Jennifer Tegan

Jennifer Tegan is a seasoned professional with a strong background in venture capital and startup support. As the Managing Director of New York Ventures, a division of Empire State Development, she plays a pivotal role in managing a $100 million investment fund aimed at backing Seed and Series A start-ups across New York State. Jennifer's efforts have significantly expanded access to capital in the innovation ecosystem through various investment funds she initiated. Prior to her current role, she spent 18 years at Cayuga Venture Fund, where she honed her skills in investing and nurturing technology-based start-ups. Jennifer has held board positions at GiveGab, Pom, True Gault, and Venuebook, along with being a member of boards like Tompkins Financial Corporation, National Venture Capital Association, and Upstate Capital Association of New York. Her educational background includes an MBA in Finance from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management, an MS in Geology from the University of Cincinnati, and a BA in Geology from Smith College.