Celery LLC — developer of user-friendly e-mail device — is among 100 top tech innovators honored for their breakthrough products and technologies 

Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Incubator Program today announced that Celery LLC has been selected as one of the winners of the 2006 “Best of What’s New” award by Popular Science. Each year, the editors of Popular Science review thousands of products in search of the top 100 tech innovations of the year, breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their categories. Celery has developed a mail service device that allows users to send and receive e-mail without the use of a computer. 

Celery LLC has developed a mail service device that allows users to send and receive e-mail without the use of a computer. The device was created by Rensselaer student Adam Wishneusky, in an effort to address a growing need among seniors who were unfamiliar with computer technology. Photo courtesy of Celery LLC

“Entrepreneurship is ingrained in the Rensselaer culture, and the founders of Celery have had an opportunity to nurture their technological venture as a means of commercializing discovery and innovation within an academic setting,” said Michael Tentnowski, director of Rensselaer’s Incubator Program. “It is very rewarding for them to receive this recognition from Popular Science as it demonstrates Rensselaer’s extraordinary history of fostering discovery and innovation, moving ideas from the lab to the global marketplace. This award is the result of the company’s combined vision, analytical capabilities, and entrepreneurial way of thinking to change the world for the better.”

The winners were honored during an awards ceremony held in New York City on Nov. 6.

The “Best of What’s New” award was presented to 100 new products and technologies in 10 categories: Automotive, Aviation & Space, Computing, Engineering, Gadgets, General Innovation, Home Entertainment, Home Tech, Personal Health, and Recreation. Celery LLC was recognized in the Computing category. 

The winners will be featured in the magazine’s December issue on newsstands as of Nov. 14. To view the Popular Science announcement regarding the Celery Mail Service, go to: http://www.popsci.com/popsci/flat/bown/2006/product_33.html 

“‘Best of What’s New’ is the ultimate Popular Science accolade, representing a year’s worth of work evaluating thousands of products,” says Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science. “These awards honor innovations that not only influence the way we live today, but that change the way we think about the future.” 

The company was founded in 2003 by Rensselaer student Adam Wishneusky, currently a senior majoring in the Product Design and Innovation program (PDI). He serves as the company’s chief technology officer. Rensselaer graduate Neil Grabowsky ’04, who also majored in the program, is the vice president of sales and customer service. 

The mission of Rensselaer’s PDI program is to prepare students to design products and develop technologies for the 21st century. In addition, with a broader scope than typical industrial design or engineering programs, PDI seeks to “bridge” these disciplines to create new products, services, and media in the context of social needs and environmental concerns.

According to his research findings, Wishneusky decided to create the device in an effort to address a growing need among seniors who were unfamiliar with computer technology, and therefore not included in e-mail exchanges between family and friends.  

“We are delighted to be among a group of top tech innovators recognized for developing cutting-edge technologies and products,” said Andrew Gibson, chief executive officer of Celery LLC. “The award is a validation that everyone can use and enjoy the benefits of e-mail without any special skills or equipment. We live in a networked world, and our mission in developing the device is to include seniors and others in the process of communicating with family members and friends via e-mail, so that nobody is kept out of the loop.”

Celery LLC is one several virtual companies that are part of Rensselaer’s Incubator Program. The Incubator Program was founded in 1980, making it one of the oldest U.S. incubators and the first wholly owned and operated by a university. Since its inception, about one-third of the incubator companies have been started by Rensselaer professors, another third by Rensselaer students, and the final third by those within the surrounding community, according to Tentnowski. 

The Incubator Program offers an extensive suite of business services, including infrastructure-based support, consulting, business development, funding events, and networking opportunities. There are 21 companies housed at the Incubator on campus, and 23 affiliated companies located throughout the Capital Region.

For more information about Celery LLC, go to: http://www.mycelery.com/index.php

For more information about Rensselaer’s Incubator Program, go to http://www.rpi.edu/dept/incubator/homepage/.

About Popular Science
Founded in 1872, Popular Science is the world’s largest science and technology magazine; with a circulation of 1.45 million and 6.5 million monthly readers. Each month, Popular Science reports on the intersection of science and everyday life, with an eye toward what’s new and why it matters. Popular Science is published by Time4 Media, a subsidiary of Time Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.

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