New York State, with its bustling cities and diverse industries, has firmly established itself as a thriving hub for startups and a hotbed of innovation. Beyond the iconic presence of the Big Apple, the state’s success can be attributed to a combination of factors that have fostered a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The presence of world-class academic institutions, access to capital, a diverse talent pool, and a supportive regulatory environment have all contributed to the state’s allure for entrepreneurs.
Additionally, New York’s status as a global business and cultural center creates a dynamic marketplace with vast opportunities for budding companies to test and scale their innovations.
To navigate this ecosystem successfully, new businesses often turn to startup incubators and accelerators, which provide vital support in the early stages of their journey. These programs act as catalysts for growth, offering a range of resources including mentorship, access to networks, funding, and workspace.
By leveraging the expertise and connections of these organizations, small and medium-scale businesses can accelerate their development, validate their ideas, and increase their chances of success.
In Part One of this blog series, we will shine a light on some of the most exceptional startup incubators and accelerators that have established themselves as pillars of support for early-stage companies in New York State.
Each program brings a unique approach and specialization, catering to organizations across various industries. As we explore these programs, it is important to note that while inclusion in this blog is a testament to their prominence, numerous other exceptional organizations operate throughout the state.
The diversity of programs available ensures that companies from different sectors and backgrounds can find the resources and guidance best suited to their specific needs. By highlighting these incubators and accelerators, we aim to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with insights into the opportunities available and inspire them to tap into the rich ecosystem of support in New York State.
So, let’s dive into Part One of our exploration and discover the platforms that have played a pivotal role in propelling businesses toward success.
MetaProp
First on our list is MetaProp. It is a venture capital firm that specializes in investing in early-stage and growth-stage companies in the real estate technology (prop-tech) sector.
They were founded in 2015 and have since invested in over 150 companies. Their investments span the entire real estate value chain, from property management to construction to financing.
Some of their most notable investments include:
- OnSite: A property management software company that helps landlords and property managers manage their portfolios more efficiently. Their software allows landlords to track rent payments, manage maintenance requests, and communicate with tenants. OnSite also offers a variety of other features, such as online rent payments, tenant screening, and resident portals.
- Slate Property Group: Slate Property Group is a real estate investment firm that uses data analytics to identify and invest in undervalued properties. Their investment strategy is based on the belief that data can be used to identify properties that are undervalued by the market. Slate Property Group has a portfolio of over $1 billion in assets.
- Squarly: Squarly is a virtual tour platform that allows users to take 3D tours of properties without having to leave their homes. Their platform uses 360-degree photography to create immersive virtual tours that allow users to explore properties from the comfort of their own homes. Squarly is used by real estate agents, property managers, and developers to showcase their properties to potential buyers and renters.
Aside from their investments, MetaProp is also known for its startup accelerator program, which provides early-stage prop-tech companies with funding, mentorship, and a wide range of resources to help entrepreneurs in the prop-tech space scale their businesses.
The firm is also committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in its industry. They have a 40% diversity rate of portfolio founders, and they leverage their extensive network and expertise in the real estate industry to guide portfolio companies and connect them with potential customers, partners, and investors.
MetaProp is a leading force in the prop tech industry, and they are committed to shaping the future of real estate. Their investments and accelerator program are helping to bring new technologies to the real estate market, and they are working to make the industry more diverse and inclusive.
Starta VC
Another venture capital firm on our list is Starta VC. It is based in New York City and they invest in startups that have the potential to scale and disrupt various industries, however, they are more popularly known to invest and partner with technology companies coming from Eastern Europe and Russia.
Their thesis revolves around the belief that Eastern European and Russian startups have untapped potential and can compete on a global scale. So they aim to bridge the gap between Eastern European startups and the U.S. market by providing funding, mentorship, and access to various resources.
They were founded in 2012 and have since invested in over 100 companies. Their investments span a variety of industries, including Fintech, Edtech, Healtlhtech, and several other industries that uses software applications and technology to innovate their products or services.
Here are a few notable companies in their portfolio:
- Betterfly: A Chilean company that provides life insurance and financial wellness products. Their products are designed to help people improve their financial health and well-being. Betterfly has raised over $100 million in funding and is one of the most promising startups in Latin America.
- ClassDojo: ClassDojo is a US company that provides a classroom management platform for teachers. Their platform allows teachers to track student behavior, communicate with parents, and share class updates. ClassDojo has over 10 million users and is used by schools all over the world.
- Healix: Healix is a US company that provides a genetic testing platform for patients. Their platform allows patients to order genetic tests, interpret their results, and connect with healthcare providers. Healix has over 100,000 users and is changing the way that healthcare is delivered.
Quake Capital Partners
Quake Capital Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that focuses on investing in companies that are using technology to solve real-world problems. With offices in New York City, Austin, and Los Angeles, Quake Capital aims to support and nurture promising entrepreneurs by providing capital, mentorship, and a range of resources to help startups grow and succeed.
The organization follows a hands-on approach, actively engaging with its portfolio companies and offering strategic guidance to drive their growth. Quake Capital looks for innovative startups with scalable business models, strong market potential, and talented founding teams.
They are particularly interested in companies that are disrupting traditional industries, such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
Some of their most notable investments include:
- Ample: Ample is developing a self-driving electric vehicle fleet for food delivery. Their vehicles are designed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional delivery vehicles. Ample has raised over $100 million in funding and is currently operating in select cities in the United States.
- Humu: Humu is developing a platform that allows users to track their food intake and make healthier choices. Their platform uses artificial intelligence to analyze users’ food intake and provide personalized recommendations. Humu has raised over $20 million in funding and is used by over 1 million people.
- Nauto: Nauto is developing a driver monitoring system that helps to prevent accidents. Their system uses cameras and sensors to track drivers’ behavior and alert them when they are at risk of an accident. Nauto has raised over $100 million in funding and is used by over 1 million drivers.
These are just a few of the many notable investments that Quake Capital Partners has made. They are a venture capital firm that is making a significant impact on the technology industry, and they are backing some of the most promising startups in the world.
AlleyCorp
Next on the list is AlleyCorp. It is a venture capital firm and startup studio that focuses on building and investing in early-stage technology and e-commerce companies. They are particularly interested in companies that are disrupting traditional industries, such as media, retail, and finance.
As a startup studio, Alleycorp takes an active role in developing and launching its own companies from the ground up. They work closely with founders to provide strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a network of resources, including talent, capital, and expertise.
Some of AlleyCorp’s most notable investments include:
- MongoDB: MongoDB is a company that provides a database platform for modern applications. Their database is designed to be flexible and scalable, making it a good fit for a variety of applications. MongoDB has raised over $1 billion in funding and is used by companies like Facebook, Goldman Sachs, and Spotify.
- Business Insider: Business Insider is a business news and media company. They provide news and analysis on a variety of topics, including finance, technology, and entrepreneurship. Business Insider has over 100 million monthly visitors and is one of the most popular business news websites in the world.
- Gilt Groupe: Gilt Groupe is a flash sales retailer. They offer discounts on a variety of products, including clothing, home goods, and travel. Gilt Groupe has over 10 million members and is one of the most popular flash sales websites in the world.
- Zola: Zola is a wedding planning platform. They help couples plan their weddings by providing them with a variety of tools and resources. Zola has over 1 million users and is one of the most popular wedding planning websites in the world.
Upward Labs
Upward Labs is a leading startup lab and venture fund in the United States. They are known for their early-stage investments in high-potential startups. Their investments have helped to shape the future of a variety of industries, including prop tech, health tech, retail tech, and climate tech.
They have a network of angel investors who are interested in investing in early-stage startups and they offer a 12-week accelerator program that provides startups with resources like workshops, mentorship, and access to Upward Labs’ network of partners in order for small businesses to grow and scale.
Their program has helped to accelerate the growth of many startups. Some of the startups that have participated in the program include:
- PropHire: PropHire is a platform that connects property managers with qualified candidates. They match property managers with candidates based on their skills, experience, and location. PropHire has over 100,000 users and is one of the leading property management platforms in the United States.
- Welltory: Welltory is a healthcare software that uses AI to track and improve users’ health. They track users’ health data, such as their heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels, and provide personalized recommendations to improve their health. Welltory has over 1 million users and is one of the leading health-tracking platforms in the world.
The Upward Labs program is a great opportunity for startups that are looking for growth and scale. The program provides startups with the resources they need to succeed, including access to venture capital, expert mentorship, industry connections, and an accelerator program.
Barelli Brothers
Barelli Brothers is a family office that invests in early-stage technology companies. They were founded in 2013 by the Barelli brothers – Michael and Anthony Barelli, who are serial entrepreneurs with a long history of investing in and growing successful businesses.
Both brothers have a strong background in technology and finance, and they are passionate about investing in a variety of technology industries, including healthcare, education, and financial services.
Also, Barelli Brothers have a strong track record of success, not just because of the expertise and resources that they offer, but also because they have a team of experienced investment professionals who are responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and investing in new companies.
They have invested in a number of high-profile companies that have shaped the future of their respective industries, including:
- Clover Health: Clover Health is a technology-enabled healthcare platform for seniors. They provide Medicare Advantage plans that are designed to be more affordable and transparent than traditional Medicare plans. Clover Health uses technology to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery, and they have a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
- Thrasio: Thrasio is a company that acquires and scales e-commerce businesses. Barelli Brothers invested in Thrasio in 2020, and they believe that the company has the potential to be a major player in the e-commerce space.
These are just a few examples of industries where Barelli Brothers have made investments. They are always looking for new and innovative companies that are using technology to disrupt the market.
Innovation Incubator Holding
Last, but not least is Innovation Incubator Holding. IIH is a technology-focused incubator and venture capital firm that helps founders innovate, build, and grow startups. They have a global presence with offices in the United States, India, and the UAE.
IIH’s investment thesis is to combine technology partnership, incubation, and domain/tech acceleration capabilities for founders and enterprises. They offer a unique model that provides access to state-of-the-art services and a global ecosystem.
Some of IIH’s investments include:
- FleetXpert: A fleet cloud-based management platform that helps businesses optimize their fleet operations. They have been recognized as a leading fleet management platform by a number of organizations, including Frost & Sullivan and Gartner. The company has also been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Forbes.
- CareZone: A health management platform that helps patients track their health data and connect with their care team. It is a free app that is available on iOS and Android devices. It is a convenient and easy-to-use platform that can help patients take control of their health.
IIH is a leading incubator and venture capital firm that is helping to shape the future of technology. They are committed to supporting founders who are building innovative solutions that have the potential to make a positive impact on the world.
New York State of Mind
New York State’s thriving startup ecosystem owes its success to a combination of factors that have created a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship. The presence of prestigious academic institutions, access to capital, a diverse talent pool, and a supportive regulatory environment have all played pivotal roles in attracting and nurturing startups.
In this blog series, we have explored some of the exceptional startup incubators and accelerators in New York State. These organizations, including MetaProp, Starta VC, Quake Capital Partners, AlleyCorp, Upward Labs, Barelli Brothers, and Innovation Incubator Holding, represent a diverse range of industries and provide specialized support tailored to the unique needs of startups.
By highlighting these incubators and accelerators, we aimed to showcase the opportunities available to aspiring entrepreneurs and inspire them to tap into the rich ecosystem of support in New York State. These organizations not only provide vital resources but also foster connections, promote diversity and inclusion, and actively contribute to shaping the future of their respective industries.
As New York State continues to flourish as a hotbed of innovation, these incubators and accelerators will undoubtedly play a crucial role in fueling the growth and success of startups, further solidifying the state’s reputation as a thriving hub for entrepreneurial ventures.
The success stories that have emerged from these incubators and accelerators speak to the impact and effectiveness of their programs. Companies like Onsite, Betterfly, Ample have all benefited from the support and guidance provided by these organizations, propelling them to become industry leaders.
As we conclude Part One of this series, it is evident that New York State’s startup ecosystem is vibrant and dynamic, offering a multitude of opportunities for entrepreneurs. Whether located in the bustling streets of New York City or the emerging tech hubs of Upstate New York, startups in the state have access to world-class resources, mentorship, and networks that fuel their growth and success.
Stay tuned for Part Two of our series, where we will delve further into New York State’s startup incubators and accelerators, uncovering additional gems that support and propel the next generation of innovative businesses.
From Ideation to Creation
Don’t underestimate the power of incubators and accelerators in your area. These dynamic organizations can be the catalyst that propels your business from concept to reality. The guidance and support provided by these programs can significantly increase your chances of success by helping you refine your business model, validate your ideas, and accelerate your product development.
Embrace the opportunity to collaborate, learn, and grow alongside like-minded individuals, and let the incubators and accelerators in your area fuel your entrepreneurial journey.
It’s time to transform your vision into a tangible tech solution that disrupts the market and makes a lasting impact. Seize the chance to leverage these invaluable resources and launch your tech startup with confidence and momentum.
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If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a startup looking to leverage technology for growth, we invite you to explore how our programming services can propel your business forward. Schedule a free consultation, or reach out to me directly on LinkedIn and let’s discuss how we can collaborate and contribute to your startup’s success.
