This year’s list includes Chef Key, Clipcentric, Ener-G-Rotors, Virtual Phantoms, Inc., Pipesnapper Welding Supply, Vital Vio, PayWithMe, Vulcan Technologies, My Music Machines, and Thermal Solution Resources that will present their business plan to the investment community on May 15-16 at the Desmond in Albany, NY.
“The collaboration of this forum is an important component to strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Upstate NY,” said F. Michael Tucker, President and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth. “By providing opportunities for connections and deal flow, this Venture Forum is an ideal platform for the movers and shakers in the start-up community. We are honored to play a key role in presenting this forum,” he concluded.
SmartStart UNYTECH is Upstate’s premier venture forum to highlight the best early stage companies to investors. Since its inception, 285 high-quality companies have presented and 62 have raised more than $500 M in equity financing, including more than $72 M directly attributable to their participation in the forum.
“The field of companies this year is strong and diverse, representing a broad range of market opportunities from biotech to medical devices to clean technology and social media. It showcases the strength of the State’s research and entrepreneurial communities,“ said Richard E. Honen, Esq. Chairman of the SmartStart UNYTECH Venture Forum and a Partner at Phillips Lytle LLP.
In addition to the company investment pitches, the two-day forum will feature panel presentations on topics such as the America Invents Act, Trends in Angel Funding, University Gap Funding, and more. Dr. Timothy Killeen, President of the Research Foundation for The State University of New York & SUNY Vice Chancellor for Research will deliver opening remarks.
This event is sponsored by the following:
Gold Sponsor: The Research Foundation for SUNY
Silver Sponsors: Phillips Lytle LLP and Upstate Venture Association of New York (UVANY)
Bronze Sponsors: Excell Partners, Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti, P.C., Hodgson Russ, NYS Science & Technology Law Center, Overit, Pam Silverstein, University at Buffalo, STOR
Marketing/Supporting Sponsors: Business Incubator Association of NYS, Eastern NY Angels (ENYA), Erie County IDA, High Technology of Rochester, MedTech, Rensselaer Technology Park and Emerging Ventures Ecosystem, Upstate Venture Connect, Venture Association NJ and Western New York Venture Association
For more information on this event, please visit www.smartstartvf.org. The event is open to the media, please contact Elena D’Agnese at (518) 321-5268.
