RECAP: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2ND ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Last week, over 200 guests from the New York startup, business and investment community attended Upstate Capital’s 2nd Annual Celebration at Arbor Loft in Rochester. The celebration showcases seed, venture and private-equity backed businesses and thriving industries across the state.
Keynote presentations were given by Tom Stewart, Executive Director of the National Center for the Middle Market and Sam Radocchia, Co-Founder of Chronicled.
Annual award winners were announced and celebrated for the following categories:
The Seed Investment of the Year award went to PostProcess Technologies. Based in Buffalo, the company provides automated post-printing solutions for additive manufacturing through integrated software, hardware, and eco-friendly chemistry processes. To date, PostProcess has raised $4 million in funding.
ACV Auctions took home the Venture Capital Deal of the Year award. In February, the company announced it had secured $31 million in Series C venture funding, bringing its total to $53 million. ACV is an online auto-auction site that streamlines the wholesale buying and selling process between dealerships. The company is headquartered in Buffalo.
Albany’s Etransmedia Technology won the award for Private Equity/Buyout of the Year. The company provides medical billing and healthcare software solutions and was acquired by Formativ Health in January of 2017 through a leveraged buyout (LBO).
Ambrell Induction Heating Solutions won the M&A Deal of the Year award. Headquartered in Scottsville, Ambrell was acquired by inTEST in May of 2017. Ambrell Corporation manufactures and markets induction heating systems for process and spotlight applications.
The New Fund of the Year award went to Impact Capital. Based in Pittsford, Impact Capital is a new Venture Capital Fund that is building a diversified portfolio of established, revenue-positive investments – focused on generating substantial long-term capital gains.
And finally, Rami Katz was named the Dealmaker of the Year. Rami is the Chief Operating Officer at Excell Partners in Rochester. Excell is a seed stage fund that invests in technologies emerging from communities and universities across upstate New York.
We want to wish a special congratulations to Tony Cotrupe, who was the winner of our charity drawing. We will be donating $100 to Tony’s charity of choice, Muddy’s Buddies.
Photography for the event was provided by Idena Beach Photography. Photos can be accessed and viewed here.
Thank you to everyone who attended for being a part of the success of this event that celebrated business growth and opportunity in Upstate New York.