Matthew Pelkey is a partner with Colligan Law LLP--a law firm focsued on providing legal services to entrepreneurs and cutting-edge business. Matthew's practice relates primarily to counseling startups, entrepreneurs and businesses on entity structures, transactions, and financings. He also devotes a significant amount of his practice to commercial real estate, land use and regulatory compliance.

Matthew is an active member of the Western New York startup ecosystem. He is a correspondent and author for Upstate Venture Connect,  co-founded the monthly #LaunchHour entrepreneur twitter chat in partnership with Launch NY, and serves as a member of the 43North #WemakeBuffalo Team. In the fall he will be teaching Startup Law at the University at Buffalo Law School. He was also a co-founder and co-director of the Buffalo chapter of Startup Grind.

Until recently Matthew served on the advisory board of the ECIDA Venture Capital Fund (Bridge Capital Fund), a board responsible for making recommendations to the ECIDA Board of Directors on how to form and operate a ten year, $7-10MM early stage venture fund focusing on local emerging companies with high growth potential. Matthew is a co-founder and member Black Squirrel Distillery.

Outside of the startup community Matthew is also a strong advocate for sustainable community development where he serves on several boards and committees for local nonprofits dedicated to regeneration of Western New York

Education:

J.D., cum laude, University at Buffalo Law School, 2010, finance transactions concentration

B.A., University at Buffalo, 2007, public law concentration with independent study in fair housing