Deals, News & Events for the Upstate Capital Investment Community
UPSTATE CAPITAL NEWS
CEO STORY: INFIUSS HEALTH
Join Melissa Bime, CEO of Infiuss Health, in conversation with Maura Devlin, 43North’s VP of Marketing Strategy and PR, about scaling Buffalo-based Infiuss with Upstate NY resources and partners. The talk will take place on March 3 at Upstate Capital’s Invest NY: Health event in Buffalo and online.
VENTURE + GROWTH
OWL AUTONOMOUS IMAGING
RAISES $15M
Owl Autonomous Imaging, a startup developing thermal imaging and ranging technology, has raised $15M in Series A funding to help it pursue applications in automotive safety systems. Upstate Capital member Luminate NY Accelerator, an incubator for small photonics companies, is among the backers. Rochester-based Owl won $100,000 in 2021’s Luminate NY accelerator program.
BLUE HIGHWAY CAPITAL INVESTS IN
PTP INDUSTRIES
Upstate Capital member Blue Highway Capital, a growth equity firm dedicated to supporting growing businesses in rural America, has invested in Promise to Perform Industries, a manufacturer of industrial crane and fall protection systems and hoists. The business was acquired from its founding family, securing growth capital from Blue Highway.
GREEN PROJECT CLOSES OVER $1.8M IN SEED FUNDING
Green Project Technologies, a SaaS-based ESG accounting platform serving private markets and supply chains, has raised over $1.8M in its seed financing round. The round was led by Brooklyn-based investment firm Blue Collective. Jack McGowan, Director at the WNY Venture Association and an Upstate Capital member, took part in the deal.
CASANA RAISES ANOTHER $30M IN FUNDING
Casana, a Rochester-based health care tech firm, has raised a total of $46 million in capital, with $30 million coming from a recent Series B funding round. Launch NY and Excell Partners, both Upstate Capital members, had participated in Casana’s seed and Series A rounds. Casana plans to use the money for further development of the firm’s Heart Seat, a cuffless blood pressure monitor built into a toilet seat.
PRIVATE EQUITY + M&A
EWASTE+ ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC EQUITY INVESTMENT DEAL
EWASTE+, a provider of IT Asset Disposition and Electronics Recycling Services, announced a strategic equity investment by Sidereal Capital Group, a private equity firm. Upstate Capital member organization, Paramax, advised on the deal. EWASTE+ has facilities in Rochester, Albany and NYC. The company has diverted over 200 million pounds of electronic waste from disposal in landfills.
GENTECH SCIENTIFIC ACQUIRES CONQUER SCIENTIFIC
Lakelet Capital, a Buffalo-based private equity firm that invests in lower middle market companies, has led the strategic merge of GenTech Scientific and Conquer Scientific. Randy Bianchi, Lakelet’s managing partner and Upstate Capital board member, said, “Having the opportunity to combine two great companies is rewarding, particularly when both companies have proven leadership, shared core values and celebrate tenured and happy clients.”
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MORE NEWS
September 25, 2026
Where Deals, Capital and CEOs Connect: Highlights from the 2026 Buffalo Private Equity Summit
Investors, business owners, executives and advisors gathered in Buffalo on September 22 and 23 for Upstate Capital’s 2026 Buffalo Private Equity Summit. Held at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship and The Westin Buffalo, the two-day event brought practical conversations about growth, ownership, investment and technology together with opportunities to build relationships across New […]
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August 10, 2026
Upstate Capital Welcomes Molly Hugar to Board of Directors
Upstate Capital is pleased to welcome Molly Daetsch Hugar, Commercial Leader at KeyBank, to our Board of Directors. Molly brings nearly two decades of experience in commercial banking, along with a deep understanding of the businesses, industries, and relationships that drive economic growth across Upstate New York. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with companies […]
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August 3, 2026
Raining with Opportunity: Highlights from the 2026 Saratoga Forum
Despite the rain, the 2026 Saratoga Forum delivered exactly what its theme promised: opportunity. Investors, business owners, founders, advisers and economic-development leaders gathered in Saratoga Springs on July 29 and 30 for two days of candid conversations, meaningful introductions and new opportunities to support the companies and communities shaping Upstate New York. The Saratoga Forum […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Keynote: Ed Mitzen on Entrepreneurship, Impact & What Comes Next
The 2026 Venture NY keynote speaker, Ed Mitzen, shared an honest and energizing perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership and the rapidly changing future of work. A serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and co-founder of the Business for Good Foundation, Mitzen reflected on building multiple successful companies, including Fingerpaint Group, while emphasizing that resilience, people-first leadership and purpose-driven work […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: What’s Next? Opportunities for Founders Across New York
The panel “What’s Next? Opportunities for Founders Across New York” at this year’s Venture NY explored the growing network of accelerators, competitions and support programs helping startups move from early ideas to scalable businesses across New York State. Featuring Seth Mulligan, Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration at Griffiss Institute; Patty Rechberger, Innovation Fund […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: From Lab to Market — Scaling NY Innovation
At the 2026 Venture NY event, the panel “From Lab to Market — Scaling NY Innovation” explored the realities of transforming breakthrough research into scalable companies across New York’s innovation ecosystem. Moderated by Paul Tolley, CTO of Excell Partners, the discussion featured Dr. Marek W. Kowarz, Founder of MicroAdventure Technologies, and Nick Conn, Founder and […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: What Makes an AI Company Investable? Data Strategy, Risk & Valuation
One of the panel discussions at this year’s Venture NY explored what separates truly investable AI companies from those simply riding the hype cycle. Moderated by Kate Polozie, Partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman, and featuring Somak Chattopadhyay, Managing Director at Armory Square Ventures, the panel “What Makes an AI Company Investable? Data Strategy, Risk & […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: Where Are the Returns Now? From Hype to Healthy Outcomes
During our annual Venture NY event, the panel “Where Are the Returns Now? From Hype to Healthy Outcomes” explored how today’s venture environment is shifting toward disciplined growth, capital efficiency and long-term value creation. Moderated by Chris Rodi, Partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, the discussion featured David Brown, Managing Director at Impellent Ventures and […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: How Are Investors Really Deploying Capital Right Now?
As part of Venture NY 2026, the panel “How Are Investors Really Deploying Capital Right Now? Inside the 2026 Playbook” brought together venture leaders from across fund types to discuss how today’s investment landscape is shifting from hype-driven growth to disciplined, traction-focused investing. Moderated by Flossie Hall, Director of Operations at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, […]
Read More May 26, 2026
2024 NYBPC Grand Prize Winners Eutrobac Acquired by Agriment Services, Inc.
In the spring of 2024, Ellie Sangree and Jesse Wexler, co-founders of Eutrobac, stood in front of judges at the University at Albany and won the New York Business Plan Competition Grand Prize. They walked away with $25,000 and set to work building an IP portfolio, raising capital, developing the product and forging the connections […]
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