# Marnie LaVigne

> Marnie LaVigne is the Buffalo-based co-founder, president and CEO of Launch NY, a nonprofit venture development organization combining free startup mentorship with seed-capital access across Upstate New York. A former startup executive who participated in two IPOs, she joined University at Buffalo business development in 2005 and became Launch NY CEO in July 2014.

- **Role:** President & CEO at Launch NY
- **Organizations:** Launch NY, University at Buffalo (former executive), BuffLink (former affiliation), Patient InfoSystems (co-founder), Medscape (former chief marketing officer), New York State Economic Development Council (board member; former chair), Upstate Venture Connect (historically documented board affiliation)
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, University of Rochester, PhD, University of Rochester
- **Known for:** Co-founded Launch NY and has led it since July 2014., Participated in two initial public offerings as a startup executive., Received the 2016 Upstate Venture Ecosystem award in the Ecosystem Champion category.

## Career timeline

- **1990s** — Co-founded a technology startup in Rochester and subsequently worked through two IPOs in executive roles.
- **2001** — Refocused her work on Upstate New York, first as an independent consultant and then through BuffLink.
- **2005-2012** — Director of business development at the University at Buffalo.
- **2009** — An encounter with JumpStart leader Rebecca Braun helped prompt planning for a regional venture development organization.
- **2012** — Launch NY began offering pro bono mentorship; LaVigne served as a co-founder and board member.
- **2012-2014** — Associate vice president for economic development at the University at Buffalo.
- **2014-07** — Became president and CEO of Launch NY.
- **2016** — Launch NY began its nonprofit seed fund; LaVigne received UVC’s Ecosystem Champion award.
- **2019-12** — Addressed SUNY Oswego’s December commencement.
- **2021** — Contributed a chapter on venture development organizations to a business-incubation handbook.
- **2025-05** — Launch NY closed LP Fund II at $15.775 million from 85 limited partners.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Launch NY and has led it since July 2014.
- Participated in two initial public offerings as a startup executive.
- Received the 2016 Upstate Venture Ecosystem award in the Ecosystem Champion category.
- Named to Buffalo Business First’s 2025 Power 250 list.
- Led Launch NY during the 2025 close of its $15.775 million second limited-partner fund.
- Contributed a chapter about venture development organizations to a business-incubation handbook published in 2021.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Listed as panel leader for Launch NY’s May 20 discussion of AI and climate-tech investing; event listing does not independently confirm attendance.
- **2026-03** — Commented on Qualcomm’s acquisition of portfolio company Exostellar and Launch NY’s role as its first institutional seed investor.
- **2026-02** — Featured by Upstate Capital discussing the regional investment network.
- **2026-01** — Launch NY’s 2025 review reported nearly 400 startups mentored during the year and 112 financed portfolio companies.
- **2025-05** — Announced the close of LP Fund II at $15.775 million.

## Links

- Website: https://launchny.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnie-lavigne-5857b7154
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarnieLaVigne2
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@launchny9897
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/launchny/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/launchny/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/marnie-lavigne
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09