Jeffrey Lyman’s entrepreneurial journey started like many others – with a problem worth solving and a vision shaped by hands-on experience.
After working in his family’s collision repair shop, he co-founded Tonquin, a last-mile logistics startup, eventually securing $700K in early-stage funding through angel investors. It was a crash course in startup life: capital-raising, community-building and navigating the complexities of scaling a business in Upstate New York.
Those challenges stuck with him as a reminder of the obstacles other entrepreneurs face, particularly when it comes to accessing trusted resources and support networks. That insight led him to join Pinnacle Employment Services (PES), a professional employer organization focused on helping entrepreneurs streamline employee administration so they can stay focused on strategic business growth.
Recognizing the shared mission between PES and Upstate Capital, Jeffrey became a member of our organization as a PES service provider. Today, he plays an active role in bridging the gap between startups and the support systems that help them grow, not just from launch, but through every stage of scale.
Driven to give back to the community that fueled his growth, Jeffrey strives to help more founders find their footing and their funding. His commitment to strengthening Upstate New York’s startup ecosystem makes him a valued part of the community.