Excell Partners

Excell Partners is a venture capital firm established in 2005 and based in Rochester, New York. It operates as a seed fund supported by New York State and focuses on making investments in seed and early-stage companies across various sectors, including medical devices, materials, energy, biotechnology, ag-tech, imaging, information technology, and software. Although Excell is a not-for-profit organization, it employs a for-profit approach by structuring investments with convertible debt and equity returns. This strategy aims to ensure that the fund becomes self-sustaining over time, allowing it to continue supporting innovative startups and fostering economic growth. Excell Technology Ventures is a related entity that extends the firm's investment capabilities.

Chavez Carter Ph.D

Venture Analyst

Junning Chai

Venture Analyst

David Distant

Venture Analyst

Rami Katz

COO

Alan Z. Lee

Director of Investment and Finance

Theresa B. Mazzullo

CEO

35 past transactions

OWL Autonomous Imaging

Series A in 2022
Owl Autonomous Imaging, Inc. is a technology company based in Fairport, New York, founded in 2018. The company specializes in developing advanced imaging solutions, including a two-color infrared camera for the US Air Force and a 4D-camera that integrates 1550nm Flash-LiDAR and thermal imaging within a single solid-state megapixel focal plane. These innovations are aimed at enhancing safety in the automotive mobility sector, particularly for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. Their proprietary Monocular 3D Thermal Ranging™ technology employs optical fusion and deep learning techniques to generate dense range maps from heat signatures without the need for additional illumination. Co-founder Chuck Gershman brings over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, having held leadership roles in multiple startups, three of which he led to successful acquisitions.

RealEats

Series A in 2021
RealEats is a food tech company specializing in premium meal prep delivery services that focus on providing healthy, convenient meals. The company emphasizes reducing food waste by offering chef-designed meals made from whole, unprocessed ingredients sourced responsibly, often from local farms in New York's Finger Lakes region. RealEats delivers these nutritionally rich meals directly to consumers in single portion sizes, using vacuum-packed packages to ensure freshness. By prioritizing quality and sustainability, RealEats aims to simplify the process of enjoying nutritious, homemade meals for its customers.

Casana

Seed Round in 2020
Casana is a healthcare technology company focused on heart health monitoring. It has developed the Heart Seat, an innovative product that integrates a toilet seat with a cardiovascular monitoring system. This device allows patients to conveniently track essential heart health metrics such as heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, ECG, and blood oxygenation from the comfort of their homes. The Heart Seat operates on a cloud-connected platform, enabling seamless data capture and analysis. Founded in 2018 and based in Rochester, New York, Casana aims to enhance heart health monitoring by providing a user-friendly solution that minimizes the need for active patient engagement.

WexEnergy

Pre Seed Round in 2020
WexEnergy LLC, founded in 2018 and located in Rochester, New York, specializes in enhancing the energy efficiency of single-pane and double-pane windows. The company offers a solution that improves single-pane window energy efficiency by 49% and double-pane efficiency by 23%, all at less than 15% of the cost of window replacement. WexEnergy sells its products both business-to-business, targeting landlords looking to upgrade rental property windows, and business-to-consumer through e-commerce and direct sales. The company's innovative WindoWare™ technology ensures a custom fit by taking precise window measurements with a single digital photo, thus streamlining the installation process.

VPG Medical

Seed Round in 2020
VPG Medical Inc. is a digital health service company based in Rochester, New York, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing innovative monitoring solutions utilizing video-based sensors embedded in smart devices and personal computers. Its primary product, CardioGuard, is a cardiac monitoring technology designed to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of various health conditions, including congestive heart failure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, sleep apnea, obesity, and stroke. By enabling continuous health monitoring in everyday settings, VPG Medical aims to enhance patient outcomes through improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, ensuring that individuals can stay informed about their cardiac health.

Soos

Venture Round in 2020
N.R Soos Technology Ltd develops an incubation technology. It controls the sex-development process in poultry embryos and changes genetic male embryos into functional female chickens capable of laying eggs. The company’s AI-guided hatching system controls environmental conditions during incubation stage, and is able to affect the reproductive system development process in poultry embryos. N.R Soos Technology Ltd was founded in 2017 and is based in Beersheba, Israel.

EkoStinger

Venture Round in 2019
EkoStinger, Inc. is a manufacturer of aerodynamic trailer systems based in East Rochester, New York. Founded in 1999, the company specializes in producing EkoStinger, an aerodynamic after-treatment product designed for both dry and refrigerated trailers. These devices aim to optimize fuel efficiency in various driving conditions while also protecting airlines and suspension systems. EkoStinger provides an effective alternative to conventional side skirts, which often underperform and present challenges in the transportation industry. The company's products are distributed through a network of distributors, ensuring accessibility to a wide range of customers.

Rialto Markets

Seed Round in 2019
Rialto Markets is a New York-based company that specializes in providing trading solutions for institutional traders in the fixed income market. The company operates a trading platform that offers tools for anonymous sourcing and execution of fixed income trades. Its primary products include BondCross, which allows traders to upload portfolios across various fixed income asset classes, and the Liquidity Portal, a real-time search engine designed to identify alternative and replacement liquidity options based on customized parameters. The combination of BondCross and the Liquidity Portal enables clients to place block orders anonymously and to connect with suitable counterparties while maintaining confidentiality regarding trade details. Through its innovative tools, Rialto Markets aims to enhance trading efficiency and liquidity sourcing for its clients.

Kinvolved

Seed Round in 2018
Kinvolved, Inc. is a developer of mobile and web applications focused on enhancing communication between schools and families to improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism. Their flagship application, KiNVO, facilitates messaging between educators and parents, covering topics such as attendance, behavior, grades, and school updates. The platform allows users to send messages to entire classrooms or individual parents, track attendance and communication trends, and identify students with chronic absenteeism. Kinvolved's solutions are tailored for district leaders, school principals, teachers, and parents, particularly in underserved communities across the United States. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, Kinvolved aims to create more economically viable communities and promote higher graduation rates through its comprehensive communication tools and community engagement initiatives.

Humonix Biosciences

Seed Round in 2018
Humonix Biosciences is a biotechnology company focused on reducing the cost of ophthalmic drug development through innovative platform technology. Established in 2014 and based in Albany, New York, the company offers a comprehensive range of services including drug screening and discovery, dose response analysis, biological and physiological assessments, as well as safety and toxicity evaluations. Utilizing a 3D tissue system, Humonix aims to provide physiologically relevant data that enhances the drug development process, helping to identify and validate effective compounds and biologics. This technology supports clients in accelerating their drug development efforts, ultimately increasing confidence in the success of clinical trials.

WexEnergy

Seed Round in 2018
WexEnergy LLC, founded in 2018 and located in Rochester, New York, specializes in enhancing the energy efficiency of single-pane and double-pane windows. The company offers a solution that improves single-pane window energy efficiency by 49% and double-pane efficiency by 23%, all at less than 15% of the cost of window replacement. WexEnergy sells its products both business-to-business, targeting landlords looking to upgrade rental property windows, and business-to-consumer through e-commerce and direct sales. The company's innovative WindoWare™ technology ensures a custom fit by taking precise window measurements with a single digital photo, thus streamlining the installation process.

GRYT Health

Seed Round in 2018
GRYT Health is an award-winning, mobile app-based social community founded by cancer survivors and caregivers who wanted to create a more human approach to helping people live on their own terms. PURPOSE: Through the GRYT app, we’ve created a platform for people affected by cancer to connect to others with similar experiences, and to tailored information that helps our users become more aware of options specific to their needs or diagnosis – empowering them to make choices that are right for them. MISSION: Information is not a luxury, but an undeniable right to patients. Our mission is help provide patients, survivors, and caregivers achieve personal triumph by providing the information and human connections that empower them to make choices that are right for them - based on their personal values and lifestyles. VALUES: GRYT’s core values are Authenticity, Community, and Relentlessness. These are non-negotiables that keep the GRYT company in check with ourselves. Acceptance and agreement to these integral words are a must for every GRYT Partner that agrees to collaborate with us. Read our GRYT Principles – these are the standards that guide our growth and help us determine appropriate partners for our community. CULTURE: The GRYT community promotes a culture of inclusion and equality, where everyone is respected for the experience they bring, where authenticity and openness are revered, and where our collective voice and choice matter. Our team and the GRYT community are authentic and relentless, and together, we are working to make sure no one ever has to suffer this journey alone. We encourage anyone affected by cancer to download the GRYT app to see how our community can help you live life on your terms. Search for “G-R-Y-T” to download the app from the iTunes App Store and Google Play store.

TenCar

Seed Round in 2017
Tencar develops ostomy appliances for active-lifestyle colostomy and ileostomy patients. The Choice Cap System provides patients with a “double flanged” attachment method, which includes a lightweight, airtight, molded waterproof cap to be worn with or without the traditional soft inner pouch. This added protective barrier offers greater resilience to motion and activity, giving the wearer protection against leakage and escaped odors that are common in everyday activities. The result is increased confidence, self-esteem, body image and quality-of-life, everyday, for the nearly 1M ostomy patients in the US alone.

Diligence Lab

Seed Round in 2017
Developer of a talent management platform designed to deliver talent-free from unconscious bias to enterprises, individuals, corporations and government agencies. The company's platform uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology by mining information from global databases, social media networks, and the Dark Web, enabling students to find jobs that would be a perfect fit for their profile and employers to find pre-assessed candidates which fit the company's culture.

SelfArray, Inc.

Seed Round in 2017
LED Tech

Sanabit Technologies

Seed Round in 2017
Developer of a non-invasive medical technology designed to improve healthcare through accelerated wound and bone healing. The company's medical device technology uses safe levels of magnetic fields to stimulate the efficiency of the mitochondria for accelerated wound healing, enabling patients to stimulate the body's natural mechanisms.

Viggi Kids

Venture Round in 2017
Viggi Kids, Corp. designs and manufactures chairs for kids. Its products include Vidget chair, a three-in-one model that transforms from a chair into a desk or stool by turning it over; and Digit Widgit, a learning tool that enables children to learn about numbers, additions, and more. The company’s Vidget chair is used in classrooms, resource rooms, home playrooms, occupational and physical therapy, daycare centers, children's hospitals, pediatric offices, and libraries. It also sells its products online. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Fairport, New York.

Conamix

Seed Round in 2016
Conamix is commercializing new low-cost high-energy materials for the global lithium ion battery market. The company’s materials are designed to drop-in to existing manufacturing infrastructure to both improve the energy density and lower the cost of lithium ion systems. Founded in 2014, the company is led by an experienced team of chemical and battery industry leaders and has intellectual property agreements with multiple leading global research institutions

Traverse Biosciences

Seed Round in 2016
Traverse Biosciences, Inc. is a bioscience company based in Stony Brook, New York, specializing in the development of drug candidates for inflammatory diseases and age-related conditions in humans and companion animals. Founded in 2013, the company is focused on commercializing a proprietary library of molecular entities developed at Stony Brook University. Its lead product, TRB-N0224, aims to be the first FDA-approved, once-daily prescription medication for the prevention and control of canine periodontal disease, working by modulating elevated matrix metalloproteinases and pro-inflammatory mediators to resolve inflammation. In addition to TRB-N0224, Traverse is exploring complementary therapeutic indications and other drug candidates that have potential applications in both veterinary and human medicine, thereby addressing a critical gap in treatment options for inflammatory conditions.

Sensor Films

Venture Round in 2016
Sensor Films Inc. specializes in digital manufacturing processes with a focus on additive manufacturing solutions for the electronics industry. The company has developed the Starlight Digital Manufacturing Platform, which utilizes inkjet deposition technology to create decorative and functional materials. This platform facilitates rapid and low-cost prototyping, as well as efficient high-volume production, particularly in specialty graphics and printable electronics. By providing integrated pre- and post-printing processes, Sensor Films enhances the manufacturing workflow, resulting in significant time and cost savings. Their systems enable customers to produce electronic product assemblies for a broad range of consumer and industrial applications, promoting faster product development and shorter time to market.

GiveGab

Seed Round in 2015
GiveGab is a company that offers an online fundraising and crowdfunding platform tailored for nonprofit organizations, community foundations, and educational institutions. Founded in 2011 and based in Ithaca, New York, GiveGab provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to facilitate online fundraising efforts. Its platform enhances the connection between nonprofits, volunteers, and fundraisers, allowing clients to effectively promote their programs and events while also recruiting volunteers. Through its focus on community giving and peer-to-peer fundraising, GiveGab supports organizations in their efforts to raise money and foster relationships within their communities.

Pharmapotheca A

Seed Round in 2015
Pharmapotheca A, LLC, established in 2014 and located in Delmar, New York, focuses on the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical drugs and technologies specifically aimed at treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults. The company employs novel chemistries to address complex organic synthesis challenges and utilizes advanced analytical methods to create effective treatment options. In addition to its core focus on ADHD, Pharmapotheca A also offers technology development and consulting services across various sectors, including pharmaceutical, veterinary, cosmetic, agrochemical, nutritional, and flavor and fragrance industries. Through its commitment to advancing healthcare solutions, Pharmapotheca A aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by ADHD.

Molecular Glasses

Seed Round in 2015
Molecular Glasses, Inc. focuses on non-crystallized molecular glasses for stable and long lived OLED and other organic electronics. It develops hole-transporting, electron-transporting, ambipolar, fluorescent, phosphorescent, cross linkable, water/alcohol soluble, green solvent soluble, vacuum-coatable, and solution-coatable products. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Rochester, New York.

Augmate

Seed Round in 2014
Augmate Corporation is a New York-based company that develops an enterprise platform for managing industrial smart eyewear applications tailored for deskless workers. Established in 2013, Augmate offers a comprehensive IoT and wearable device management platform that facilitates the creation and deployment of cloud-based applications across various industries, including agriculture, automotive, aviation, construction, manufacturing, medical, and pharmaceuticals. The platform integrates advanced technologies such as IoT, blockchain, and AI, enabling organizations to securely manage and connect their wearable devices. Augmate's InnoVision program allows businesses to evaluate and pilot wearable technology in workplace settings, while its platform supports features like remote device management and secure data distribution, enhancing productivity and safety across the workforce. The company collaborates with notable hardware partners, including Google Glass and Vuzix, to deliver tailored solutions that optimize operational efficiency.

Yorango

Seed Round in 2014
Yorango is developing a comprehensive real estate platform making rental simple.

StrongArm Tech

Seed Round in 2013
StrongArm Technologies, Inc. is a safety science company that specializes in developing data collection and assessment solutions aimed at enhancing the safety of industrial workers. The company offers a risk monitoring device that utilizes machine learning to analyze risks related to musculoskeletal injuries, along with the FUSE Risk Management Platform, a cloud-based IoT-enabled software that leverages motion-interpreting sensors for real-time monitoring and assessment. Additionally, StrongArm provides a posture feedback system designed to assist industrial workers with proper lifting mechanics and postural support. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, StrongArm Technologies focuses on improving workplace safety through innovative technology.

GiveGab

Seed Round in 2013
GiveGab is a company that offers an online fundraising and crowdfunding platform tailored for nonprofit organizations, community foundations, and educational institutions. Founded in 2011 and based in Ithaca, New York, GiveGab provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to facilitate online fundraising efforts. Its platform enhances the connection between nonprofits, volunteers, and fundraisers, allowing clients to effectively promote their programs and events while also recruiting volunteers. Through its focus on community giving and peer-to-peer fundraising, GiveGab supports organizations in their efforts to raise money and foster relationships within their communities.

GiveGab

Seed Round in 2013
GiveGab is a company that offers an online fundraising and crowdfunding platform tailored for nonprofit organizations, community foundations, and educational institutions. Founded in 2011 and based in Ithaca, New York, GiveGab provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to facilitate online fundraising efforts. Its platform enhances the connection between nonprofits, volunteers, and fundraisers, allowing clients to effectively promote their programs and events while also recruiting volunteers. Through its focus on community giving and peer-to-peer fundraising, GiveGab supports organizations in their efforts to raise money and foster relationships within their communities.

Yorango

Seed Round in 2012
Yorango is developing a comprehensive real estate platform making rental simple.

Graphenix Development

Seed Round in 2012
Graphenix Development.(“GDI”), founded in 2009, is a leader in graphenic dispersions, coatings, and high value applications. GDI's core competitive advantage is product oriented chemistry. GDI produces "Graphenic Intermediate Dispersion Systems" under their product line GRIDS(TM). GDI has developed a conductive ink with IIMAK, that was launched globally in Q1 2013. GDi will continue to develop new products with current and new partners.

e2e Materials

Series A in 2010
e2e Materials, Inc. specializes in the design, development, and production of biocomposite materials primarily for the furniture and cabinetry sectors. Founded in 2006 and based in Ithaca, New York, the company utilizes soy flour and natural grass fibers like jute, flax, and kenaf to create innovative composites that outperform traditional wood products. These materials are biodegradable, fire retardant, and significantly stronger than conventional composites, providing an environmentally friendly alternative that supports sustainability. e2e Materials serves a global customer base through distribution partners, contributing to the reduction of operational costs and enhancing manufacturing efficiency. The company's approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also fosters job creation across agriculture, manufacturing, and technology sectors.

AndroBioSys

Venture Round in 2009
AndroBioSys, Inc. (ABS), is a biotechnology company dedicated to the development of novel treatments for prostate disease. Based on technologies developed at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, AndroBioSys is pioneering new approaches to make treatment of prostate cancer curative, not palliative. Preventing progression of prostate disease is intertwined intimately with disruption of the androgen axis. ABS performs contract research screening services for academic, biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients and develops collaborative partnerships to discover new drugs to proprietary prostate disease targets.

Cerion Technology

Series A in 2007
Cerion Technology produces diesel and power products.

TetraGenetics

Seed Round in 2007
TetraGenetics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutic proteins and vaccines for the biopharmaceutical industry. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Arlington, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary TetraExpress system to produce recombinant human ion channel proteins and other complex proteins. TetraGenetics offers products such as IchVax, a recombinant subunit vaccine aimed at preventing white-spot disease in freshwater fish. The company's platform leverages the protist Tetrahymena thermophila to efficiently generate properly folded, functional transmembrane proteins, which are often difficult to express using traditional methods. This technology supports the development of vaccine antigens, monoclonal antibodies, and therapeutic proteins for both human and animal health. Additionally, TetraGenetics has formed a strategic research and development collaboration with Imbrium Therapeutics L.P. to further enhance its offerings in the field of autoimmune diseases and pain management.

TetraGenetics

Seed Round in 2005
TetraGenetics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutic proteins and vaccines for the biopharmaceutical industry. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Arlington, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary TetraExpress system to produce recombinant human ion channel proteins and other complex proteins. TetraGenetics offers products such as IchVax, a recombinant subunit vaccine aimed at preventing white-spot disease in freshwater fish. The company's platform leverages the protist Tetrahymena thermophila to efficiently generate properly folded, functional transmembrane proteins, which are often difficult to express using traditional methods. This technology supports the development of vaccine antigens, monoclonal antibodies, and therapeutic proteins for both human and animal health. Additionally, TetraGenetics has formed a strategic research and development collaboration with Imbrium Therapeutics L.P. to further enhance its offerings in the field of autoimmune diseases and pain management.
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