About this programme
Launch NY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit venture development organization and U.S. Treasury-designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that supports high-growth-potential startups across 36 counties of Upstate New York. It describes itself as the most active seed fund in New York State by investment count.
It has funded 110+ companies and mentored 1,950+ companies, reporting 10,000+ jobs supported and follow-on funding at 39 times its own investment through its InvestLocal Financing programs, which have deployed $19.58 million to date. Launch NY is headquartered in Buffalo, with partner sites in Rochester, Ithaca, Syracuse, Binghamton, and Albany.
Beyond capital, Launch NY offers pro bono mentoring it calls Tailored Coaching, delivered by industry experts, including Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) support augmented by a National Mentor Network of over 400,000 subject matter experts. Its portfolio spans biotech, climate tech, food and beverage, healthcare, fintech, software, hardware, and advanced manufacturing.
Within Launch NY, the Founders Go Big program, launched with funding from JPMorgan Chase in 2020, gives traditionally under-resourced, early-stage founders personalized mentoring, workshops, MVP-funding connections, and peer community programming. The Emerging Cleantech Opportunity (ECO) Incubator, created with support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), does the same for cleantech startups addressing energy efficiency, resilience, or clean-energy-economy needs.
How it works
Founders work through Launch NY's Business Model Canvas approach across five stages: Explore (defining target market and problem statement, typically after founders have put in around $10,000 of their own or friends-and-family money), Start (building the business model and first product, when founders typically need $10,000 to $200,000 and Launch NY and angel investors become the go-to capital source), Demonstrate (proof-of-concept, team growth, and early revenue), Liftoff (commercial launch, reaching six figures in annual revenue), and Grow (raising further rounds toward $1 million-plus in annual revenue).
Capital comes through Launch NY's own InvestLocal Financing programs and its Investor Network of accredited investors, alongside referrals to other funding sources as a company matures.
Who can apply
Your business must be headquartered in one of the 36 counties Launch NY serves in Upstate NY: Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Erie, Genesee, Greene, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates.
Launch NY's eligibility survey also asks whether the business has $10 million or more in topline revenue potential within 5 to 7 years, has a proven leader who will engage with Launch NY for guidance, is investable with a realistic path to an exit, and is ready to make its mark on the Upstate NY startup community.
How to apply
- Complete the brief eligibility survey at launchny.org/entrepreneurs/eligibility-survey/, described as the formal first step in applying for Launch NY services.
- If eligible, complete the application to be considered for assistance.
- Launch NY's team reviews the application and reaches out to schedule next steps, including an intake meeting and pairing with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence.
Frequently asked
What does Launch NY offer besides money?
Pro bono, highly personalized mentoring from industry experts, called Tailored Coaching, plus Entrepreneur-in-Residence support and access to a National Mentor Network of over 400,000 experts.
How many companies has Launch NY funded?
110 or more companies, with reported follow-on funding leverage of 39 times its own investment, through $19.58 million deployed via its InvestLocal programs.
How do I apply?
Complete the eligibility survey at launchny.org/entrepreneurs/eligibility-survey/, which is the formal first step, then complete the application if eligible.
What sectors does Launch NY invest in?
Its portfolio spans biotech, climate tech, food and beverage, healthcare, fintech, software, hardware and advanced manufacturing.
Which counties does Launch NY serve?
36 counties across Upstate NY, from Buffalo and the Southern Tier through the Finger Lakes to Albany; the full county list is on the eligibility survey page.
Is there a program specifically for under-resourced founders?
Yes, Founders Go Big, launched with JPMorgan Chase funding in 2020, offers mentoring, workshops, and MVP-funding connections for traditionally under-resourced, early-stage founders.
More funding in New York
Excelsior Jobs Program
Empire State Development · New York
Refundable state tax credits on wages, R&D spend and investment for businesses that create 5 to 150 new jobs in New York over up to 10 years.
Global NY Fund Grant Program
Empire State Development · New York
Reimburses up to $25,000 of trade-show, market-research and export-readiness costs for New York companies selling abroad.
New York Life Sciences R&D Tax Credit
Empire State Development (New York State) · New York
A refundable New York State credit for new, ESD-certified life sciences companies: 15% of in-state R&D spend (20% for firms with fewer than 10 employees), capped at $500,000 per year for up to three years.
New York Ventures Pre-Seed and Seed Matching Fund
Empire State Development (NY Ventures) · New York
State-matched equity investments of $50,000 to $250,000 for early-stage New York startups that have raised under $2 million to date.
NYC Future Fund
City of New York, NYC Department of Small Business Services · New York
Revenue-based loans of $25,000 to $500,000 for New York City small businesses, with repayments that flex with revenue.
Rev: Ithaca Startup Works
Cornell University Center for Regional Economic Advancement · New York
Ithaca coworking space, mentorship and hardware-prototyping accelerator cohorts for startups in any field, run by Cornell's regional economic development center.
All 13 programmes in New York →
Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.