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Key people at Zell Capital.
Vessel is an uncommon alternative investment platform, focused on partnering with entrepreneurs early in their journey to build the future of their industry.
Key people at Zell Capital.
Zell Capital has 2 tracked investments across 2 companies. The latest tracked deal is $2.3M Seed in GRID in June 2022.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 6, 2022 | GRID | $2.3M Seed | 11 Tribes Ventures, ALY Madhavji | William Ackman, Formless Capital, Mask Network, Realist Ventures |
| Jan 1, 2022 | Grid | $1.0M Seed | 11 Tribes Ventures, Blockchain Founders Fund | Lance Tracey, Scott Belsky, Bain Capital, Foundation Capital, Founders Fund, Marc Baghadjian, NextView Ventures, Plug & Play Ventures, RET Ventures, Formless Capital, Mask Network, Realist Ventures |
Zell Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Columbus, Ohio, founded in 2020. The firm’s mission is to maximize long-term total returns by investing in early-stage startups across diverse sectors including technology, healthcare, consumer, enterprise, and the public sector. Zell Capital employs a value investment thesis to identify promising startups, typically investing between $250,000 and $2 million. It aims to support innovative companies that demonstrate disruptive potential and scalable growth, thereby contributing to the startup ecosystem by providing critical early financial backing and strategic support[2][5].
The firm was founded by serial entrepreneur Will Zell, who has expanded its scope by rebranding Zell Capital under a holding company called Vessel, which also includes a startup studio and an angel investing group. This evolution reflects a broader focus on not only funding startups but also actively participating in their formation and growth. The firm’s early investments and network in Ohio and beyond position it as a key player in nurturing early-stage ventures in North America[4][6].
Zell Capital rides the ongoing trend of early-stage venture capital focusing on disruptive innovation across multiple sectors. The timing is favorable due to increasing startup activity in the Midwest and a growing appetite for diverse investment opportunities beyond traditional tech hubs. By fostering startups in varied industries, Zell Capital helps diversify and strengthen the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly in Ohio and the U.S. at large[2][4].
Looking ahead, Zell Capital’s integration into Vessel signals a strategic move toward a more holistic startup ecosystem approach, combining funding, formation, and angel investing. Trends such as regional venture capital growth, sector diversification, and startup studio models will likely shape its trajectory. As it scales, Zell Capital could become a significant catalyst for early-stage innovation in the Midwest and beyond, deepening its influence on the startup landscape and investor community[4][6].
