Center for Economic Growth

Knowledge @ Noon: Leverage AI Enabled Dozuki Platform
2026-03-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Join us for this free Knowledge @ Noon webinar and learn how the AI-enabled Dozuki platform is helping manufacturers empower frontline teams for stronger performance and greater productivity.
Designed for manufacturing organizations of all sizes, Dozuki bridges the gap between frontline operations and existing manufacturing systems—driving real efficiency gains where it matters most.
How to Modernize Manufacturing—Without a Massive Team
Discover how leading manufacturers are transforming operations by giving their workforce the right tools, training, and knowledge—without relying on a large engineering staff or months of IT support. In this session, we’ll explore how Dozuki helps organizations standardize work, reduce turnover, and scale expertise across multiple sites with a platform that’s fast to deploy and easy to maintain.

Register Here

Presenting Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsors:

Startup Tech Valley
2026-03-17 17:30 - 20:00 | ETEC Building – University at Albany, SUNY, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12206, United States
Join us for Startup Tech Valley at UAlbany ETEC Building in Albany, NY on Tuesday, March 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. SUTV is Capital Region’s premier startup event. Connect with the entrepreneurship community. Free and open to all.

Startup Tech Valley is a meetup for the entrepreneurship community in the Capital Region. Attendees include entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, mentors, students, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who wants to be involved or is curious.
What to Expect:

Connect + Engage. Start with networking and then get introduced to startups through pitch sessions.
No cost to attend, however RSVP is required.
Light refreshments will be provided. Cash bar available.
5:30pm Networking | 6:00 – 7:00pm Pitch Sessions

If you’re interested in pitching, you can apply here.
If you’re interested in sponsoring, you can reach out here.

Register Here

Knowledge @ Noon: Intelligent Automation in Manufacturing: Enhancing ERP Systems for Smarter Operations
2026-04-14 12:00 - 13:00 | NY
Join this free Knowledge @ Noon webinar Intelligent Automation in Manufacturing: Enhancing ERP Systems for Smarter Operations to explore how intelligent automation and ERP integrations are reshaping operations within manufacturing organizations.
We’ll examine how intelligent document processing solutions, like Quidi, can be applied within supply chain transactions to reduce manual effort, improve data visibility, and surface valuable insights related to parts, materials, and sourcing trends. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how automation can support more efficient workflows and more informed decision-making.
Designed with manufacturing environments in mind, this session will walk through practical examples of how ERP systems can be enhanced through thoughtful integration strategies. The focus will be on operational improvement, measurable impact, and how teams can shift time away from repetitive tasks toward higher-value work.
Shayne Pendergast, Solutions Architect at Garnet River, will share real-world use cases and lessons learned from implementing intelligent automation within ERP ecosystems, along with considerations for organizations evaluating similar initiatives.

Shayne’s Bio:
Shayne is Garnet River’s Solutions Architect, responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and scalability of the Quidi suite across manufacturing and distribution industries and leading a team of skilled professionals who drive innovation in applications which automate strategies that deliver client value. Shayne joined Garnet River in 2020, spearheading numerous RPA projects and collaborating across Garnet River’s practice groups to integrate RPA initiatives with broader business objectives to grow and maintain what is now the product division.

Register Here

Startup Tech Valley - NYBPC Student Pitches
2026-04-16 17:30 - 20:00 | Brown’s Revolution Hall, 425 River St, Troy, NY, 12180
Welcome to Capital Region’s premier startup event. Connect with the entrepreneurship community. Free and open to all.

Startup Tech Valley is a meetup for the Capital Region entrepreneurship community. Attendees include entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, mentors, students, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who wants to be involved or is curious. This month’s Startup Tech Valley will feature student entrepreneurs competing in the New York Business Plan Competition. Come meet the students, give them feedback as they launch their companies, and cheer on the next generation of innovators.
What to Expect:

Connect + Engage. Start with networking and then get introduced to startups through pitch sessions.
No cost to attend, however RSVP is required.
Light refreshments will be provided. Cash bar available.
5:30pm Networking | 6:00 – 7:00pm Pitch Sessions

REGISTER

Startup Tech Valley
2026-05-14 17:30 - 20:00 | miSci, 15 Museum Drive, Schenectady, NY, 12308
Startup Tech Valley is Capital Region’s premier startup event. Connect with the entrepreneurship community. Free and open to all.

Startup Tech Valley is a meetup for the entrepreneurship community in the Capital Region. Attendees include entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, mentors, students, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who wants to be involved or is curious.
What to Expect:

Connect + Engage. Start with networking and then get introduced to startups through pitch sessions.
No cost to attend, however RSVP is required.
Light refreshments will be provided. Cash bar available.
5:30pm Networking | 6:00 – 7:00pm Pitch Sessions

REGISTER TO ATTEND
If you’re interested in pitching, you can apply here.
If you’re interested in sponsoring, you can reach out here.

Port of Albany-Rensselaer Maritime Summit
2026-05-19 08:30 - 10:00 | Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY, 12207, United States
SAVE THE DATE
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | Port of Albany-Rensselaer | Maritime Summit
Albany Capital Center | 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207 | Registration and refreshments begin at 8:30am
The program will include internationally renowned Port and Transportation leaders and speakers.
For more information: Call or email Penny Vavura at 518-463-8763 or pvavura@portofalbany.us

Apprenticeships, SUNY Training Funds and You: An Employer Roundtable
2026-05-26 14:30 - 16:00 | Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York, 12180
Partners in the Automotive, Computer Support, HVAC and Welding sectors are encouraged to attend this upcoming roundtable discussion on the value of Registered Apprenticeship Programs and the role they an play in strengthening your workforce. As many companies continue to face skilled labor shortages, Registered Apprenticeship Programs offer a proven pathway to develop talent, build a reliable pipeline of skilled workers, and retain employees for the long term. This roundtable will provide an opportunity to learn how apprenticeships can be tailored to meet the needs of your company, hear from experts and peers who have successfully implemented these programs, and discuss available resources that can help offset training costs. Whether your company is exploring apprenticeships for the first time or looking to expand existing workforce development efforts, this conversation will offer practical insights to support your business and the future of our region’s manufacturing sector.
Location: Hudson Valley Community College Bulmer Telecommunications Center | 80 Vandenburgh Ave., Troy NY
No cost to attend, however please RSVP:

Register to Attend
This event is being sponsored by SUNY Apprenticeship Programs, New York State Department of Labor, Center for Economic Growth, Capital Region Workforce Development Board, and Hudson Valley Community College.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Hot Spot Tax Credits
2026-05-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Tech Valley Center of Gravity, 30 3rd Street, Troy, NY, 12180, United States
Innovate 518 is one of ten Innovation Hot Spot in New York State, a program of NYSTAR and Empire State Development. Come to this session to learn how your startup can benefit from being Hot Spot certified.
Eligible companies meet the following criteria:

Enrolled and be in good standing with an affiliated Innovate 518 incubator or accelerator.
In the first five years of existence (seven years for life science companies)
Tech-focused (industry-agnostic)
In the formative stage of business growth:

Less than one $1 million in annual revenue or equity capital and/or;
In the prototyping/development phase or earlier and/or;
On a path towards sustainability and/or growth

Innovate 518 is a collaborative effort of incubators from New York’s Capital Region, including Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington counties, managed by the University at Albany.
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 12PM
Location: Tech Valley Center of Gravity, 30 3rd St, Troy NY 12180

28th Annual Capital Region Business Hall of Fame
2026-05-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Albany Marriott, 189 Wolf. Rd., Albany, NY, 12205, United States
The 28th Annual Capital Region Business Hall of Fame is proudly presented by Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York and the Center for Economic Growth. Please join our hosts Mark Eagan, President & CEO, Center for Economic Growth, and Christine Horne, President, Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York, as we celebrate our inductees. This event starts at 5:00 pm with a Cocktail Reception, followed by dinner seating at 5:50 pm. Dress is business attire. All proceeds benefit the mission of Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York.
28th Annual Capital Region Business Hall of Fame Inductees
Induction into the Capital Region Business Hall of Fame is a preeminent business leadership award. As such, those chosen to receive the award must not only meet the high standards established for the honor but should themselves be a sign of the quality of the award. The honorees will be part of an illustrious group who have exemplified business and entrepreneurial leadership and demonstrate a deep commitment and dedication to our community.
Please join us in celebrating the induction of three outstanding individuals at the 28th Annual Capital Region Business Hall of Fame:

Register

Startup Tech Valley
2026-06-17 17:30 - 20:00 | ETEC
Welcome to Capital Region’s premier startup event. Connect with the entrepreneurship community. Free and open to all.
Startup Tech Valley is the Capital Region’s community driven startup networking and pitch event.

Attendees include entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, mentors, students, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who wants to be involved or is curious.
This month’s Startup Tech Valley will be hosted in partnership with Business Incubator Association of New York State (BIANYS). Join us to meet the community and see local startups pitch!
What to Expect:

Connect + Engage. Start with networking and then get introduced to startups through pitch sessions.
No cost to attend, however RSVP is required.
Light refreshments will be provided. Cash bar available.
5:30pm Networking | 6:00 – 7:00pm Pitch Sessions

If you’re interested in sponsoring, you can reach out here. If you’re interested in pitching, you can reach out here.

Register to Attend

Knowledge @ Noon: R&D Tax Credits Made Simple
2026-07-14 12:00 - 13:00 | NY
Manufacturers are constantly innovating through process improvements, automation, prototyping, and fabrication—but many don’t realize these activities may qualify for valuable R&D tax credits.
Join this free Knowledge @ Noon webinar on Tuesday, July 14 to learn how AI-assisted tools and expert guidance can help identify eligible work, simplify documentation, and maximize available tax savings.
The session will be led by Darrin Jahnel, CEO and co-founder of Jahnel Group and founder of InfoLink, and Morgan Canion, Vice President of R&D and Tax Incentives at InfoLink. Together, they bring decades of experience helping businesses leverage technology, innovation, and tax incentives to drive growth while simplifying complex compliance requirements.
Meet the presenters:

Darrin Jahnel is a CEO, entrepreneur, and AI strategist with 25+ years of experience building and scaling companies. He is the co-founder and CEO of Jahnel Group, a 150-person software consulting firm headquartered in Schenectady, NY, named to the Inc. 5000 for seven consecutive years and recognized multiple times as a Best Workplace. He also founded InfoLink, an R&D tax credit advisory company, and acquired LTI, a 50-person technology firm. A graduate of UAlbany and NYU’s Stern School of Business, Darrin is a paid speaker and member of Mensa. He is high-energy, deeply committed to his family and community, and at his best when building environments where people do the best work of their lives.

Morgan Canion is a VP of R&D and tax incentive strategist with 10+ years of experience helping US business owners transform technical innovation into powerful financial assets. Leading the R&D practice, Morgan provides a premium, white-glove experience that maximizes federal and state tax relief, with a sharp focus on the complex software and manufacturing sectors. Morgan has mastered the full incentive lifecycle, expertly translating intricate engineering processes into robust, audit-defensible tax narratives while keeping the entire process seamless and stress-free for clients. A graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in Economics, Morgan is exceptionally personable, client-focused, and analytical. Morgan is at their best when serving as a trusted partner to business owners, making complex tax compliance approachable to fuel company growth.

Following the presentation there will be an opportunity for Q&A.
Knowledge @ Noon is a free monthly webinar series, offered through the Manufacturing Solutions Network, powered by CEG, designed to help manufacturers stay up-to-date with the latest trends, ideas, and best practices. Each month will feature a new topic led by industry experts who will share insight and provide valuable knowledge and tools to help your organization learn and grow.
