Launch New York taps Binghamton University graduate as COO

BUFFALO — A Binghamton University graduate is now serving as the chief operating officer (COO) of Buffalo–based Launch New York Inc. (Launch NY)

Scott Terhaar — who earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Binghamton University — is primarily responsible for finance and grants administration, product development, and related organizational planning to support Launch NY’s “growing” organization.

Launch NY describes itself as upstate New York’s “first and only” venture development organization and community development financial institution (CDFI) to provide pro-bono mentoring and equity capital access to high-growth startups across the 27 “westernmost” counties of the state. 

Those counties include Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins in Central New York.

Terhaar will report to Marnie LaVigne, president and CEO of Launch NY. 

“Launch NY is at a perfect stage of our growth to bring someone with Scott’s incredible background to our leadership team,” LaVigne said. “Scott has been a key contributor in some of the most well-known successful businesses established in our region, managed literally dozens of acquisitions, and most recently played a pivotal role in the acquisition of a company he helped to grow over nine years. He understands not only what Launch NY needs to take its services and financing programs to the next level, but also our client companies who we support in their journey every day.”

Terhaar, a CPA, most recently served as the executive VP and CFO at Orchard Park–based ValueCentric, a pharmaceutical data management company that sold in 2019 to Durham, North Carolina–based IQVIA (NYSE: IQV). 

Besides his bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University, Terhaar also earned his MBA degree from the University at Buffalo. 

Besides its headquarters in Buffalo, Launch NY also has co-locations with partner organizations in Syracuse, Binghamton, Ithaca, and Rochester. It says it has served more than 1,070 companies more than two dozen experienced local entrepreneurs-in-residence and its national mentor network of 2,000 industry, business, and investment experts.

Launch NY provides pro-bono mentorship to nearly 300 companies throughout each year and it offers the “most active” seed fund in New York, making up to four investments each month. In 2019, Launch NY introduced its #InvestLocal programming, including the Launch NY Seed Fund, LP Fund, and Investor Network, which offers both donors and investors seeking a return the opportunity to support local startups.