Real Insights, No Fluff: UR’s Startup & VC Night

Rochester, N.Y. - Rochester’s next generation of founders, investors, and operators gathered this past Saturday at Fairport Brewing Co. for Start-up and VC Night, an event hosted by the Simon School Venture Fund (SSVF), Net Impact, Uncorked, and the Simon Entrepreneurs Association (SEA). Designed as both an educational forum and a community-building experience, the evening delivered a strong signal: Rochester’s innovation economy continues to gain momentum, driven by accessible platforms that connect talent, capital, and ideas.

At the center of the event was a VC & Startup Panel featuring a mix of University of Rochester alumni and other entrepreneurs and investors.

The panel included:

• Alex Wang (Nuveen) – Senior Analyst in Responsible Investing, who spoke about ESG strategy and long-term capital allocation

  
  

• Jenny Timineri (Excell Partners) – Senior Analyst who discussed how venture firms evaluate early-stage startups, emphasizing that having firsthand startup and founder experience provides a critical edge when assessing investment opportunities.

  
  

• Rolf Witt (Armory Square Ventures) – Principal Valuation Specialist, provided a perspective on what VCs look for and how startups succeed.

• Kseniya Kalaur (Butler/Till) – Senior Automation Specialist who discussed the application of AI and workflow automation in modern business systems, while also offering practical guidance for international students as they navigate career planning and post-graduation opportunities.

• Felicia Ramallo (Allara) – Associate Director of Nutrition, Shared her experience scaling a high-growth women’s health telehealth company, including building and managing a team of over 150 professionals.

The discussion struck a balance between tactical insight and real-world perspective. VCs outlined what they are prioritizing in today’s marketdisciplined founders, clear paths to revenue, and scalable business models, while founders and operators shared the realities of building and growing companies from the ground up.

A recurring theme throughout the conversation was adaptability. Whether navigating early-stage fundraising, implementing AI into operations, or scaling teams, panelists emphasized that success today requires both strategic clarity and the ability to evolve quickly. The conversation also highlighted the increasing intersection of technology, automation, and venture capital, reinforcing how AI-driven efficiencies are becoming core to competitive advantage.

Beyond the panel, the event delivered on its broader goal: creating access. Students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals had the opportunity to engage directly in a more informal setting, often where the most valuable connections are made.

Events like this are critical for a market like Rochester. While the region has strong academic institutions and a growing base of entrepreneurial talent, consistent, high-quality convenings are what transform potential into sustained ecosystem growth.

The Role of the Simon School Venture Fund

A key driver behind the event is the Simon School Venture Fund (SSVF),one of the most hands-on venture capital learning platforms in the region.

SSVF is a student-run, early-stage venture fund based at the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School. Backed by alumni capital and supported by an advisory board of experienced investors and operators, the fund operates with a level of rigor that mirrors traditional VC firms.

What sets SSVF apart is its fully immersive model. Students are not simply learning about venture capital, they are executing it. Participants:

• Source and evaluate early-stage investment opportunities

• Conduct detailed due diligence and market analysis

• Engage directly with founders

• Present investment recommendations to an advisory board

• Participate in real investment decisions

• Monitor and analyze portfolio performance over time

  
  

The fund focuses on high-growth, early-stage companies across sectors including technology, healthcare, financial services, and consumer markets. In doing so, it serves as both a training ground for future investors and a meaningful contributor to the broader startup ecosystem.

More importantly, SSVF plays a connective role. It bridges the gap between academic talent and real-world venture activity, helping to ensure that Rochester is not just producing talent, but retaining and activating it.

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