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Breaking Into VC:  Built With People, Not Pedigree
Bona's Alum, Fund Advisory Board Member, Shares His Journey
by Denzel Gregg

When I first stepped into venture capital, I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t come from Wall Street, consulting, or a startup. My background was all over the place: professional athlete, a stint in politics, back into college athletics, and then law school. The closest thing I had to VC on my resume was a finance degree I earned nearly ten years ago and never really used.

So, I walked in with no experience, just curiosity and the willingness to learn. Eighteen months later, I’ve realized that venture capital isn’t just about numbers, valuations, or exit multiples. At its core, it’s about people. And that’s something anyone, from any background, can learn if they’re willing to.

The Paperwork Only Gets You So Far

One of my earliest experiences as an intern in VC was dealing with the fund paperwork—LPAs, subscription agreements, governance language. To be honest, it was overwhelming at first. I was still a law student learning how to parse dense documents, and suddenly I was looking at contracts that determined how millions of dollars would be governed.

 

But the deeper I got into it, the more I realized the real lesson wasn’t in the fine print. The paperwork creates the framework, but it doesn’t create trust. A Limited Partner doesn’t invest because the clauses are airtight. They invest because they believe the people running the fund will honor those words.

 

That process felt familiar. In law school, you quickly learn that it’s not enough to recite rules; you also have to apply them in a way that gives people confidence. A client doesn’t hire you just because you know the statute. They hire you because they believe you’ll use that knowledge to protect their interests. The same is true with LPs. They’re not investing in the document. They’re investing in the people behind it.

What I found is that the paperwork process is actually a relationship test. It forces you to explain things clearly, to be transparent about risks, and to show humility when you don’t have every answer. If you handle that process with openness, the documents become a safety net. If you handle it with arrogance, the documents become walls.

 

One of my earliest lessons in VC was simple: the documents set the rules, but the relationships set the tone. The trust you build in those conversations lasts longer than any signature.

 

Founders Are Betting on You Too

 

I used to assume the dynamic in VC was one-sided. Investors had the money, founders needed it. But after sitting with dozens of founders, I realized it’s more mutual than I ever imagined.

When a founder takes your capital, they’re not just accepting a check. They’re making a bet on you. They’re asking themselves hard questions: Will this investor stick around when things get messy? Will they make introductions that actually move the needle? Will they believe in me when the numbers don’t tell the whole story?

 

Some of my most meaningful experiences in venture haven’t involved spreadsheets or valuations at all. They’ve been the moments when a founder called after running dry on capital and we worked together to develop strategy and a path forward. Or when we connected them to someone in our network who helped accelerate their sales process by months. Or when we simply listened, no agenda, because sometimes that’s what a founder actually needs.

 

It reminded me of my time as an athlete. A great coach isn’t measured only by how they celebrate wins, but by how they respond to losses—what they say in the locker room when the scoreboard looks bad, how they instill belief when momentum feels gone. Founders, like athletes, need people in their corner who believe in them not just when they’re winning, but when they’re fighting uphill.

 

Writing a check is the easy part. What founders really remember is how you showed up when there wasn’t a clear win on the table. Money is transactional. Belief and support are relational. And in the long run, founders gravitate toward investors who invest in both.

 

Markets Move, People Endure

 

Markets are fascinating to study. I’ve spent hours digging into sectors like broker connectivity and fintech infrastructure, trying to understand what felt like the most nuanced product-market fit. But the longer I’ve been in VC, the clearer it’s become that markets are fluid. They expand, contract, pivot, and sometimes vanish altogether.

 

What doesn’t change is how people respond when the market turns. Some founders freeze when conditions shift. Others adapt and use the turbulence as fuel. The best don’t just ride the wave. They build boats sturdy enough to weather storms.

 

I saw this firsthand working in municipal government through COVID. Overnight, the playbook went out the window. Budgets collapsed, businesses shut down, and citizens looked to leadership for stability. In those moments, it wasn’t about having the perfect policy on paper. It was about staying composed, communicating clearly, and finding solutions when none seemed obvious. Some leaders froze; others adapted. The ones who led effectively weren’t necessarily the most experienced, but the ones who had the grit to keep moving when the pressure mounted.

 

Venture works the same way. The founders worth betting on aren’t always in the hottest market. They’re the ones who steady the ship when the water gets rough, who don’t panic when deals stall, and who find another way forward when the first plan fails.

 

You can learn market dynamics from a book. You can model growth curves in a spreadsheet. But character under pressure? That’s something you only see in people. And in venture, that’s where the real bet is.
 
Learning Is the Real Job

 

Coming into VC, I didn’t have the traditional toolkit. I wasn’t a banker or consultant with years of deal experience. I had to build it on the fly, asking what felt like “basic” questions, poring over financials, and learning how to spot red flags in governance documents.

 

What surprised me most was how open people were if I just admitted I didn’t know something. Instead of pretending, I asked. Instead of assuming, I listened. Over time, the questions got sharper, the instincts more reliable, and the confidence more natural. What I thought was a weakness—starting from scratch—actually turned into a strength, because it forced me to approach everything with humility and curiosity.

 

It reminded me of law school. On day one, no one really knows how to read a case or think like a lawyer. You stumble through, you get cold-called, you second-guess yourself. But slowly, the repetition builds discipline. You learn to ask better questions, to analyze differently, and to see patterns where you once saw noise. Venture has been no different, just with higher stakes and a different set of textbooks.

 

The real job in VC isn’t about already having all the answers. It’s about building the discipline to keep learning. Markets change. Deal structures evolve. Technologies shift. If you think you’ve “arrived,” you’re already behind.

 

And this lesson applies far beyond venture. You can break into any field, whether it’s law, politics, or venture, if you stay curious, humble, and willing to learn. The technical knowledge will come. The mindset has to be there first.

 

The Human Side of Venture

 

Eighteen months into venture capital, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that this work is far less about money than it is about people. Paperwork matters, but trust matters more. Markets shift, but character endures. Founders need more than capital—they need belief. And no matter where you start, the real job is to keep learning.

 

I came into this field with no traditional background. Athlete, politics, law student—nothing on my résumé said “venture capitalist.” But that turned out not to be a weakness. If anything, it made me approach the industry with fresh eyes and open ears. I’ve learned that you can break into any field if you’re willing to do the work, stay humble, and connect with people in a real way.

 

The technical side of venture—valuations, diligence, structures—can be taught. What makes the difference is showing up as someone others want to work with. Because in the end, the cap table tells you who owns what, but it doesn’t tell you who showed up when it mattered. And that’s the part people never forget.

AUGUST 19, 2025

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A Silicon Valley startup choosing Western New York as its next-gen launch site had a great ring to it two years ago. But KAV Helmets, the Redwood City, California-born innovator of cycling helmets through 3D printing and AI manufacturing, has now doubled down on Buffalo.

 

Founder Whitman Kwok announced at a grand opening event at KAV's Louisiana Street production center Thursday that the maker of custom-fit cycling helmets will call Buffalo its full-time home for all manufacturing; leaving The Valley behind for another Valley; that of the Queen City's Old First Ward. 

 

"It's not just the talent that we find here, it's the people who've been supportive, and a community that has helped us take the next step," Kwok said to a gathering of state, local and regional leaders. 

 

"This is the definition of true success for a community," said Colleen Heidinger, President of 43North, the state accelerator program that awarded KAV one million dollar as part of its annual startup competition in 2024. "We invested in KAV, wrapped our services and support around Whitman and his team. But then, the community stood up around him." 

 

Heidinger specifically mentioned the investment by Brown and White Ventures, the year-old venture capital fund built by alumni and supporters of St. Bonaventure University which operates independently of the university. 

 

"When Brown and White invested, that was a sign of this community's commitment to KAV and in 43 North," Heidinger said. 

 

KAV became Brown and White Ventures' first portfolio company in Q1 2025. The fund followed a $200,000 initial investment with a follow-on investment of $100.000 in Q2. 

 

"Innovation in manufacturing, in the region in which our fund seeks to invest, is one of the reasons we continue to support Whitman and the KAV team," said Jim Aroune, co-founder of Brown and White Ventures. 

 

"I was struck by your passion, for pursuing health, safety, and new technology, and in this place, with such an industrial past, that makes such a connection to what makes Buffalo. You are, truly, a perfect fit," Bonnie Lockwood, Regional Director of WNY, said to Kwok and KAV staff.

 

Lockwood spoke at the factory opening event on behalf of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

 

KAV's Buffalo plant has operated the last two months with a staff of five. It has produced KAV's two helmet models, including its Rhoan helmet, the company's newest model. 

 

Kwok said Wednesday the company would hire three, and up to ten employees in its new micro-factory, which has dozens of nearly-silent 3D printers spinning the company's helmets.

 

"We are extremely excited to grow with this community," Kwok said.

AUGUST 7, 2025

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In a time when one in four Americans have been victimized by package theft on their property, 2025 seemed right for an answer to what's become a $12 billion annual crime impacting 58 million people in the U.S.  Enter Hello Package and its tech-driven, customer-focused response.  Hello Package's smart package solution, rolling out into housing developments,  creates on-site, open-shelving access in multi-family and student housing communities.  Creators of PackageSolutions' lead service say HelloPackage has four times the capacity of normal package locker solutions.  Its commitment to innovation and tech advancement provides human assistance and automatic adaptation to the growing e-commerce industry and large-scale increase in package volume. HelloPackage leaders call it a future-proof product. HelloPackage creates adaptive spaces in existing housing structures and also offers a solution that includes an independent package pod, where both delivery staff and residents have digitally provided access.  See how the system works in the company's short demonstration video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWKW9Q71LdI Brown and White Ventures announced August 1, 2025 its investment commitment to PackageSolutions and HelloPackage.

AUGUST 4, 2025

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You Gotta Believe.. In Data
How wellconnected Brings Social Service Together

 

Belief in data. ​Brown and White Ventures' new portfolio company, wellconnected, is driving that expression to draw funders and nonprofits together to better serve the people who need their services.  ​CEO Duane Conners said wellconnected's platform, allco, has been engineered to fit an agencies’ specific needs around intake and case management.  ​The platform coordinates that information in such a way that users can pull automated health information summaries, which are presented in layman terms and create crucial context for SDOH. ​“Just like an HIE, ‘allco’ has a longitudinal record for social care,” Conners said. “The difference is ours is directly built into the case management suite. So if someone walks into a shelter, it’s a full-stack understanding of their history – if they ever needed transportation or childcare or have food insecurity – because all of those community agencies really need to work together.” ​Conners spreads that message at events like the HIMSS conference in Las Vegas, an international gathering of those leading cutting-edge healthcare and IT earlier this year. There, he shared the story of wellconnected's first-of-its-kind community information exchange in Chicago, Buffalo, New Jersey and West Virginia and the importance of leveraging data for the social determinants of health. ​“If someone comes in for housing assistance, our users can see historically that he lost his job and he needed rent assistance that had fallen off," Conners said. "So he can step in and start working with those other providers to make sure that doesn’t happen again.” ​The company was formed in 2021 as a mission-driven startup aiming to create a better social safety net for the people in our society who need help.  Through its ‘allco’ software, the company brings a networked enterprise platform to a fractious and inefficient industry, driving collaboration between nonprofits and their funders. Government entities and foundations in the states and communities wellconnected serves are driving adoption to thousands of nonprofits. Learn more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmhOsyH2Q3Q

JULY 30, 2025

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Steve Steinberger collected New York Knicks trading cards as a kid. Walt Frazier was his guy, but Steinberger's entire collection of Knicks cards remained his treasured childhood possession. Fifty years later, Steinberger's committed his energy as an entrepreneur to the future of digital collectibles, including blockchain trading cards that make the ones he used snap up as a kid seem like archaeological artifacts. "They always got beat up. They always lost value because of their physical condition," Steinberger said. "With the ones we help people create, they don't have to worry about that. Plus, the ones created can be verified as original works, with authentic value," said Steinberger, the founder of NFT-tradingcards.biz. With a platform that helps anyone create NFT trading cards on the block chain, Steinberger is helping to cut the path for not only artists, professionals, creators and influencers to profit from their own talent, brands and reputation, but, of course, athletes can do the same.  Steinberger built the company as NIL changed the landscape for athletes of all ages, all sports, all levels of competition.  Steinberger, a Canandaigua, New York native who now builds his company out of Florida, joined Jim Aroune for the latest episode of Brown and White Ventures. On the program, he goes in-depth about his company, as well as the crypto currency company, nftXc.biz, that will launch a new crypto currency specifically for digital collectibles.  ​Find the program at Brown and White Ventures website and at this link: https://youtu.be/coTgcazdM6U

JULY 21, 2025

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Paradigm Emissions Technologies, a new portfolio company of Brown and White Ventures, has  developed its plasma system to address pollutants produced by diesel engines without requiring filters or chemicals.  ​Its device creates a low-maintenance alternative to traditional filtration systems that is compatible with both exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and downstream after-treatment configurations. ​It cost-effectively removes PM from exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and exhaust Aftertreatment including diesel particulate filters (DPF). ​Elimination of the most lethal fine particles is especially important. ​“This support (from Brown and White Ventures) will accelerate our ability to scale, deepen our pilot programs, and bring our technology to more fleets and OEMs that can’t afford to wait for other powertrain technologies to become viable,” said John Erbland, Paradigm founder and CEO. ​The Paradigm system is a relatively compact device which can be easily installed in the engine’s EGR System or downstream with other aftertreatment devices. It is a pass-thru device with no back-pressure fuel penalty and it does not require heat to operate. The system connects to the engine’s electrical supply. Paradigm’s “Smart Pipe” controller constantly communicates with the engine ECM. ​Paradigm’s Plasma Reactor System can be combined with catalyst technology to reduce PM, HC, CO and NOx. ​Paradigm plans to launch its second-generation product in 2026. ​Its  pilot program is scheduled to  include the fleets of: Monroe County (NY), Casella, Lewis Tree, and Regional Transit Service (RTS). The pilot would validate performance and demonstrate real-world impact.

JULY 16, 2025

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Brown And White Ventures Investing in Paradigm Emissions Technologies
Bona's Alum Leading Clean Tech Startup Decarbonizing Diesel Engine Emissions

Brown and White Ventures has reached an agreement to invest in Paradigm Emissions Technologies, Inc., a pioneering clean-tech startup based in Rochester, NY, focused on advancing the sustainability of diesel engines through innovative emissions-reduction decarbonization technology. Founded by John H. Erbland and Neville F. Rieger, Paradigm Emissions Technologies designs and manufactures a patented decarbonization plasma technology device that significantly reduces CO₂ emissions, improves engine fuel efficiency, and lowers fleet maintenance costs. With the potential to eliminate global CO₂ at gigaton levels, Paradigm Emissions Technologies provides a pathway to net-zero emissions, while helping fleets operate cleaner, longer, and more sustainably. ​Paradigm Emissions Technologies is backed by third-party testing and active pilot programs across New York State with a mission to deliver real-world solutions that balance environmental impact with economic feasibility. ​“We are proud to be investing in the team at Paradigm and its outstanding system,” said Jim Aroune, General Partner with Brown and White Ventures, LLC. “It presents an opportunity in the emissions control sector, and the significant diesel engine base that operates in our communities and our industrial, construction and municipal sectors.” “We’re honored to have Brown and White Ventures join us as a strategic partner in this next phase of growth. Their investment is a strong vote of confidence in our technology and our mission to deliver practical, real-world solutions that reduce emissions and improve air quality today,” said Erbland, founder, and CEO of Paradigm Emissions Technologies.   ​Paradigm Emissions Technologies has developed its system to address pollutants produced by diesel engines without requiring filters or chemicals.  Its device creates a low-maintenance alternative to traditional filtration systems that is compatible with both exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and downstream aftertreatment configurations. ​“Investing in Paradigm Emissions Technologies aligns with our commitment to energy and technology startups, and manufacturing in Western New York and the Rochester/Finger Lakes regions,” said Aroune.  “The Paradigm system offers fleet operators a compliance-ready option without having to replace equipment or modify support systems. Our study leads us to conclude Paradigm is on the road to unlocking significant value in a sector largely overlooked.” ​Paradigm Emissions Technologies plans to launch its second-generation product in 2026, with pilot programs scheduled with fleets operated by:  Monroe County, Casella, Lewis Tree, and Regional Transit Service (RTS) to validate performance and demonstrate real-world impact. ​“This support (from Brown and White Ventures) will accelerate our ability to scale, deepen our pilot programs, and bring our technology to more fleets and OEMs that can’t afford to wait for other powertrain technologies to become viable,” said Erbland.  ​Its investment in Paradigm Emissions Technologies will also mark the first time the venture capital fund will invest in a startup founder who is an alumnus of the university. John Erbland earned a B.A. in Economics from St. Bonaventure University.

JULY 9, 2025

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"Fast-paced and deeply rewarding."
Venture analyst intern shares more about his first two months with Brown and White Ventures
By Gabriel Kiekenbeck

From day one, I was welcomed into the investment team—sitting in on founder pitches, asking questions, and contributing to internal conversations about deal opportunities. What made the start of this internship particularly meaningful was being involved in the deal sourcing process from the ground up. In May, we began identifying and evaluating a diverse pipeline of early-stage startups. After narrowing the list to our top prospects, I had the chance to dig into detailed diligence—analyzing business models, financials, market positioning, and founder dynamics. Presenting my findings and helping inform the team’s investment decisions has been both challenging and energizing. Working in data rooms, engaging directly with founders, and drafting investment memos gave me a front-row seat to how decisions are made in venture capital. Asking whether a company can scale—and whether a founding team can actually pull it off—is a hard question, but one I’ve come to really enjoy wrestling with as I build my own intuition. One of the most valuable parts of the experience has been learning from the partners and board members at the firm. Seeing how experienced business professionals assess risk and long-term upside has been a crash course in how real world decisions are being made. What makes this internship especially meaningful is working alongside fellow Bona alumni who share my values and are genuinely committed to pushing the University and its students forward. As we move into the next phase of the investment cycle, I’m excited to continue contributing and taking on more strategic work across our growing portfolio. Gabriel Kiekenbeck is a recent graduate of St. Bonaventure University, where he studied Business Administration and Management.

JUNE 30, 2025

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KAVHelmets announced it will serve as the official helmet sponsor for Gravel Worlds 2025, one of the most renowned grassroots gravel races in the nation.  This year's Gravel Worlds takes place in Lincoln, Nebraska, August 20–24, Gravel Worlds welcomes riders of all levels—from those conquering 30 miles or exceeding 300. Organizers call it a race built on camaraderie, determination, and a shared love for gravel riding, "with no egos and no barriers, just gravel, grit, and great people." KAV's announcement comes after the successful launch of its newest racing helmet model, Rhoan. It's Rhoan helmet is 3D printed KAV says it's made to channel air and shed heat. The company's AI manufacturing process creates a purely custom-fit helmet, designed to exceed safety standards while providing riders the conditions for speed that matters in competition. Rhoan is one of two models produced by KAV manufactured in the company's new production center in Buffalo, NY.   The helmet company has built a strong connection to Gravel World.  The riding event launched under the banner of The Goodlife Gravel Adventure in 2008. KAV describes it as a riding event with no categories, no officials and no prize money; just pure, unscripted competition and post-ride camaraderie.  Registration for Gravel Worlds 2025 is now open. KAV expects its riding community to be a part of the event, promoting this year's edition of Gravel Worlds with: "Choose your route. Gather your crew," and it's trademark slogan: "Get Out There." KAVHelmets is a portfolio company of Brown and White Ventures.

JUNE 20, 2025

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Brown and White Ventures co-founder Jim Aroune has been invited to join other WNY venture eco-system contributors to judge applicants for the Year 11 Cohort of the 43 North. The eleven-year-old startup accelerator invests $1 million in five companies each year that commit to relocating to Buffalo through its immersive program. Each year, 43 North teams up with VCs, operators, and ecosystem supporters to review and score applications. Hundreds arrive. 43 North counts on judges to spot-check, validate, and ensure quality and integrity in the selection process. Judges are matched with applicants based on industry expertise and areas of interest, offering a chance to see relevant deals. Scoring is virtual. A scoring template is provided by the program. Applications for 43 North's Year 11 Cohort close July 9th. Applicants are then assigned to judges two days later. Judges offer scores for the applicants four days later.

JUNE 19, 2025

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Brown and White Ventures Invests In HelloPackage
Fund Backs Tech-Driven Package Management Solution
 

Brown and White Ventures has reached an agreement to invest in Package Solutions, a startup whose lead service, HelloPackage, redefines last-mile logistics in multi-family and student housing through AI, automation, and on-site holding of deliverable packages.  ​In HelloPackage, PackageSolutions has built a system which centralizes delivery management, package tracking, and resident communication into one intelligent system. ​HelloPackage, founded in Atlanta, Georgia, manages thousands of packages and delivery drivers each month—reducing operational costs, improving resident experience, and creating new NOI for property owners. ​“What Brown and White Ventures finds in HelloPackage is a company that enhances security and convenience in a universal experience: the home delivery of goods and services,” Jim Aroune, co-founder and General Partner of Brown and White Ventures, LLC. “PackageSolutions is poised to successfully leverage technology to address this challenge, especially for those who live in multi-unit housing and residential developments.” ​"We’re excited to have Brown & White Ventures join us as a strategic partner and advisor in our next phase of growth. Their investment reflects confidence in our technology, team, and vision to deliver AI, computer vision, and service that simplify last-mile logistics and elevate the resident experience,” said Paul Favorov, CEO/CTO of PackageSolutions, maker of HelloPackage. ​Owners and operators use HelloPackage to reduce onsite staff burden, lower costs, and improve resident satisfaction—helping communities lease faster and retain residents longer. ​HelloPackage currently serves 52,000 units, including communities managed by NMHC Top 20 Owners and Operators. The company processes more than six million packages annually and maintains a 4.4-star resident satisfaction rating across more than 50,000 reviews. “With the support from Brown & White Ventures, we’ll accelerate customer implementations, expand into key markets like Texas and the West Coast, and bring our AI-driven logistics solution to more communities overwhelmed by packages and delivery drivers,” Favorov said.  ​Its commitment to PackageSolutions is Brown and White Ventures’ fifth investment in a portfolio company in its first year of distributing funding to startup companies.  ​Learn more about HelloPackage at: https://www.hellopackage.com

AUGUST 1, 2025

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Paradigm Green Emissions System Featured
Paradigm Emission Technologies CEO John Erbland with News10NBC Investigative Reporter Jennifer Lewke

The difference Paradigm Emissions Technologies makes in a diesel engine is easy to see in a pair of circular filter devices the size of a plum. One is a blackened, soot-filled ring at the end of an exhaust system that is not managed by Paradigm's plasma technology that eliminates particulates. The black is the soot normally released from diesel engines; what most of us see at construction sites, from long-haul trucking vehicles and from public and commercial bus lines.  The other filter is pure white. Untouched by particulates that had been managed earlier in Paradigm's anti-particulate filtering appliance. There's no soot in this filter because the plasma system's already broken it down. The only thing pushed through the white filter is water vapor.  Reporter Jennifer Lewke showed the difference during her News10 NBC Rochester report Friday, July 25, 2025 in an in-depth report on Paradigm.  See more on the story at this link. https://www.whec.com/top-news/local-companys-patented-technology-reduces-diesel-engine-emissions-gains-investor-attention/ And learn more about Paradigm, a Brown and White Ventures portfolio company, at https://paradigmemissionstech.com

JULY 26, 2025

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Healthcare Finance and Innovation Leader Guides wellconnected
WNY Native Bringing Social Care Together
 

The inspiration for the startup seeking to change social services through unifying technology and process comes from Duane Conners's extensive experience in Western New York's health and social care systems.  Conners, the co-founder and CEO of wellconnected, has positioned himself as a key player in the fields of healthcare finance and innovation for a generation.  Conners, a 2000 Pioneer Central graduate, studied at the University at Buffalo School of Management and graduated with a B.S. in Financial Analysis.   Kaleida Health brough Conners on in 2008. His career with the region's largest health organization led to his tenure as a Senior Decision Support Advisor at Buffalo General Medical Center. Here, he provided invaluable financial and clinical analysis, aiding project and management teams in navigating complex decisions. Conners's expertise grew as he transitioned to the role of Manager of Budget and Financial Analysis at Kaleida Health, where he led a team dedicated to developing a service line-based budget across the organization. His analytical skills and leadership paved the way for future opportunities. In 2015, he briefly served as a Financial Analyst at North American Breweries, Inc. before taking on the challenge of Network Finance Manager at HealthNow New York Inc., where he played a pivotal role until May 2016. His tenure showcased his ability to blend financial acumen with strategic insights, strengthening healthcare finances. In addition to his extensive healthcare experience, Conners founded rprt in October 2015, serving as CEO until August 2022. Under his leadership, rprt specialized in creating reporting environments and implementing solid data practices that benefited nonprofit and non-tertiary care providers. This entrepreneurial venture solidified his status as an innovator in the field. Conners’s commitment to enhancing healthcare solutions can be found in his work with VBP Forward from September 2018 to April 2021, where he helped healthcare organizations develop value-based care solutions and improve population health outcomes. His collaborative spirit led to co-founding the Center of Excellence for Infection Prevention and Control (COEIPAC) in January 2017, dedicated to spearheading innovative strategies in infection prevention. His early career included significant roles at organizations like Infonaut, where he served as Vice President of Business Development, and the Western New York Impact Investment Fund as an Investment Associate. These experiences equipped him with a broader understanding of healthcare investment and operational strategies. It led to wellconnected, the newest portfolio company of Brown and White Ventures. Founded four years ago, the company's platform "allco" works directly with community-based organizaqtions to create a secure, central data hub that removes silos, allows collaboration and ultimately provides better social care services. Conners' s SaaS introduced itself in Buffalo and Erie County before making inroads into West Virginia and New Jersey. It's big break came months ago, when it engaged in a five-year agreement with Chicago and Cook County, Illinois.  Conners continues to be a driving force for positive change in the industry, proving that a dedication to data-driven practices and innovative solutions can lead to significant advancements in health care delivery.

JULY 18, 2025

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Brown and White Ventures announced Monday July 14, 2025 it will invest $200,000 in wellconnected, a four-year old Buffalo, New York based startup whose “allco” platform gives social care agencies a standardized way to perform intake, case management, data collection and referrals.  Many different nonprofits align into one standardized system under wellconnected platform, ‘allco.' It turns inefficient ad hoc networks into engines of true collaboration. The investment by Brown and White Ventures is seed funding for wellconnected which will support the national rollout of “allco.” The platform has made major integrations with social care systems in New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Illinois and positioned “allco” as a disruptive force dedicated to improving U.S. social care. “We find it compelling how welllconnected and “allco” tackle the long-standing fragmentation of social services in our country. We’re proud to be investing in a company positioned to become the digital infrastructure for social care in the United States,” said Jim Aroune, General Partner at Brown and White Ventures. “We’re grateful to the team at Brown and White Ventures for understanding the scope of vision as we pursue this very important mission,” wellconnected founder and CEO Duane Conners said. “wellconnected is bringing deeply necessary change that brings structured data and real-time analytics to the American social safety net so that we can provide quality resources and service to community members who need it most.” Conners reports “allco’s” primary clients include: non-profit organizations, public sector agencies and health insurers. The platform can also serve municipal governments engaged in delivering social care services, including housing support, food assistance, re-entry programming for formerly incarcerated individuals, mental health counseling and employment services. "By backing wellconnected, Brown and White Ventures sees an opportunity to make good on our Franciscan mission to promote compassionate service, respect and peace in our investments," Aroune said.  In 2021, Conners and Jamie Bono founded "allco." One of the platform's first partners was 211 Western New York, which received funding from Launch NY and Buffalo Innovative Seed Company. ​ While wellconnected would land contracts in New Jersey and West Virginia, it was the closing of a five-year pilot program contract with the city of Chicago and Cook County, Illinois that doubled the company's revenue in 2024.

JULY 14, 2025

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For all the pedaling and pounding pace cyclists endure, bike helmet safety and speed can come down to the polymors under the shell, especially the proprietary kind KAV Helmets put to use. KAV founder Whitman Kwok shared that and more about his helmet company on the N-1 Podcast with James Huang. Huang, who promotes his program to be all the bicycle news that's fit to print, toured KAV's California headquarters to learn more about the startup and how it's challenging the manufacturing process of cycling safety. N-1's title for the episode: Turning The Bike Helmet Hegemony On Its Head. KAV Helmets is a portfolio company of Brown and White Ventures.

JULY 9, 2025

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Halfway through my internship and I’ve already learned more than I ever imagined. In my first week at Brown and White Ventures, I had the chance to learn about the company’s mission, values and investment approach. I was also welcomed by an incredible team that has supported and guided me throughout the journey. One of the most valuable parts of this experience has been participating in founders’ pitch meetings, where I learned how to actively listen, identify key focus areas and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. From these sessions, I helped prepare investment memos for companies selected for investment consideration. Research we produced and presentation we delivered in these documents played a key role in pushing a deal into follow-on discussions. Through the investment memo process, I learned how to conduct detailed due diligence, financial modelling, market research, assess risks and evaluate product-market fit working with real data and develop comparables to support recommendations. Headline: Brown and White Ventures invites its interns to participate in follow-on meetings with selected startups. We observed how experienced investors think critically and ask sharp, concise follow-on questions of a prospective investment's financials, business models, risks, defensibility, and team dynamics. In one of these conversations, we learned to assess whether assumptions in revenue forecasts were realistic based on historical data and market benchmarks. These meetings helped me move from theoretical knowledge to practical insight, where I could anticipate what questions matter most to investors and why. Beyond analysis, fund staff shared how to pitch and confidently present what we do as a fund, and how we invest. Taking part in the pitching process boosted my confidence and sharpened my communication skills. I’m grateful for the experience so far and look forward to continuing learning in the second half of my internship. Sandisiwe Nyama is a recent MBA graduate of the Kogod School of Business at American University. She earned her undergraduate degree in Banking and Finance from Great Zimbabwe University.

JUNE 25, 2025

Neil Bommele.heic

Brown and White Ventures announced that Neil Bommele of Fairport will serve as the fund's newest Associate.  Bommele has applied his experience as a member of the venture capital fund's board since 2024. A proud alumnus of St. Bonaventure University (Class of 1987,) Bommele is renowned for his enthusiastic engagement with his alma mater. Neil is a firm believer in the strength of alumni networks to generate business opportunities and support the institution’s growth. Bommele's diverse career in sales across sectors such as mortgages, consumer goods, and real estate management highlights his adaptability and entrepreneurial drive. He owned Healthy Vends, a food vending company. Bommele also previously worked at Oxford Mortgage, Recorded Books and Wilton Enterprises.  Bommele's dedication to strengthening alumni connections continues to benefit the fund and the university at large.​​​​

JUNE 20, 2025

Insights

Brown and White Venture Podcast Episode 101, premiers April 29, 2025.Host Jim Aroune welcomes David Brown, managing partner at Impellant Ventures and Board Chair at Upstate Capital Association of New York to discuss upstate's venture capital ecosystem, the need for mentors in vc and the "one thing" VC across upstate needs more "collisions."





 

JUNE 5, 2025

New KAV Helmets Model Rolls Out Of WNY Plant
Tour Of New Buffalo Production Center
 
KAV Helmets, makers of a revolutionary cycling helmet that is made using AI and 3-D printing, brought its manufacturing center in Buffalo, NY to life in May 2025. KAV staff share more about the launch of production in Western New York, as the 43 North alum and California-born startup hits a new gear.


 

JUNE 5, 2025

Lawyers Launching Their Own Firms
Von Wooding, Counsel Stack
New Legal Tech leads with AI Research, crosses with what its founder calls a platform that's "a law firm in a box."

 
Counsel Stack, a legal teach startup leveraging AI for research and law firm operations to enhance attorney efficiency, can also create opportunity for lawyers who wish to launch their own firm; as explained by Counsel Stack founder Von Wooding. Recorded March, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA.

JUNE 5, 2025

Introducing Legal AI When Trust Is At A Premium
Counsel Stack founder Von Wooding told the Pittsburgh Post GAzette about the challenges of AI in law and the courts, and how his company's platform responds to those challenges. Comments shared in an interview in January 2025.

JUNE 5, 2025

KAV's Custom Fit FInds Talent Fit In Buffalo
Whitman Kwok, founder and CEO of KAV, speaks on the workforce of the region as he prepares to open his cycling helmet company's new manufacturing center in Buffalo, NY. January 2025.

JUNE 5, 2025

Old Factory Becomes KAV Helmets New Manufacturing Center
Brown and White Ventures gets its first look at  KAV Helmets  new cycling helmet production plant. The Silicon Valley transplant is opening a plant on Louisiana Street in the Old First Ward of Buffalo, NY. KAV's Alex Greening and Megan Kelly lead us in January, 2025 through the company's corner of what was, in the 20th century, a BarcaLounger chair factory.

JUNE 5, 2025

Range of Investment at BWV
Brown and White Ventures founder Chuck O'Neill explains the investment range for the venture capital fund to Buffalo Business First reporter Lian Bunny, December 2023. Brown and White Ventures was first named the St. Bona Venture Fund I. It changed that name to Brown and White Ventures in 2024.

JUNE 5, 2025

COUNSEL STACK MAKES ITS CASE
Brown and White Ventures Podcast: Counsel Stack Founder Von Wooding
Host: Jim Aroune

 
Host Jim Aroune welcomes Von Wooding, founder of Counsel Stack, legal tech startup focused on delivering a reliable AI suite of services for attorneys, law firms, courts and law students. Wooding, a graduate of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University and, before that, Oberlin College football player, shares how he developed Counsel Stack as a way to pass the Bar Exam, how it stacks up to the exacting expectations of the legal industry, and why it could set free a new generation of law practitioners.


 

JUNE 5, 2025

Creative Collisions and Why Upstate's NY's Venture Scene Needs More
Dave Brown, Impellant Ventures
Brown and White Podcast
Host Jim Aroune welcomes David Brown, managing partner at Impellent Ventures and Board Chair at Upstate Capital Association of New York to discuss upstate's venture capital ecosystem, the need for mentors in vc and the "one thing" VC across upstate needs more are "creative collisions."


Full Episode: https://youtu.be/v3uJeC7lEk4

JUNE 5, 2025

KAV Factory Takes Helmet Maker To Next Stage



 
WKBW-TV Anchor Michael Wooten profiles KAV and Brown and White Helmets as KAV prepares to open its Buffalo, NY manufacturing center. With KAV Founder, CEO Whitman Kwok and Brown and White Ventures General Partner Jim Aroune.

JUNE 5, 2025

How Can AI Work For A Law Firm and Those It Serves
Counsel Stack, a legal tech platform that applies AI for research and law office operations, is demonstrated by founder Von Wooding and attorney James Cartwright. Produced in Pittsburgh, PA in March 2025. 

JUNE 5, 2025

Why Launch A Startup: KAV Founder, With A Word For Entrepreneurs
KAV founder Whitman Kwok speaks to entrepreneurs and why they should "do it." KAV is a company supported by investment by Brown and White Ventures. Feb. 2025

JUNE 5, 2025

First Impression: Brown and White Ventures Introduced at SBU
Chuck O'Neill, St. Bonaventure University Class of 1983, and founder of venture capital fund Brown and White Ventures, speaks to university alums and local business leaders about the launch of the fund in December, 2023. O'Neill speaks at the Swan Center at SBU.      

JUNE 5, 2025

A Safer Ride: KAV Helmets Original Mission
KAV  Helmets founder Whitman Kwok describes how his company's cycling helmets, engineered to be three times safer than others, meet the protective needs of those who wear them.

JUNE 5, 2025

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