Deals, News & Events for the Upstate Capital Investment Community
GRASSHOPPER PARTNERS WITH UPSTATE CAPITAL + VENTURE NY
From Noa Simons, Upstate Capital President and CEO:
In my nearly 6 years at Upstate Capital, I have rarely seen someone show up for entrepreneurs in Upstate NY the way Jeremy Shure has in the last couple of years. Together, we’ve been leading small group roundtables at many of our events. Jeremy co-hosts each one, providing an ear to listen and advice when it’s called for. He’s offered to review pitch decks, set up pitch sessions with investors in NY, and more, in addition to providing founder-friendly digital-first banking services. This year, Jeremy has materially impacted our ability to raise an additional $25,000 for the NYBPC, and he invited his friend, Seth Levine, co-founder of the Foundry Group, to come to Upstate NY for our Venture NY event. He’s a special person who cares a lot about giving first in the community, and I’m so glad to have him as my partner in the work we do at Upstate Capital to build community for investors and entrepreneurs.
Meet Jeremy @ Venture NY on April 27!
VC + GROWTH
The WNY Impact Investment Fund raised $11.55 million. Bank of America and M&T Bank Corporation joined as LPs. The firm has driven social impact through investments in local companies, creating opportunities in the ecosystem and impacting outcomes for the region. This funding will continue the ongoing resurgence in Western New York.
This year, a total of $50k in prize money will be awarded at the NYBPC Finals at Venture NY on April 27, including a $15k Grand Prize, cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, and a total of $10k in prize money for traditionally underrepresented founders. Upstate Capital thanks SEFCU, the KeyBank healthcare team and the Tech Garden for their leadership in supporting entrepreneurs from all backgrounds this year!
The company has raised more than $40 million in startup funding to this point, driven by investor belief that PostProcess will play a key role in the rise of additive manufacturing. The company is now closing on $4 million in bridge funding from existing investors such as ProcessTec, a group led by Chuck Lannon, and New York Ventures, Empire State Development Corp’s investment arm. Grasshopper Bank, a digital business bank, extended the company a line of credit. PostProcess expects to raise a larger round of funding later this year.
WhoseYourLandlord (WYL) raised an oversubscribed $2.1 million seed funding round led by Black Operator Ventures (Black Ops) with participation from New York Ventures, Ben Franklin Tech Partners and Google’s Black Founders Fund.
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MORE NEWS
September 25, 2026
Where Deals, Capital and CEOs Connect: Highlights from the 2026 Buffalo Private Equity Summit
Investors, business owners, executives and advisors gathered in Buffalo on September 22 and 23 for Upstate Capital’s 2026 Buffalo Private Equity Summit. Held at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship and The Westin Buffalo, the two-day event brought practical conversations about growth, ownership, investment and technology together with opportunities to build relationships across New […]
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August 10, 2026
Upstate Capital Welcomes Molly Hugar to Board of Directors
Upstate Capital is pleased to welcome Molly Daetsch Hugar, Commercial Leader at KeyBank, to our Board of Directors. Molly brings nearly two decades of experience in commercial banking, along with a deep understanding of the businesses, industries, and relationships that drive economic growth across Upstate New York. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with companies […]
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August 3, 2026
Raining with Opportunity: Highlights from the 2026 Saratoga Forum
Despite the rain, the 2026 Saratoga Forum delivered exactly what its theme promised: opportunity. Investors, business owners, founders, advisers and economic-development leaders gathered in Saratoga Springs on July 29 and 30 for two days of candid conversations, meaningful introductions and new opportunities to support the companies and communities shaping Upstate New York. The Saratoga Forum […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Keynote: Ed Mitzen on Entrepreneurship, Impact & What Comes Next
The 2026 Venture NY keynote speaker, Ed Mitzen, shared an honest and energizing perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership and the rapidly changing future of work. A serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and co-founder of the Business for Good Foundation, Mitzen reflected on building multiple successful companies, including Fingerpaint Group, while emphasizing that resilience, people-first leadership and purpose-driven work […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: What’s Next? Opportunities for Founders Across New York
The panel “What’s Next? Opportunities for Founders Across New York” at this year’s Venture NY explored the growing network of accelerators, competitions and support programs helping startups move from early ideas to scalable businesses across New York State. Featuring Seth Mulligan, Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration at Griffiss Institute; Patty Rechberger, Innovation Fund […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: From Lab to Market — Scaling NY Innovation
At the 2026 Venture NY event, the panel “From Lab to Market — Scaling NY Innovation” explored the realities of transforming breakthrough research into scalable companies across New York’s innovation ecosystem. Moderated by Paul Tolley, CTO of Excell Partners, the discussion featured Dr. Marek W. Kowarz, Founder of MicroAdventure Technologies, and Nick Conn, Founder and […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: What Makes an AI Company Investable? Data Strategy, Risk & Valuation
One of the panel discussions at this year’s Venture NY explored what separates truly investable AI companies from those simply riding the hype cycle. Moderated by Kate Polozie, Partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman, and featuring Somak Chattopadhyay, Managing Director at Armory Square Ventures, the panel “What Makes an AI Company Investable? Data Strategy, Risk & […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: Where Are the Returns Now? From Hype to Healthy Outcomes
During our annual Venture NY event, the panel “Where Are the Returns Now? From Hype to Healthy Outcomes” explored how today’s venture environment is shifting toward disciplined growth, capital efficiency and long-term value creation. Moderated by Chris Rodi, Partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, the discussion featured David Brown, Managing Director at Impellent Ventures and […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: How Are Investors Really Deploying Capital Right Now?
As part of Venture NY 2026, the panel “How Are Investors Really Deploying Capital Right Now? Inside the 2026 Playbook” brought together venture leaders from across fund types to discuss how today’s investment landscape is shifting from hype-driven growth to disciplined, traction-focused investing. Moderated by Flossie Hall, Director of Operations at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, […]
Read More May 26, 2026
2024 NYBPC Grand Prize Winners Eutrobac Acquired by Agriment Services, Inc.
In the spring of 2024, Ellie Sangree and Jesse Wexler, co-founders of Eutrobac, stood in front of judges at the University at Albany and won the New York Business Plan Competition Grand Prize. They walked away with $25,000 and set to work building an IP portfolio, raising capital, developing the product and forging the connections […]
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