named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
Provides mentorship and strategic guidance to early-stage startups through a network of experienced executives and founders.
Subject-Matter Expert Network
Offers specialized advisory support in branding, data, legal, and technology development to portfolio companies.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 4 activities
- Delivers capacity-building programs for startup foundersProvides pro bono mentorship, networking access, and participation in startup programming to hundreds of companies annually. Since 2012, has mentored over 1,950 companies, contributing to more than $1.5B in follow-on funding and over 10,000 jobs supported.
- Operates regional hubs to support startup ecosystem developmentRuns headquarters in Buffalo and partner sites in Rochester, Ithaca, Syracuse, Binghamton, and Albany to provide localized support and resources to startups across Upstate New York.
- Provides pro bono mentorship and technical assistance to startupsOffers hands-on, personalized mentorship and technical assistance to high-growth startup founders across Upstate New York through a network of Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and over 400,000 experts. Services include business model development, product-market fit guidance, and strategic planning across startup lifecycle stages.
- Supports underrepresented founders in launching high-growth startupsProvides targeted mentorship, strategic guidance, and capital access support to underrepresented founders to strengthen their ability to launch scalable startups and attract investment.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Funds startups through nonprofit seed funds and investor networksProvides early-stage capital to high-growth startups in Upstate New York through its nonprofit seed fund, LP Fund II, and InvestLocal programs. Also facilitates additional funding via the Launch NY Investor Network, ranking among the top 5 nonprofit seed funds in the country.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Hosts founder and investor engagement eventsOrganizes panel discussions and networking events featuring founders and investors on emerging sectors including AI, climate tech, biotech, robotics, energy, and advanced manufacturing.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.66M
Contributions & grants$2.50M68%
Program service revenue$725K20%
Investment income$422K12%
Other revenue$9K
expenses
Total expenses$2.73M
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$923K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$12.28M
Cash$4.95M
Investments$2.35M
Liabilities$1.30M
Net assets$10.98M
Liquid reserves32.1 mo
3 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue -3.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARION LAVIGNE | CEO/PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 40 | $265K |
| SCOTT TERHAAR | COO/TREASURER | 20 | $78K |
board members · 7
- GEORGE CHAMOUN — BOARD MEMBER/CHAIRPERSON
- MAGGIE DORN — BOARD MEMBER
- MEL PASSARELLI — BOARD MEMBER/VICE CHAIRPERSON
- MELODIE BAKER — BOARD MEMBER
- QUINCY ALLEN — BOARD MEMBER
- THOMAS LYNCH — BOARD MEMBER
- ZACHARY SCHULMAN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Cornell University Center for Regional Economic Advancement Partner — Collaborates with Launch NY through shared Entrepreneur-in-Residence engagement in Ithaca, NY.
- Dimien Partner — Portfolio company acquired in 2024, contributing to ecosystem returns.
- Erie County Industrial Development Agency Government — Co-founded Launch NY and established the Niagara Region Ventures Fund in partnership with this agency.
- Founders Partner — Collaborates with startup founders in deep tech sectors for panel discussions.
- Grow-NY Food/Agriculture Competition Partner — Launch NY supports participant mentoring in this regional food and agriculture innovation competition.
- Hobart & William Smith Colleges Partner — Shared affiliation through teaching and entrepreneurship support in Geneva, NY.
- Investor Network Network — Online investment platform exclusively offering opportunities in Upstate NY startups, used by Launch NY to raise capital for portfolio companies.
- Investors Partner — Engages investors in discussions on AI strategy and venture landscape in deep tech.
- JPMorganChase Funder — Provided a $250,000, two-year grant to support high-growth founders and expand Launch NY programs.
- Launch NY Network — Provides capital and support to startups at multiple stages, from initial funding to follow-on investment.
- NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub Partner — Partner program through which Launch NY strengthens connections to innovation ecosystem resources across New York.
- National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Partner — Launch NY collaborates on delivering NSF I-Corps Short Courses for entrepreneurship training.
- Patient Pattern Partner — Portfolio company acquired in 2023, contributing to ecosystem returns.
- Resource Navigator Partner — Tool used to connect startups with ecosystem partners and resources
- SSBCI Equity Program Partner — Prepares founders for funding through the SSBCI Equity Program via technical assistance and readiness support.
- Verivend Partner — Portfolio company supported through multiple investments, mentorship, and ecosystem access.
- numerous funders Funder — Funders who support Launch NY's mission to build the new economy in the region.
- portfolio companies Partner — Collaborates with portfolio companies to support growth and funding readiness
strategies · 5
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.
- Cleantech and Deep Tech Mission Alignmentmethodology: cleantech_incubationBy focusing support on cleantech and AI-driven deep tech startups, the organization advances regional economic impact while contributing to global sustainability and innovation goals, because high-potential sectors with scalable solutions attract capital, create high-quality jobs, and position Upstate NY as a hub for future-ready industries.
- Ecosystem-Connected Growthmethodology: ecosystem_connectivityBy connecting startups to curated networks of investors, mentors, and support organizations through Resource Navigators and ecosystem events, the organization increases founder success, because access to dense, coordinated networks reduces isolation, accelerates learning, and unlocks capital and partnership opportunities.
- Investor-Aligned Technical Readinessmethodology: venture_capital_readinessBy integrating structured frameworks like the Business Model Canvas and LEAN startup methods with hands-on technical assistance, the organization prepares startups for public and private capital, because aligning business model validation with investor expectations increases the likelihood of securing institutional funding and scaling successfully.
- Mentorship-Driven Startup Successmethodology: mentorship-driven_startup_supportBy providing personalized, pro bono mentorship from industry experts and hands-on support through Entrepreneur-in-Residence programs, the organization increases startup readiness and founder capability, because experiential guidance builds strategic thinking and foundational business frameworks more effectively than technical assistance alone.
- Regionally Targeted Investment for Economic Growthmethodology: regionally_targeted_seed_investingBy concentrating seed investments and capital access exclusively in Upstate New York, the organization stimulates regional economic development, because directing financial and advisory resources to economically underperforming areas creates multiplier effects that strengthen the local innovation ecosystem and attract follow-on investment.