Regional funding surpasses $6.5M, strengthening local entrepreneurship
SARANAC LAKE, NY (April 30, 2026) — Point Positive, Inc., the angel investment organization serving the Greater Adirondack region, has surpassed $6.5 million in private investments, fueled in part by continued support for Adirondack-based companies such as Birch Boys, Inc. The latest investment in the Tupper Lake company highlights the organization's growing role in supporting locally rooted businesses and strengthening the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
"Supporting entrepreneurs who are building companies rooted in the Adirondacks is at the heart of our mission," said Melinda Little, Point Positive Coordinator. "Birch Boys, Inc. is a great example of how early investment, mentorship, and community support can help a local startup grow into a thriving business with national reach."
Since its launch in 2014, Point Positive has vetted more than 88 ventures and financed 14 companies across industries including clean energy, technology, food systems, and natural products.
Birch Boys, Inc., founded by Clarkson University entrepreneur Garrett Kopp, sustainably harvests wild chaga and other functional mushrooms from Adirondack forests and produces teas, tinctures, extracts, and wellness products sold nationwide. Point Positive members first connected with the company through Clarkson University's entrepreneurship programs, providing early support that included a startup loan to purchase tea-bag manufacturing equipment, along with mentorship and business guidance.
Since then, Birch Boys has grown into a vertically integrated business with online sales, wholesale distribution, and a retail presence in the region. Investors have continued to support the company through multiple rounds of investment and advisory roles, helping grow sales and expand production while supporting sustainable harvesting across the Adirondacks.
The latest investment includes a $500,000 Series B preferred stock round to support Birch Boys' next phase of growth. A portion of the funding will be used to support an acquisition-driven growth strategy, alongside investments in digital sales and distribution capabilities, expanding its reach in national e-commerce marketplaces and improving fulfillment capacity to strengthen its omnichannel presence.
"Point Positive provided capital that would not have been attainable in the early startup days of my business, and that support was critical in helping us get off the ground. Beyond funding, they've brought meaningful mentorship, valuable relationships, and a strong network that has opened important doors along the way, said Garrett Kopp. "They've consistently encouraged me to think bigger while also offering thoughtful scrutiny during key phases of growth, which has made me a stronger founder and helped build a stronger business."
For more information:
Birch Boys Chaga: https://pointpositiveadk.com/our-portfolio/birch-boys-chaga
Birch Boys website: http://www.birchboys.com
Become a member investor: https://www.pointpositiveadk.com/member-investors
Entrepreneurs seeking investment: https://www.pointpositiveadk.com/entrepreneurs
Funded companies portfolio: https://www.pointpositiveadk.com/our-portfolio
General info: www.pointpositiveadk.com
###
