Investment Preferences

This is New York State's premier early-stage venture forum where the best companies from across the state present to the investment firms.

The Smart Start UNYTECH Venture Forum is an important showcase for the most promising technology companies and business innovators from throughout NYS and beyond. This is New York State's premier early-stage venture forum where the best companies from across the state present to the investment firms from New England to the Mid-Atlantic regions. Presented annually in the spring, companies are identified and vetted for participation in this event, and the resultant program features the state's best venture capital investment deal flow exposure across all market segments and technologies. Additionally, university spin-off companies are also presented as the up-and-coming pipeline of promising companies representing tomorrow's investment opportunities. SmartStart UNYTECH is the premier Upstate NY venture forum where VC firms look to see the best that the state has to offer for deal flow. Now in its 13th year, SmartStart UNYTECH has to date highlighted 285 high-quality companies from throughout the state and beyond to the VC community, and their success speaks the quality of deal flow they select. Of these companies, 64 have raised more than $500 M in equity financing, including more than $72 M directly attributable to their participation in the forum. In 2007, SmartStart was merged with UNYTECH, the Upstate University forum highlighting early-stage university spin-outs. Additionally, this forum is marketed and recognized by many East Coast and Mid-Atlantic venture funds as the place to get Upstate NY technology deal flow. They recognize each year some standout presentations with Best Business Presentation, Most Promising Technology and Most Likely to be Funded awards. This unique event displays the very best early-stage companies from throughout the entire state of New York and beyond. Venture capital funds, seed investment funds and angel groups and investors can meet with and learn more about these company's teams, technologies and plans for succeeding in the marketplace. Additionally, experienced entrepreneurs are exposed to upcoming companies for their potential involvement, and many of the venture company service providers will also be on hand at this showcase event. The SmartStart UNYTECH Venture Forum has tremendous support in the form of sponsorship from business, not-for-profit and government agencies, including statewide partners. For more information on organizations involved please visit the Advisory Committee Page.