From business incubator to market: Four startups graduate from Venture Creations

Agri-Trak founder and CEO Jamie Sonneville returned to Rochester from Manhattan just in time to celebrate the graduation of her startup company from the Venture Creations business incubator. Sonneville, whose company just surpassed $1 million in funding, was in Times Square for the unveiling of a billboard with her likeness over the NASDAQ building.

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Elizabeth Lamark

Chuck Gershman, founder and CEO of former Venture Creations company OWL-AI, delivers the keynote address.

“I come from a long line of farmers, but I never thought I would be here today when I started my business,” said Sonneville, whose agriculture data-tracking software helps farmers maximize output. “But, through my experiences and the coaching and feedback that I have received from Venture Creations, I can say that I’ve helped create a smarter way to farm.”

Agri-Trak was one of four startups that graduated Sept. 18 at Tait Preserve.

• To address the emerging needs of the ever-changing microelectronics and semiconductor industries, Lux Semiconductors, founded by Graeme Housser and Shane McMahon, has created a Smart Metal packaging platform that allows more chips to be integrated together in a single system, while keeping them cooler. Enabling larger systems makes the Smart Metal platform ideal for AI data centers, defense equipment, and consumer electronics. The company has raised $10 million to date.
• Sign-Speak, founded by Yamillet Payano, Nicholas Wilkins, and NTID graduate Nikolas Kelly, is proprietary AI software that translates sign language into text/voice and offers capabilities comparable to voice recognition technology. This technology empowers businesses to bridge communication gaps between the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The company has raised $3.5 million.
• Panacheeza, a plant-based cheese that offers the texture and versatility of traditional Parmesan, is sustainable and appeals to consumers seeking dairy-free options. It is also a superfood containing only five ingredients—cashews, nutritional yeast, and three other spices. The company has raised more than $400,000 in capital, fulfilled 6,000 orders, and will soon launch new flavors."

“In about six months, Panacheeza has transitioned from entering the incubator to entering the marketplace,” said co-founder Janessa Steenberg ’23 (individualized program). “Being an incubator company has allowed us to meet major milestones, move into a larger manufacturing facility to meet demand, and graduate into a viable business. The structure and access to our coach’s experience laid the foundation for our success.”

• Agri-Trak, designed for small farms that combined grow 90 percent of the U.S. food supply, uses a field-accessible smart-farm platform. The tool tracks labor, crop yield, and cost centers in real time.

Chuck Gershman, founder and CEO of OWL-AI, was the event’s keynote speaker. OWL-AI, which graduated from Venture Creations in 2022, produces sensors that can detect and classify objects around a vehicle in any environment, ensuring that drivers are aware of their surroundings at all times. In his talk, Gershman reminded the founders of the graduating companies to listen to their constituents, be mindful of their leadership, and remember their purpose.”

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Jamie Sonneville, founder and CEO of Agri-Trak, was featured on a billboard on the NASDAQ building in Times Square in recognition of her startup.

“It’s crucial to know your ‘why’ and always emphasize the purpose behind why you do what you do,” he explained. “Your ‘why’ is the beacon within the chaos.”

In his remarks, RIT President David Munson discussed the upcoming establishment of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a university-wide hub for entrepreneurial activities, providing resources, mentorship, a new accelerator, and other types of support for entrepreneurs.

“Our explicit mission is to establish our university as a recognized leader in the pursuit of launching, managing, and scaling businesses,” he said.

Also addressing the founders was Ryne Raffaelle, vice president for Research, and Johan Klarin, Venture Creations director.

Venture Creations has graduated 54 companies, with approximately $500 million in total funds raised. Thirteen of those companies have been acquired, and 31 of 41 non-acquired companies are still operational. Additionally, 85 percent of the companies have maintained a regional presence.

Watch a video featuring the four recent Venture Creations graduates.