Ironwood Capital

Ironwood Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Avon, Connecticut, specializing in providing growth capital solutions to middle-market businesses across North America. Established in 1985, the firm focuses on non-control investments in the form of subordinated debt and preferred stock, typically ranging from $2 million to $25 million, to support initiatives such as leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and generational transitions. Ironwood Capital targets companies with annual revenues between $20 million and $200 million, and it is particularly interested in businesses located in low- and moderate-income areas, as well as those that are women and minority-owned. The firm is sector agnostic but has a preference for investments in consumer products, healthcare, information technology, and environmental services. It seeks to partner with management teams, often taking a minority stake and acting as a sounding board for strategic decisions, while aiming to exit investments within three to five years. The firm also maintains offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Birmingham, Alabama.

James R. Barra

Partner

Jim Barra

Managing Director

Michael T. Benson

Director

Mike Benson

Senior Associate

Victor Budnick

Senior Managing Director

Kathy Butler

Marketing and Communications Director

Kimberly Craig

VP, Investment Operations

Adam Dotson

Senior Associate

Carolyn Galiette

President and Chief Investment Officer

Alex Levental

Partner

Zachary Luce

Partner and Chief Financial Officer

Zach Luce

Chief Financial Officer

Nihar Patel

Associate

Ryan Phalen

Senior Associate

Marc Reich

Founding Partner and Chairman

Roger J. Roche

Senior Managing Director

Trevor Russo

Senior Associate

Ellen D. Stotler

Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President, Investment Operations

John Strahley

Managing Director

Dickson Suit

Managing Director

Paul Witinski

Director

Past deals in Connecticut

Torigen Pharmaceuticals

Venture Round in 2022
Torigen Pharmaceuticals is a company focused on being at the forefront of immuno-oncology innovation. They strive to bring novel approaches to the market to tackle companion animal cancers, building on years of existing scientific research and pushing the boundaries of innovation.

P2 Science

Series C in 2020
P2 Science, Inc. is a bio-renewable chemistry company based in Woodbridge, Connecticut, that specializes in the development and production of specialty chemicals derived from renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oils. Founded in 2009 by a team that includes Yale scientists and industry experts, P2 Science focuses on creating high-value ingredients for various sectors, including flavors and fragrances, cosmetics, household and industrial cleaning, personal care, and agriculture. The company has developed innovative processes that allow for the production of vegetable-derived versions of fragrance ingredients traditionally sourced from petrochemicals. This shift towards renewable alternatives addresses the growing demand among major manufacturers to replace petrochemical ingredients with sustainable options. P2 Science operates a laboratory in New Haven, Connecticut, to advance its technology and collaborates with key partners throughout the supply chain to facilitate the commercialization of its products.

IsoPlexis

Series C in 2020
IsoPlexis Corp is a life sciences company based in Branford, Connecticut, that specializes in developing a diagnostic platform designed to measure cellular immune responses in patients. Founded in 2013, the company's technology focuses on single-cell detection, allowing for the identification of diverse immune responses at the individual cell level. This platform plays a crucial role in assessing the safety and efficacy of therapeutics, as well as monitoring disease progression. By providing detailed insights into immune responses, IsoPlexis aims to enhance therapeutic development and inform clinical decision-making for healthcare professionals.

Payveris

Series D in 2019
Payveris is the creator of The MoveMoney Platform, an Open API cloud-based platform that enables FIs to control, simplify + extend digital money movement capabilities to any application or device while lowering user experience friction, significantly reducing operating costs + future-proofing the IT investment. Shift from a product-centric digital payments model to a platform-centric model today!

IsoPlexis

Series C in 2019
IsoPlexis Corp is a life sciences company based in Branford, Connecticut, that specializes in developing a diagnostic platform designed to measure cellular immune responses in patients. Founded in 2013, the company's technology focuses on single-cell detection, allowing for the identification of diverse immune responses at the individual cell level. This platform plays a crucial role in assessing the safety and efficacy of therapeutics, as well as monitoring disease progression. By providing detailed insights into immune responses, IsoPlexis aims to enhance therapeutic development and inform clinical decision-making for healthcare professionals.

Capewell Aerial Systems

Private Equity Round in 2018
Capewell Aerial Systems LLC specializes in manufacturing engineered products for aerial delivery, life support, and tactical gear, serving military, law enforcement, and humanitarian agencies globally. Founded in 1881 and based in South Windsor, Connecticut, with an additional office in Virginia, the company provides a diverse range of equipment, including aerial delivery systems, parachute hardware, and search and rescue gear for organizations such as the U.S. Coast Guard and National Guard. Capewell’s product offerings also include emergency descent devices for safe crew egress, canine tactical products for military and law enforcement dogs, survival vests for helicopter transport crews, and precision timing devices for various applications. The company is committed to helping its customers conceive, engineer, prototype, manufacture, and field-test products that perform reliably in critical situations. Capewell Aerial Systems operates as a subsidiary of Capewell Components Company, LLC.

IsoPlexis

Series B in 2017
IsoPlexis Corp is a life sciences company based in Branford, Connecticut, that specializes in developing a diagnostic platform designed to measure cellular immune responses in patients. Founded in 2013, the company's technology focuses on single-cell detection, allowing for the identification of diverse immune responses at the individual cell level. This platform plays a crucial role in assessing the safety and efficacy of therapeutics, as well as monitoring disease progression. By providing detailed insights into immune responses, IsoPlexis aims to enhance therapeutic development and inform clinical decision-making for healthcare professionals.

P2 Science

Series B in 2017
P2 Science, Inc. is a bio-renewable chemistry company based in Woodbridge, Connecticut, that specializes in the development and production of specialty chemicals derived from renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oils. Founded in 2009 by a team that includes Yale scientists and industry experts, P2 Science focuses on creating high-value ingredients for various sectors, including flavors and fragrances, cosmetics, household and industrial cleaning, personal care, and agriculture. The company has developed innovative processes that allow for the production of vegetable-derived versions of fragrance ingredients traditionally sourced from petrochemicals. This shift towards renewable alternatives addresses the growing demand among major manufacturers to replace petrochemical ingredients with sustainable options. P2 Science operates a laboratory in New Haven, Connecticut, to advance its technology and collaborates with key partners throughout the supply chain to facilitate the commercialization of its products.

Precipio Diagnostics

Series B in 2013
Precipio is a cancer diagnostics reference laboratory, delivering the latest in advanced diagnostics and personalized medicine. Our goal is to assist oncologists in providing the best care for their patients. At the intersection of academia, cancer research, and diagnostics, we connect physicians with world-renown pathologists at the Yale School of Medicine. At Precipio, our customers and their patients benefit from the most accurate, expert diagnosis.

Payveris

Venture Round in 2013
Payveris is the creator of The MoveMoney Platform, an Open API cloud-based platform that enables FIs to control, simplify + extend digital money movement capabilities to any application or device while lowering user experience friction, significantly reducing operating costs + future-proofing the IT investment. Shift from a product-centric digital payments model to a platform-centric model today!

LiveClips

Venture Round in 2012
LiveClips is an innovator and leader in the development and delivery of video content from live sporting events to any Internet-enabled device. LiveClips is a game-changer. Its advanced technology automates the previously time- and labor-intensive processes of creating game clips and highlights, enabling broadcasters and rights holders to dramatically increase the efficiency of their sports coverage. LiveClips is also pioneering a new era of mobile engagement by creating instant in-game clips that users can filter by team, player and kind of play.

The Green Life Guides

Private Equity Round in 2011
The Green Life Guides, LLC operates an online site for wedding ideas, products, and services. Its products and services include business cards, live events, food and flowers, and service directory for vendors; products and gifts for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and holidays; living room furniture; table linens and flatware; appliances and electronics, baking, cleaning supplies, cookware, and cutting boards; baskets, rugs, candles and candle holders, centerpieces, curtains, and hardware; organization and storage products; blankets, quilts, duvets, sheets, mattresses, pillows, and accents; towels, bathroom accessories, rugs and mats, shower curtains, and personal care and beauty products; garden accessories, composters, and plants and seeds; and dog and cat supplies. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in New Haven, Connecticut.

NovaTract Surgical

Seed Round in 2011
NovaTract Surgical, Inc. is a medical device company focused on enhancing minimally invasive surgical practices. Founded in 2010 and based in Connecticut, the company develops innovative solutions such as NovaGrasp, a single-use laparoscopic grasper for tissue and organ retraction, and NovaTract, a dynamic retractor for various minimally invasive surgeries, including colorectal, urologic, gynecologic, and robotic-assisted procedures. NovaTract Surgical aims to address the growing fields of single-incision laparoscopic surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, providing advanced tools to improve surgical outcomes for healthcare institutions and surgeons.

Floop

Seed Round in 2011
Floop, Inc. operates as a mobile application that offers real time graphical interface. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Woodbridge, Connecticut.

FitLinxx

Venture Round in 2006
FitLinxx, Inc. specializes in wireless activity and health devices, software, and integrated data services aimed at promoting active and healthy lifestyles. The company offers a range of products, including the FitLinxx AmpStrip, a waterproof heart rate and activity tracker, and The Pebble+, an all-day activity monitor. Additionally, it provides a suite of services such as the Active Gateway API, wireless devices for weight and blood pressure monitoring, and FitLinxx SyncPoints for automatic data transmission. FitLinxx also features a fitness tracking website and mobile-friendly applications that facilitate workout tracking and communication between users and facility staff. Their products are utilized by healthcare professionals, insurers, employers, and individuals globally to enhance wellness programs, improve workforce health, and guide patients toward better health outcomes. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, FitLinxx was previously known as Integrated Fitness Corporation until it rebranded in 1999.