Melville, NY – May 19, 2025 – The Long Island Capital Alliance (“LICA”), Long Island’s leading non-profit capital formation and business development organization, today announced the appointment of Kyle Lawrence to its Board of Directors, effective May 2025. With this addition, LICA’s Board has grown to 14 members.
Kyle Lawrence, 46, is a Partner with the NY-based law firm Falcon Rappaport & Berman LLP (“FRB”) where he is part of the leadership team of FRB’s Corporate & Securities Practice Group and serves as Co-Chair of the Digital Assets Practice Group. His practice spans a wide range of corporate and securities matters, including mergers, acquisitions, private placements, joint ventures, corporate finance, licensing, and distribution arrangements. Mr. Lawrence regularly represents clients in industries such as telecommunications, food manufacturing, emerging technologies, retail, and software development. He also advises private issuers and principals on operations, compliance, and capital raising in securities transactions.“We are very pleased to welcome Kyle as the newest member of our Board,” said Michael Lane, Chairman of LICA. “He brings a diversified range of corporate and securities law representation, with a focus on the emerging area of digital currencies. These professional attributes are vital to business formation on Long Island and represent needed expertise as we continue to expand LICA’s regional presence and capabilities.”
Mr. Lawrence’s experience in the Digital Assets Practice Group includes advising companies on blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, and NFT matters, focusing on the intersection of corporate and securities laws with these emerging technologies. He assists companies in launching tokens and cryptocurrency, as well as structuring onshore and offshore ventures.Mr. Lawrence earned a JD degree from Hofstra University after graduating from Tulane University with a BA in Political Science and English. He resides in Merrick with his loving wife, Carolyn, and his dog, Holly.
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About Long Island Capital Alliance
Since 1984, the Long Island Capital Alliance (www.licapital.org), formerly known as Long Island Venture Group, has been promoting business growth on Long Island. LICA seeks to create a productive and business-friendly environment that will afford area businesses access to the resources necessary to compete successfully in today’s markets. LICA serves as a focal point for the exchange of ideas among new and existing business enterprises, successful entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers. Through quarterly capital forums and special meetings, LICA brings together members of the region’s business community and has been recognized as the place to turn to when small businesses need equity, debt, or other financing, or for investors to find an attractive investment opportunity.
LICA’s mission is to encourage economic development on Long Island by facilitating capital formation for a broad range of companies in various industries, from early stage to mature, middle market, closely held and publicly traded businesses. LICA accomplishes this primarily through education, networking, quarterly capital forums, periodic special educational meetings, and alliances with other regional organizations. LICA brings together members of the region’s business community and serves as the finance arm for significant local business and organizations.
The work of LICA in assisting dozens of local companies in raising over $150 million and providing business formation consultation would not be possible without the support of its sponsors. A total of 14 sponsors provide LICA, a non-profit organization, with financial contributions and in-kind services.
Our sponsors contribute significant time and effort to the success of LICA. Please support them! For more information on LICA sponsors and next events, please contact LICA today or register online at www.licapital.org.
Melville, NY – April 22, 2025 – The Long Island Capital Alliance (“LICA”), Long Island’s leading non-profit capital formation and business development organization, today announced that its AI Technology Capital Forum was held on Friday, April 4, 2024.
The event took place in Melville with networking and exhibition time for presenting companies and sponsors to showcase some of the region’s most innovative artificial intelligence (or “AI”) technologies and an ecosystem of service providers supporting the emerging industry. Company presentations and event activities facilitated a dynamic discussion on innovative AI breakthroughs and investment opportunities shaping the future of the technology space. LICA assembled a panel of investment community and business leaders to help explore the potential for AI technology.
“This was the first time LICA held an event focused on AI technologies and it was a resounding success,” said Michael A. Lane, Chairman of LICA. “An audience of nearly 100 regional AI technology innovators, investors, and business professionals gathered at our capital forum to embrace AI as it alters modern industry and everyday life. We are very pleased to be at the forefront of exploring and supporting the growth of this fascinating and rapidly emerging industry.”
The capital forum featured:
Presenting Companies
Key Note Speaker, Moderators and Investor/Industry Professional Panel
LICA hosted the AI Technology Capital Forum on Friday, April 4, 2025 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM Eastern at the RXR Center, 68 South Service Road, Melville, NY 11747. The capital forum provided an opportunity to meet capital providers, entrepreneurs, industry executives and businesses seeking capital, as well as to hear industry experts discuss financing alternatives for growth companies in the AI technology industry.
LICA’s mission is to encourage economic development on Long Island by facilitating capital formation for a broad range of companies in various industries, from early stage to mature, middle market, closely held and publicly-traded businesses. LICA accomplishes this primarily through education, networking, quarterly capital forums, periodic special educational meetings, and alliances with other regional organizations. LICA brings together members of the region’s business community and serves as the finance arm for significant local business and organizations.
Melville, NY – January 8, 2025 – The Long Island Capital Alliance (“LICA”), Long Island’s leading non-profit capital formation and business development organization, today announced that its Food Industry Capital Forum and holiday celebration was held on December 9, 2024 to benefit Island Harvest.
The event took place at Great South Bay Brewing Company, one of Long Island’s premier breweries, with networking and exhibition time for presenting companies and sponsors, as well as unlimited food, wine and beer before and after a short program that showcased some of the region’s most innovative companies in the food industry. LICA assembled a panel of judges to present the Top Innovator Award. The award went to Compozure, a lifestyle concierge company.
“Our Food Industry Capital Forum was one of our most exciting events in our long history of supporting the local business community, and we congratulate Compozure on being recognized with the Top Innovator Award to cap off the evening,” said Michael A. Lane, Chairman of LICA. “Exciting things happen when the LICA community comes together. We look forward to assisting all of the presenting companies at our Capital Forum and many other innovative companies in various growth industries through our events and professional educations programs.”
“Thank you again for letting Compozure pitch and set up a table at the Food Industry Capital Forum last night. It was a fantastic event, and we appreciate your guidance and feedback. It was also wonderful to hear from such an experienced panel and connect with other startups. We are thrilled to have won the Top Innovator Award! We are looking forward to staying in touch and hopefully working together again in the future.” – Grace Wheeler, CEO of Compozure.
“Last night, I had the privilege of attending the Holiday Celebration and Food Industry Capital Forum hosted by the Long Island Capital Alliance in collaboration with Island Harvest Food Bank…A special thank you to Michael A. Lane (LICA Chairman) for inviting my partner, Jeremy Criss, and I following our LI PitchFest win this past November. As entrepreneurs, this was an invaluable opportunity to learn, connect, and engage with the Long Island Capital Alliance community.” -- Sakina Shaw, Attendee.
Adirondack Creamery: Ice cream as it should be…based on an old-fashioned recipe of cream, milk, sugar and eggs.
Compozure: A private lifestyle concierge, offering cheffing, personal assistance, interior design, personal styling, and travel organizing services.
Myles Comfort Food: Provides indulgent, clean label, protein packed comfort food.
Pleese® Plant-based Cheese: Created to deliver the most authentic cheese like experience without the side effects.
Purefetta™: A clean, gluten-free, top 9 allergen free, vegan, non-gmo, kosher fresh pasta, indistinguishable from pasta with semolina.
Seascape Aquatech: Engineering groundbreaking technology for an autonomous robotic oyster farm.
Key Note Speaker, Moderators and Investor Panel/Judges
Key Note Speaker: Brian Leidy, Chief Development Officer, Island Harvest
Moderator/Presenting Companies: George Likourezos, Partner, Carter, DeLuca & Farrell, LLP
Investor Panel Moderator: Jill Scher, Partner, CBIZ, Inc.
Investor Panel/Judge: Mark Elenowitz, CEO, Tripoint Capital Advisors
Investor Panel/Judge: Michael Lane, Entrepreneur, Investor, Advisor
Investor Panel/Judge: Gus Spathis, CEO of Xogito, Investor
LICA hosted the Food Industry Capital Forum on Monday, December 9, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Eastern at Great South Bay Brewing Company. The capital forum provided an opportunity to meet capital providers, entrepreneurs, industry executives and businesses seeking capital, as well as to hear industry experts discuss financing alternatives for growth companies in the food industry.
Our sponsors contribute significant time and effort to the success of LICA. Please support them! Formore information on LICA sponsors and next events, please contact LICA today or register online at www.licapital.org.
Melville, NY – February 1 2025 – The Long Island Capital Alliance (“LICA”), Long Island’s leading non-profit capital formation and business development organization, today announced the appointment of Pawneet Abramowski to its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2025. With this addition, LICA’s Board has growth to 13 members.
After a thriving career in many different sectors, Ms. Abramowski, a recognized Compliance and Risk Management Executive, established PARC Solutions LLC to provide expertise in business strategy development, repositioning products and services to align with regulatory standards, and devising an infrastructure framework to help companies keep innovation through its offering.
“We are delighted to welcome Pawneet as our latest Board member,” said Michael Lane, Chairman of LICA. “She brings a wealth of experience from a career as a founding entrepreneur to the boardroom with a concentration in business practices that are increasingly important in today’s evolving corporate climate, for emerging and mature companies alike. Her background in the risk, compliance and securities industries enable her to be a strong resource for the audit, risk, and compensation committees of the many businesses we support as part of LICA’s mission.”
As the CEO & Founder of management consulting and advisory firm PARC Solutions, Pawneet is a recognized trailblazer in the reg-tech sector. Pawneet utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing compliance accuracy, operational efficiency, and sustainability throughout all phases of business growth. She specializes in partnering with and advising-growth ventures, banks, and disruptors to formulate long-term business strategies that yield profitability and a sustainable competitive edge.
Since 2017, she has also been an Adjunct Professor of Law/Distinguished Lecturer at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Law. Pawneet continues to teach and train both public as well as private sector clients in the US and globally. Pawneet holds an MBA from Adelphi University Robert B. Willumstad School of Business and an MA in Government and Politics and BA in Public Administration from St. John’s University. Pawneet carries a global footprint as an expert speaker covering compliance/risk and is an avid traveler, lending a global perspective and appreciation of the local business market.
Melville, NY – June 1, 2024 – The Long Island Capital Alliance (“LICA”), Long Island’s leading non-profit capital formation and business development organization, today announced the appointment of Jill S. Scher to its Board of Directors, effective June 1, 2024. With this addition, LICA’s Board has expanded to 12 members.
“We are excited to welcome Jill Scher to the Board of the Long Island Capital Alliance,” said Michael A. Lane, Chairman of LICA. “She is known extensively throughout the middle market accounting and professional consulting services sector, and many of our other Board members have worked with her professionally for years. Now, we’ll be able to collaborate with her on a non-profit basis to help promote business growth on Long Island.”
Jill Scher, CPA, MS, has over 25 years of experience in both public and private accounting, working with businesses across diverse industries such as manufacturing, technology, cannabis, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and green energy. She specializes in tax consulting, transaction structuring, compliance, and representation. Jill is a sought-after speaker on topics like tax strategies, incentives, planning, and professional ethics.
Ms. Scher provides comprehensive guidance to start-up entities, from formation to fulfilling income tax filing obligations, ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and local requirements. She assists clients in implementing tax minimization and deferral strategies and identifying opportunities for tax incentive programs such as research & development and work opportunity tax credits. Her services also extend to advising foreign companies operating in the U.S. and domestic companies with overseas operations on the tax implications of potential transactions. She has successfully assisted numerous clients with IRS and State penalty abatements.
In her role at CBIZ, Inc. (and its predecessor Marcum LLP), Jill leads business development efforts, establishing new relationships and expanding business for the Accounting Services Group. She has built a strong network within the legal, insurance, investment, and consulting professions, leveraging their expertise as needed.
Jill also develops and teaches tax, technical, and professional ethics courses for CPE, Inc., NBI, and MyLawCLE, providing continuing education to CPAs and Attorneys nationally.
Jill is based out of CBIZ's Melville, NY office but serves clients nationally. Currently, she serves on the financial committee of the Tesla Science Center. She previously served as a Director on the Board of the Nassau Chapter of the New York State Society of CPAs. Jill earned her BS in Accounting and MS in Taxation from the State University of New York at Albany.
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Long Island Capital Alliance Breaks Attendance Record with 2023 Cannabis Capital Forum
The Most Anticipated Annual Cannabis Industry Event on Long Island Delivers Packed Audience & Unrivaled Investment and Networking Opportunities
Fireside Chat Featured Tremain S. Wright, Chair of NY Cannabis Control Board, and Senator Jeremy Cooney, Chair of NYS Senate Cannabis Subcommittee
Melville, NY – December 20, 2023 – The Long Island Capital Alliance (“LICA”), Long Island’s leading non-profit capital formation and business development organization, today announced that its annual Cannabis Capital Forum held on December 8, 2023 set a record for attendance, with keynote speakers, presenting companies and investor and industry panelists providing engaging insights for regional investment and business community event participants.
Congratulating LICA and its Cannabis Event coordinators, Tessa E. Williams of Empire Farms, a presenting company, said, “[We are] tremendously grateful to each of you for your time, guidance and support.” Ms. Williams is an author, school food activist, entrepreneur, cannabis farmer and founder of the FarmOn! Foundation, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization and public charity. Her woman owned and led cannabis company, Empire Farms, holds a NYS Adult Use Cultivation License and long term lease at Empire Farm, NY.
“After presenting my pitch at the LICA Cannabis Capital Forum, I received praise and interest from fellow presenters, signaling that the pitch went well,” said Roger Thomas, Co-Founder and COO of Mello Tymes LLC, a presenting company. “I particularly enjoyed the networking opportunities at the event; it allowed me to connect with industry experts and like-minded individuals, which was not only informative but also a great chance to build valuable relationships.” Mello Tymes is a minority and returning citizen owned cannabis brand.
Michael Lane, LICA’s Chairman, said, “Great things happen when we bring our community together! The presenters were well coached and enthusiastically told the story of their companies.”
Fireside Chat Speakers
Moderators
Investor Panel:
LICA hosted the Cannabis Capital Forum on Friday, December 8, 2023, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM Eastern at the RXR Center, 68 South Service Road, Melville, NY, 11747. The capital forum provided an opportunity to meet capital providers, entrepreneurs, industry executives and businesses seeking capital, as well as to hear industry experts discuss financing alternatives for the emerging cannabis industry.
Since 1984, the Long Island Capital Alliance (www.licapital.org), formerly known as Long Island Venture Group, has been promoting business growth on Long Island. LICA seeks to create a productive and business-friendly environment that will afford area businesses access to the resources necessary to compete successfully in today’s markets. LICA serves as a focal point for the exchange of ideas among new and existing business enterprises, successful entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers. Through quarterly capital forums and special meetings, LICA brings together members of the region's business community, and has been recognized as the place to turn to when small businesses need equity, debt, or other financing, or for investors to find an attractive investment opportunity.
Our sponsors contribute considerable time and effort to the success of LICA. Please support them! For more information on LICA sponsors and next events, please contact LICA today or register online at www.licapital.org.
Contact:
Jordan Darrow
Darrow Associates, Inc.
jdarrow@darrowir.com
631-766-4528
LICA Capital Forum Cannabis December 2023 - press release - final - 120523.pdf
In August of this year, the SEC "modernized" its Accredited Investor definition - one of the key eligibility requirements to participate in private capital markets. The SEC broadened its definition to provide greater access to capital for startup businesses and expanding investment opportunities for qualified investors.
Newsday reached out to Michael Lane to draw on his vast business experience to offer insight into what this rule change means for aspiring investors and startup businesses working to raise capital.
Click here to read the full article!
The Center of Excellence Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) at Stony Brook University is hosting its 16th international conference in an effort to build the bridge between Academia and Industry.
The conference will center on the four major fields which are penetrating our business and personal lives: Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Computational Medicine.
CEWIT has been organizing this annual international conference since 2003 with a repertoire that has expanded significantly over the years. We have recruited renowned speakers, presenters, and panelists from industry, academia, and government, all for an international audience ready to network.
Newsweek published a discussion about the challenges of raising capital through COVID-19 featuring Long Island Capital Alliance Chairman, Michael Lane. Click here to read the full article!
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