Weinstock Venture Investment Fund

The Weinstock Venture Investment Fund is specifically designed to help York College students and recent alumni take their business from idea to implementation. Through funding, education, mentorship, and access to angel investors, students will get all the resources they need to think like entrepreneurs and make their businesses a reality — all while still enrolled in school!

Here's How it Works 

York College students and recent alumni interested in applying to the fund can expect to go through 3 steps:

Step 1: Apply, pitch, and if selected, receive seed funding (up to $5,000!)

Step 2: Participate in the J.D. Brown Center McNees Accelerator to help your business get off the ground

Step 3: Potential to receive additional funding

Applications for the fifth annual Weinstock Venture Investment Fund will open in the Fall!

Owning My Blackness (OMB) is an organization that works to educate, advocate, and elevate black students. Started by 2022 Criminal Justice grad Briaunna Embrey-Banks, OMB runs diversity and empathy training, helps schools create more inclusive policies, and holds educational speaking events at both the college and high school level.

"I am honored to be a recipient of the Weinstock Venture Investment Fund," said Embrey-Banks. "The funding is giving me the opportunity to be successful."

Lehr Labs, led by 2020 Mechanical Engineering grads Evan Lehr and Marcos Rivera, is a 3D printing company that combines innovative technology, extensive manufacturing experience, and a passion for 3D printing.

The WVIF board was extremely receptive and supportive in providing connections and resources, according to the team at Lehr Labs. “The contacts we made from the WVIF board were invaluable and it was definitely worth participating in the pitch. The funding and mentorship mean a lot to us given that it will help us accelerate our innovation and drive our business development."