LaunchPad Awards Additional Spring 2026 Student Start-Up Fund Grants
Syracuse University Libraries’ LaunchPad has awarded additional $1,000 Student Start-Up Fund grants for the Spring 2026 semester to the following:
- Ares Lead, co-founded by student entrepreneurs Spencer Chan ’26 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Mirco Kunz ’26 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management). Ares Lead is a lead generation agency built exclusively for heat ventilation air condition (HVAC) contractors. Ares Lead delivers high-quality, exclusive leads through targeted ad campaigns, automated follow-up, and Return on Investment (ROI) tracking dashboards, so contractors can focus on installations instead of chasing jobs. "Resources like this Launchpad grant empower collegiate startups to navigate the path of entrepreneurship. It is a gift that allows me to stress less about the initial financial investments that come out of my pocket for my business and simultaneously makes me feel proud to be a part of this Syracuse University community!" said co-founder Spencer Chan.
- Evne Lessons, co-founded by student entrepreneurs Nate Dempsey ’27 (Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), John Giordano ’26 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Sean Alvaro ’27 (College of Visual and Performing Arts). Evne Lessons provides a platform for aspiring students to book private lessons with high quality music educators. Evne removes the barriers students face in finding and scheduling teachers that fit their musical goals. Co-founder Nate Dempsey said “We are extremely honored to receive the LaunchPad grant! The money will help Evne Lessons register with the state of New York, allowing us to start connecting music educators with students. We are thankful for the guidance of LaunchPad Director Traci Geisler and attorney David Reed for their help to make Evne Lessons a reality.”
Start-Up Fund Grants are awarded on a rolling basis to undergraduate and graduate students who need help moving an idea from concept to commercialization. Applications must specifically define the need for identified outcomes to be achieved within a set time. The fund is possible because of generous donors like Library Advisory Board members Jeffrey Rich ’67 and Yvonne Hyland.