Largest capital deployment in a single quarter underscores momentum in the region’s high-growth startup ecosystem
Launch NY is excited to announce its Q1 2026 investment activity, deploying $1.345 million across seven high-growth startups throughout Upstate NY. The quarter reflects strong early-year momentum after deploying $2.645MM total in 2025 and reinforces Launch NY’s role as the region’s most active seed-stage investor, supporting founders as they build and scale impactful companies.
A Standout Investment in Clean Energy Innovation
Leading this quarter’s activity is Launch NY’s largest single investment to date: $750,000 in Binghamton-based BridgeGreen Upcycle, bringing Launch NY’s total investment in the company to $1 million. The investment signals strong confidence in both BridgeGreen’s growth trajectory and the expanding clean energy sector.
BridgeGreen is addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges, creating a sustainable lifecycle for lithium-ion batteries. Through advanced AI-driven testing, state-of-health (SOH) prediction models, and breakthrough material innovations, the company is building infrastructure to upcycle, repurpose, and recycle batteries at scale, helping ensure clean energy systems remain truly sustainable.
A flagship company within the National Science Foundation’s Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine and Launch NY’s Emerging Cleantech Opportunity (ECO) Incubator, BridgeGreen is contributing to a broader effort to strengthen national security, supply chain resilience, and regional economic growth. Launch NY is a core partner in the Engine, hosted at Binghamton University.
“Launch NY’s investment enables us to validate our novel technology platform for critical mineral recovery by transforming waste into value positioning Bridge Green’s leadership in Urban Mining space,” said Balki Iyer, Founder & Chairman of Bridge Green. “With their support, we can accelerate our innovative solutions that strengthen national critical mineral security, build resilient domestic supply chains, and create high-value, skilled jobs.”
Powering Startup Growth Across the Region
“Launch NY remains committed to ensuring Upstate New York is a place where high-growth startups can start and scale successfully,” said Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D., President and CEO of Launch NY. “This quarter’s investments showcase the strong, diverse innovation emerging across the region, and we’re proud to support founders as they gain traction, refine strategies, and attract follow-on investment.”
Launch NY continues to operate as a leading venture development organization, combining capital, programming, and strategic connections to help founders move from early traction to scalable growth. Investments are made through its for-profit LP Funds I and II, nonprofit seed fund, and a growing Investor Network of more than 420 accredited investors.
Q1 2026 Investment Snapshot
Portfolio Highlights
About Launch NY:
Launch NY is the only nonprofit venture development organization and U.S. Treasury-designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves and directly funds startups exclusively in Upstate NY. The core mission of Launch NY is to identify, support, and invest in high-growth, high-impact companies and to catalyze the entrepreneurial culture of Upstate NY on behalf of job and wealth creation.
Since 2012, Launch NY has mentored over 1,940 companies, which have gone on to raise more than $1.5B, generate more than $436MM in annual revenue, and support more than 10,000 jobs. Aligned with Launch NY’s CDFI designation, more than 70% of its portfolio companies are in low-income neighborhoods. Launch NY delivers its mission via mentorship and equity capital access programs, starting with pro bono mentoring through its Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, Founders Go Big program for traditionally underrepresented founders, and Emerging Cleantech Opportunity (ECO) Incubator. These programs prepare entrepreneurs for investment capital from multiple sources, including Launch NY’s InvestLocal Financing Programs comprised of nonprofit and for profit investment funds, and the Investor Network online marketplace that fields investment opportunities to hundreds of accredited investors. Through these vehicles, Launch NY has engaged over 500 accredited investors as the most active seed investor funding New York State companies, and it has been ranked among the top 5 nonprofit seed funds in the country.
