation Partner — Hosts the Point Positive Fund, a philanthropic resource supporting Point Positive's programs for emerging entrepreneurs.
- Angel Investors Partner — Network of private investors assembled by the organization to provide start-up and growth funding to entrepreneurs.
- Clarkson University Partner — Hosts Point Positive member investors for meetings with entrepreneurs, including in Ken Visser's lab focused on ducted wind turbine technology.
- Clarkson University Partner — Partner institution collaborating on economic development and job creation in the Adirondacks.
- Franklin County Local Development Corporation Partner — Co-founded The Carry, an entrepreneurial business center in Saranac Lake.
- North Country Innovation Hotspot Program at the Shipley Center at Clarkson Partner — Co-presents annual workshops for entrepreneurs including skill-building and pitch coaching.
- Northern California Community College Partner — Partner institution collaborating on economic development and job creation in the Adirondacks.
- Other angel groups Partner — Collaborates with other angel groups to co-invest in deals requiring capital beyond $500,000 through syndication.
- Overhills Foundation Partner — Co-hosted the multi-generational Adirondack families' symposium that helped inspire the ABC Initiative.
- Paul Smith's College Partner — Partner institution collaborating on economic development and job creation in the Adirondacks.
- Prospect Hill Foundation Partner — Co-hosted the multi-generational Adirondack families' symposium that helped inspire the ABC Initiative.
- SUNY Plattsburgh Partner — Partner institution collaborating on economic development and job creation in the Adirondacks.
- Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Partner — Co-founded The Carry, an entrepreneurial business center in Saranac Lake.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Active Investor Engagement with Mentorshipmethodology: active_investing_with_mentorshipBy combining financial investment with hands-on mentorship, strategic guidance, and network access, we increase the likelihood of startup success because experiential support amplifies capital in early-stage ventures.
- Collaborative Regional Ecosystem for Entrepreneurial Supportmethodology: entrepreneurial-support-ecosystemBy integrating mentoring, education, access to capital, and shared due diligence across a network of investors and institutions, we support entrepreneurs from start-up through growth because collective expertise and aligned resources strengthen regional venture viability.
- Community-Driven, Brand-Leveraged Economic Developmentmethodology: community-driven economic developmentBy focusing on entrepreneurial ventures that respond to community-identified needs and leverage the Adirondack brand, we stimulate sustainable local economies because locally rooted, regionally branded businesses are more scalable and marketable.