Center for Economic Growth

Startup Tech Valley
2026-05-14 17:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | 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
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.
This session is especially valuable for CFOs, controllers, finance teams, directors of operations, plant managers, and business leaders responsible for driving efficiency and profitability. Please share this opportunity with them.
You’ll hear from industry experts 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.

Artificial Intelligence for Manufacturers
2026-08-13 08:30 - 10:30 | Center for Economic Growth, 5 Computer Drive South, Albany, NY, 12205, United States
Understand the fundamentals of AI and how they can be applied within your business.
Unlock the real, practical power of AI and see how it can transform your operations today—not someday. This workshop shows manufacturers exactly where AI delivers value across the shop floor, supply chain, and workforce.
Join us for an in-person, hands on workshop for manufacturers led by Jeff Oskin, Technologist, AI Visionary and Business Consultant at Newlogiq.
Learn how Artificial Intelligence can be applied within various areas of your business including supply chain, HR, operations, scheduling, quality, and sales and marketing.
There is no cost to attend this event, however please RSVP. Light breakfast will be served.
Meet the Presenter, Jeff Oskin:

Business & Leadership Coach at Newlogiq
33 year career in technology & leadership
Past President of a publicly traded software company selling software solutions to utilities and telecoms
Founder of Jolt Consulting Group — started, grew, merged and ultimately sold
Past Vistage Chair; current Chair of Sage Advisors
Certified business coach and peer group facilitator for last 12 years
AI Certified Expert (Blockchain Council – 2023)
