Connected Know

Rochester, N.Y. - Raising capital is often framed as a milestone, an announcement-worthy achievement marked by press releases, congratulatory posts, and celebratory headlines. But for most founders, the reality is far less polished. Capital raising is not a single moment; it is a prolonged, operationally demanding process that tests clarity of vision, depth of preparation, and personal resilience. For early-stage founders, particularly those outside major venture hubs, understanding what it...

BROCKPORT, N.Y. — After spending more than a decade teaching English to students around the world, found herself ready for a new challenge. Today, she is the founder of VerbaVista , an early-stage EdTech company launched in 2025 that aims to help English-language educators plan lessons more effectively using technology built by teachers, for teachers. LaScala-Lodato’s path to entrepreneurship was anything but conventional. A native of Port Jefferson, New York, she earned a bachelor’s degree...

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The youth sports industry in the United States has evolved into one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of the broader sports economy, fueled by rising household spending, name/image/likeness (NIL) the professionalization of youth athletics, and increasing interest from institutional investors. Once dominated by community leagues and seasonal play, youth sports today operates as a year-round, pay-to-play ecosystem that mirrors many aspects of professional sports....