WNY IMPACT INVESTMENT FUND

Investing in the Future of Western New York

The WNY Impact Investment Fund’s unique strategy combines high-upside commercial investments with place-based social impact.

“With Egret and the WNY Impact Investment Fund working together, we believe this is a model of how collaborative partners can build transformative projects in Buffalo.” - Bill Maggio, Egret Healthcare Ventures

“Students who use Arbol will graduate with less debt, creating new pathways to long-term economic mobility. This is how we transform the future of education.” - David Gonzalez, Arbol

"Viridi is demonstrating that advanced energy technology can be designed, built, and deployed right here in Western New York." - John Williams, CEO & Chairman

"We’re thrilled to bring on an investment partner that aligns with our principles but also brings experience in helping manufacturing startups grow.” - Rebecca Brady, Top Seedz

"We’re so proud to continue refining CRA Analytics with the support of a local investor that also believes in the transformative potential of this technology both across the nation and in our own backyard." - Patrick O'Brien, Founder & CEO

“With Egret and the WNY Impact Investment Fund working together, we believe this is a model of how collaborative partners can build transformative projects in Buffalo.” - Bill Maggio, Egret Healthcare Ventures

“Students who use Arbol will graduate with less debt, creating new pathways to long-term economic mobility. This is how we transform the future of education.” - David Gonzalez, Arbol

"Viridi is demonstrating that advanced energy technology can be designed, built, and deployed right here in Western New York." - John Williams, CEO & Chairman

"We’re thrilled to bring on an investment partner that aligns with our principles but also brings experience in helping manufacturing startups grow.” - Rebecca Brady, Top Seedz

"We’re so proud to continue refining CRA Analytics with the support of a local investor that also believes in the transformative potential of this technology both across the nation and in our own backyard." - Patrick O'Brien, Founder & CEO

“With Egret and the WNY Impact Investment Fund working together, we believe this is a model of how collaborative partners can build transformative projects in Buffalo.” - Bill Maggio, Egret Healthcare Ventures

“Students who use Arbol will graduate with less debt, creating new pathways to long-term economic mobility. This is how we transform the future of education.” - David Gonzalez, Arbol

"Viridi is demonstrating that advanced energy technology can be designed, built, and deployed right here in Western New York." - John Williams, CEO & Chairman

"We’re thrilled to bring on an investment partner that aligns with our principles but also brings experience in helping manufacturing startups grow.” - Rebecca Brady, Top Seedz

"We’re so proud to continue refining CRA Analytics with the support of a local investor that also believes in the transformative potential of this technology both across the nation and in our own backyard." - Patrick O'Brien, Founder & CEO

WHAT WE DO

Our portfolio companies are scaling quickly while accomplishing great things

400 Jobs and Counting

The Fund’s investments have led to the creation of more than 400 jobs, with more than half of those employees coming from marginalized backgrounds.

Also, more than 50% of the leadership teams were from marginalized groups.

A number of those investments have provided catalytic capital to female-led companies such as Top Seedz (Rebecca Brady), Buffalo FilmWorks (Jennifer O’Neill), CaHILL Tech (Carley Hill) and SomaDetect (Bethany Desphande).

Visible Progress in WNY

The Fund has made catalytic investments in projects that had meaningful impact in their neighborhood, providing jobs and tangible activity in communities that often face significant challenges.

Those include the revival of a formerly abandoned auto factory into a lithium ion battery manufacturing campus; the revival of a former railroad warehouse into Ground Zero for Buffalo’s film production industry; the rehabilitation of an abandoned Bethlehem Steel factory on Route 5 into a thriving building insulation manufacturer; and the move from a small suburban plant into a 35,000-square-foot factory in downtown Buffalo.

Providing Opportunity

The WNY Impact Investment Fund measures the social impact of its investment in several ways, including products that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Our investments have helped turn recycled cardboard into building insulation; food waste into compost; electricity-fueled battery storage that replaces diesel generators and power backups; software that provides pathways for better lives in the construction industry; and a tech platform that drives financial clarity and confidence for college students.

LET's GO BUFFALO

Catalyzing Buffalo's Resurgence

Through its Series 1 and Series 2, the Fund has raised more than $20 million to deploy into Western New York.

16

Portfolio Companies

$14.45M

Invested So Far

27

Total Investments

How we stay true to social impact mission

Lots of investors claim they care about social impact when it’s convenient. But it’s built into our DNA. The Fund sources its deals through two equally weighted due diligence processes.

Business Opportunity

Equity and debt deals that show financial promise on behalf of our investors.

Social Impact

Products or business strategies that will make WNY a better place to live, work and raise a family

As Featured In

Placed-Based Impact Investing Takes Off In Buffalo, NY

A small number of place-based funds in the U.S. focus on impact investing. One of them is Western New York Impact Investment Fund, which targets eight counties in Western New York State.

The Buffalo News

Tom Quinn aims to make an impact with startup investment fund

Tom Quinn has led the effort of the WNY Impact Investment Fund as its founding chief executive officer. Since 2017, he's spearheaded the fund's fundraising efforts and worked to systematize

FOUNDATION REVIEW

A Place-Based Collaborative Strengthens Community and Informs Philanthropic Practice

The Foundation Review’s detailed white paper on the principles and execution of the WNY Impact Investment Fund.

Changemaking in Buffalo.

Making investments that generate both financial and social returns while helping to accelerate the economic resurgence of Western New York.

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