
Brown and white ventures
LATEST NEWS
June 26, 2026
GreenIRR CEO, On Surviving and Thriving A Startup Pivot
Celine King compared it to being married. Not just being resolute in backing an idea, but being in a deep, personal relationship with her vision for GreenIRR, the carbon accounting environmentally-conscious Saas platform serving shipping fleets. King recognized the answers GreenIRR found to the questions: who cares about the data her conpany produced, and who was willing to pay for it, were not sustainable. It led the recent Fairfield University graduate to move GreenIRR to a secondary market, top-down approach to distribution. "It was more difficult personally than professionally," King said. King turned to GreenIRR's advisory board, filled with professionals in industry, supply chain and finance. Together, they managed the company's pivot. “Leaning on them to navigate the best way to survive the current environment," King said. "Taking different opinions from people I trust was probably critical to making the decisions we made.” GreenIRR continues to grow. King's confident the company wouldn't be where it is without the valued perspective of the startup's board.
RECENT NEWS

Counsel Stack Invited To '26 ILTACON in Nashville
Founder Von Wooding will take Counsel Stack to the International Legal Technology Association in Nashville, TN August 23rd. Wooding's Pittsburgh-based startup will be one of two-dozen legal AI tech companies available to a giant concentration of technology decision-makers. Expected attendees include law firm tech leaders, including CIOs, CTOs and IT directors from small firms to G200 firms. "We're excited to be one of the few companies invited to participate," Wooding said. "It means firms and IT operators are taking notice of Counsel Stack." Legal operations managers, litigation support professionals and knowledge managers are among the operational experts attending ILTACON. In-house counsel and corporate tech managers represent corporate legal departments who will arrive ready to take the next step in Nashville. ILTACON is a prime environment for people who evaluate and deploy legal software. Firms like Counsel Stack don't just meet lawyers, they interact directly with the IT and operations leaders who lead implementation and control budgets. ILTA features a dedicated ILTA Startup Hub, offering emerging companies a highly affordable, designated space in the exhibit hall designed specifically for new disruptors to get noticed. It's where conference attendees will find Counsel Stack. Wooding appreciates the peer-driven interaction of ILTACON and believes it'll be a most efficient effort to grow Counsel Stack's partner base. "You won't find many places like it where you can validate your product-market fit. We'll hear pain points directly from those who practice law and those who lead the IT operations of firms," Wooding said. Counsel Stack is a portfolio company of Brown and White Ventures.
June 26, 2026

Students Sprint Into Summer Internship Program
For the 10th semester, Brown and White Ventures hosted student interns to observe and participate in the fund's venture capital mission. Matthew Wilson, St. Bonaventure University, stopped by the fund's Fairport offices in June to visit with Neil Bommele and Jim Aroune. Wilson, a Brighton resident and junior finance major, joined Michael Sears, a 2026 St. Bonaventure graduate and MBA student, and Christian Smith, a sophomore sports marketing major at SBU, in the latest class of fund interns. Interns in this program participate in the fund's due diligence process, take part in fund and startup pitch calls and develop content for the fund's communication initiatives.
June 19, 2026

Fund Founders Attend SBU Invitational, University Endowment Event
The co-founders of Brown and White Ventures Fund I are proud to have been a part of a tremendous advancement event hosted by St. Bonaventure University. Its second annual St. Bonaventure Invitational golf event at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina boosted the institution’s endowment to new heights. Beyond walking both Pinehurst’s newest course The Sand Mine, and the The Cradle, site of 4 US Opens, as well as a PGA Championship and a Ryder Cup, Jim Aroune (‘87) and Chuck O'Neill (‘83) shared three days of great conversation with alums who care deeply about the institution. Congratulations to SBU President Jeff Gingerich, trustee emeritus MichaelHickey, whose vision for the event is delivering a unique experience for alums, current board chair LukeBrown and the entire SBU Golf Committee for making a new fundraising tradition as Bona’s as any other. The limited partners of Brown and White Ventures commit to delivering 10% of the fund's net profits as a charitable contribution to the university.
June 16, 2026
WHY BROWN AND WHITE VENTURES?
Integrity
Behaving honorably, even when no one is watching. We follow moral and ethical principles in all aspects of business and extend strong ethical practices in decision making, interacting with colleagues and serving customers or clients.
Insight
Being able to see or understand something clearly, often sensed using intuition. Understanding the company goals enables us to find solutions to even the most difficult tasks.
Experience
Varied professional experiences makes a difference in venture capital. Our willingness to share that experience and see our companies through adds value to our portfolio.
Investment Focus

Healthcare and Medical Startups
Shaping the future of wellness

Supporting Diversity in Entrepreneurship
Fostering diversity in entrepreneurship

Tech and Energy Startups
Driving progress towards sustainable solutions

WNY, FLX, CNY and Upstate
Generating growth in the University footprint.










