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About the AllianceForty years of building the Long Island economy.
LICA encourages economic development on Long Island by helping companies raise capital, from early stage to mature, middle market, closely held, and publicly traded businesses.
Where Long Island companies find capital.
Good investment opportunities are hard to find, and so are experienced, honest investors. LICA closes that gap for the companies and capital that call Long Island home.
We work through education, networking, industry capital forums, special educational meetings, and alliances with other regional organizations. LICA serves as a focal point for the exchange of ideas among new and existing businesses, successful entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers, and has become the place to turn when small businesses need equity, debt, or other financing.
LICA is a non-profit organization run by a volunteer board. Our work would not be possible without our sponsors, who provide financial contributions and in-kind services.
What LICA does for each side of the table.
Seeking angel funding and venture capital
Our events are designed to facilitate venture capital investment and encourage economic development in the Northeast. Every business owner gets:
- Business networking in a comfortable, friendly environment
- Events focused on strategic advice to increase growth potential
- A medium for the exchange of innovative ideas
- A channel for locating venture capital and angel funding
Providing business funding
Individual investors, firms, and financial institutions meet small and mid-size companies with high growth potential, groomed for investment by LICA’s coaching. Investors see:
- More quality funding opportunities brought to them
- Lower cost of finding deals
- Less time spent finding quality investment opportunities
Four decades on Long Island.
- 1984
Founded as the Long Island Venture Group
Established by founders including the late Herman Fialkov, with a singular, independent mission: funding local companies and promoting local economic development.
- 1999
Capital forums launch local companies
FatWire Software credits its first major venture capital raise to presenting at the 1999 Long Island Capital Forum.
- 2005
LI/NY Metro Capital Forums
Each June from 2005 to 2007, regional forums put a dozen or more growth companies in front of investors.
- 2012
Industry-focused forums at RXR
LICA extends beyond traditional venture capitalists to private equity, financial advisors, and angels, and starts a series of industry-specific forums in Melville.
- 2014
30 years of capital formation
LICA celebrates its 30th anniversary, described at the time as the nation’s oldest venture capital group.
- 2015
Research partnerships
Forums with Brookhaven National Laboratory (technology transfer) and Stony Brook University (clean energy).
- 2016
Entrepreneur Educational & Mentoring Series
A series with NYIT teaching local entrepreneurs how to raise capital and improve operations.
- 2017
Strategic partnership with LISTnet
LICA and LISTnet partner to bring Long Island technology firms and investors together.
- 2018
First Cannabis Capital Forum
Michael A. Lane is appointed Chairman, and LICA launches its Cannabis Capital Forum and a summer internship program.
- 2023
Record attendance
The Cannabis Capital Forum sets an attendance record, with a fireside chat featuring the Chair of the NY Cannabis Control Board.
- 2025
AI and blockchain
LICA holds its first AI Technology Capital Forum and a Blockchain Summit at Adelphi University.
- 2026
Seed stage and a new president
The First Wave seed stage showcase debuts, the Cannabis Capital Forum partners with Jews in Weed, and Jill Scher becomes President.
Partners across the region.
LICA works alongside Long Island’s universities, labs, and business organizations.
LISTnet
Long Island’s technology network and a strategic partner since 2017.
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Co-host of the 2015 Technology Transfer Capital Forum.
Stony Brook University
Co-host of the 2015 Clean Energy Capital Forum.
NYIT
Host of the Entrepreneur Educational & Mentoring Series.
Island Harvest
Beneficiary of the 2024 Food Industry Capital Forum.
Adelphi University
Host of the 2025 Blockchain Summit and Social.
Jews in Weed
Co-presenter of the 2026 Cannabis Capital Forum and Bagel Bash.