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Trelys-Backed Company Announces Additional Round of Funding
Ometric funding consistent with Trelys’ focus on providing capital and business building expertise to move industry-changing technologies from research lab to marketplace
03.06.06

COLUMBIA, SC — The Trelys Funds (www.trelys.com), South Carolina's largest and most active early-stage venture capital firm, today applauded the additional funding of one of its portfolio companies, saying that its success is consistent with Trelys’ mission of providing the funding and business building expertise needed to turn industry-changing technologies into high value companies.

Ometric Corporation (www.ometric.com) yesterday announced the closing on an additional round of funding that will enable the company to expand the availability of its innovative SpectrInline Processware™ technology to a wide variety of industries, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, agriculture, food and beverage, environmental, plastics, oil and gas, and homeland security. The Trelys Funds co-led the latest investment round, along with Sequoia Capital of Menlo Park, California.

Ometric’s success can be directly traced back to Trelys’ ongoing efforts to cultivate innovation. Trelys initially identified pioneering research at the University of South Carolina (USC), in the field of analytical technology, and established Ometric with an initial $250,000 seed investment.

This was only the first step in a series of Trelys-based accomplishments, including:

  • Attracting the initial management team, including renowned optical engineer Dr. Robert Freese;
  • Recruiting former Avanex CEO Walter Alessandrini, a photonics industry veteran who has taken two companies public, as Ometric’s chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and
  • Leading the latest round of funding.

“From our beginning in 2004, Trelys has provided both capital and valuable business counsel,” said Alessandrini. “Many capital firms are not willing to take the time or provide the insight needed to successfully launch a small startup company. Trelys has proved to be a welcome exception; its team has been with us every step of the way. We are proud to be part of the Trelys portfolio.”

Ometric is one of eight companies throughout the Southeast that has received Trelys funding, in areas such as biotechnology, information technology and telecommunications. “The Trelys Funds is dedicated to building the knowledge economy of the regions it serves,” said Larry Wilson, a general partner of The Trelys Funds. “By focusing on a strategy to develop and commercialize advanced technologies in an underserved geographic market, we can benefit millions of people as end-users and employees. While doing well for our investors, we are helping to raise the quality of life in South Carolina, and the world, through industry-changing companies like Ometric.”

About The Trelys Funds
A team of business builders, The Trelys Funds works with leading scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to turn industry-changing technologies into high value companies. Investors in Trelys include BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, BB&T Corporation, Carolina First Bank, First Citizens Bank, the Clemson University Foundation, and the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation. Trelys portfolio companies include Aldagen, Biolex Therapeutics, Champion Communications, iOnosphere, Metabolon, Ometric, SpineMedica, TriVirix, and Unitrends. Trelys is South Carolina’s largest and most active venture capital firm. To learn more about Trelys, visit www.trelys.com.


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