Launch NY: Western NY

Launch NY is a nonprofit venture development organization in Upstate New York. We provide pro bono mentoring and access to risk capital for high-growth startups.

About

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

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.

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 is proud to support startups from all high-growth potential industries that contribute to growing the region’s new economy.

Services Provided

Economic and Site Development

  • Economic Development

Buying or Selling a Business

  • Valuation

Business Planning

  • Business Succession Planning
  • Diversification
  • Business Plan Consulting (Specialty)
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Demographic and Census Data
  • Forming a Business
  • Identification and Research of Foreign Markets
  • Market Plan Development
  • Market Research

Financial Resources and Assistance

  • Angel Investment (Specialty)
  • Budget, Financial Statement and Cash Flow Training
  • Debt Funding
  • Equity Funding (Specialty)
  • Government Funding
  • Technology Grants
  • Accounting and Bookkeeping
  • Grant Funding
  • Venture Capital (Specialty)

Human Resources, Workforce and Talent

  • Apprenticeship
  • Leadership/Professional Development
  • Employee Development
  • Insurance

Internship Programs and Student Services

  • Internship and Co-op Programs
  • Student Marketing Projects
  • Student Research Projects
  • Youth Entrepreneurship Education
  • Student Training
  • Business Degree Program

Legal Services

  • Forming a Business
  • Patent, Trademark & Copyright Information

Management Issues

  • Leadership/Professional Development

Manufacturing, High Tech, Life Sciences Development

  • Commercialization
  • High Tech Development (Specialty)
  • Life Sciences Development (Specialty)
  • Manufacturing Development
  • Quality Improvement (Supply Chain, Six Sigma)
  • Technology Transfer

Marketing and Sales

  • Market Plan Development and Training

Mentoring

  • Formal Mentoring Programs (Specialty)
  • One-on-One Counseling (Specialty)
  • Peer Mentoring (Specialty)

Networking and Associations

  • Demographically Based
  • Geographically Based (Specialty)
  • Industry Specific
  • Small Business/General (Specialty)

Nonprofit and Social Enterprise

  • Accounting
  • Funds Development

Space

  • Conference/Meeting and Event Space
  • Coworking

Product Development

  • Patent Information

Public Policy and Government Relations

  • African-American Business (Specialty)
  • City Business Issues
  • Hispanic Business (Specialty)
  • State Business Issues
  • LGBTQIA Business Issues
  • Native-American Business
  • Small Business Policy
  • Women’s Business Issues (Specialty)

Starting a Business

  • Business Research Resources (Specialty)
  • Forming a Business (Specialty)
  • Registration, Licenses and Permits
  • Startup Business Counseling (Specialty)
  • Startup Classes

Technical Assistance

  • Virtual Consulting and Online Services
  • Commercialization
  • Bookkeeping/Accounting Software Training

Training

  • Online Courses and Videos
  • Bookkeeping/Accounting Software Training
  • Budget, Cash Flow and Financial Statements Training
  • Business Management Training
  • Business Plan Training and Assistance
  • E-Commerce/Internet Marketing
  • Marketing Plan Training
  • Startup Classes

Events and Community Building

  • Hackathon / Startup Week or Weekends
  • Pitch Events
Contact Information
Crystal Wallace
Address
77 Goodell Street
Buffalo, NY 14203