DECEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

Embark on a journey through two distinct entrepreneurial stories. In the first, explore how a frustration with traditional golf course dining led to the creation of Club Grub, a mobile application reshaping the golfing experience by delivering diverse food and beverage options directly to players. In the second, follow Clotheslyne's journey from the Hudson Valley Venture Hub to the Techstars spotlight. Discover how their innovative laundry service not only provides convenience but also employment opportunities in local communities. These narratives showcase the impact of startups, investments, and the support systems provided by the Hudson Valley Venture Hub.

In the relentless pace of industries that operate around the clock, the notion of signing off and taking a break might seem counterintuitive, if not downright challenging. Yet, as we navigate the unceasing demands of the business world, it becomes increasingly vital to recognize the power of pause. In this month's newsletter, we delve into the theme of why, even for the industry that never stops, taking a momentary respite is not just advisable but imperative. Explore the wisdom of downtime, its impact on creativity and productivity, and the unexpected opportunities it can unfold. As we usher in the holiday season, let's reflect on the importance of both professional rest and rejuvenation.

Energizing The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem One Angel Investor At A Time

Energizing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem one Angel Investor at a time

A recap of the Hudson Valley Venture Hub’s Angel Fund meeting with a pitch from the startup company Clotheslyne.

It’s been a year since the HV Venture Hub launched HV Angel Hub, a program designed to bring in and educate the next generation of angel investors.  The Hudson Valley Angel Hub makes investment in startup companies accessible and in 2023 produced 6 educational webinars via Zoom meetings, and invited 6 startup companies to pitch.           

The HV Angel Fund was created and brought into the HV Venture Hub program by advisor, Tony DiMarco for the purpose of bridging the gap between local investors (current and aspiring) and local startup companies. In addition, the program set out to build local investing capacity by educating investors on the startups in our region, how to invest ethically, and holding monthly events. Monthly events took place both remote and in person and included networking events, pitches, expert panel discussions, and informational presentations. Programs included but were not limited to discussions on angel investing strategies and processes, investor risks and returns, startup pitch criteria, the entrepreneur's perspective, upstate New York entrepreneurs and ecosystems, and alternative investment models.

In the last event of the year,  on November 16th at BarnFox, a new coworking space in Poughkeepsie, the community listened to a pitch from Clotheslyne, a startup based in Goshen, New York. Clotheslyne is at an extremely exciting moment in its history, being accepted in the Techstars program this winter in NYC, and they are fundraising for a bridge round until they get to pitch the Techstars community for a larger raise.

Clotheslyne is a mobile application that collects, cleans, and delivers your laundry right to your door! Clotheslyne not only adds the convenience of a home-delivered laundry service to the community, but also employs members of the community! Members of the community can sign up to become a “Clotheslyner” through the mobile application where they pick up, wash, and deliver laundry to customers throughout the community for 15-25 dollars an hour plus tips! Clotheslyne is a convenient, affordable, and efficient solution for busy people!

Clotheslyne has been working closely with the Hudson Valley Venture Hub. According to the founder of Clotheslyne,  the HVVH has allowed Clotheslyne to penetrate the Hudson Valley startup ecosystem through networking events.

The next few years are crucial for Clotheslyne as they begin their expansion strategy. Clotheslyne is working diligently to understand the different market segments in the Hudson Valley in order to be able to better understand the national market. Their goal is to be a national brand in the next two years. Clotheslyne is in need of hard-working interns that are able to work in person with the team.

Through the HV Venture Hub, pitching to the community at HV Angel Hub isn’t the only service our accelerator has helped the founders with. We’ve issued the startup a microgrant to set up business development infrastructure, found a paid advisor from FedEx revenue growth to advise the company on a weekly basis, and more.

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Madison Engler is currently an MBA candidate concentrating in Healthcare Management at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Madison graduated in Spring 2023 with a Bachelors of Science in Marketing from the State University of New York at New Paltz. After graduation in Spring 2024, Madison plans to work in consumer packaged goods in the food and beverage industry.