Startup Tech Valley Holiday Happy Hour
2025-12-09 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Ryan’s Wake, 403 River St. #1, Troy, NY, 12180, United States
Join us for a Startup Tech Valley Holiday Happy Hour to connect with the Capital Region entrepreneurship community on Tuesday, December 9th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Ryan’s Wake in Troy. Calling all entrepreneurs, business leaders, students, and anyone who supports entrepreneurship! This event is the perfect chance to:

Unwind with refreshing beverages and delicious bites
Network with like-minded professionals and potential collaborators
Engage with the Startup Tech Valley community

Open Mic
Attendees will have the opportunity to take the mic and give their elevator pitch at this event. Polish up your pitches and get ready for your 60 seconds of fame!
Toys for Tots
We have partnered with Toys for Tots to collect toys for children this holiday season. Since 1947, Toys for Tots has distributed 708 million toys to 314 million children. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate at the Happy Hour!

Register Here

Advance 2 Apprenticeship Virtual Info Session
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-02 17:30 - 18:30
Join us for one of our virtual information sessions to learn about our manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program, Advance 2 Apprenticeship and how you can apply to join our February 2026 cohort!
Thursday, January 22 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. OR Monday, February 2 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. on ZOOM
Are you looking for a new career? Do you enjoy working with your
hands, and want to be part of building something?
Advanced manufacturing may be the industry for you! The Center for Economic Growth, in
partnership with Hudson Valley Community College and the Capital Region Workforce
Development Board, are offering a pre-apprenticeship program to introduce individuals to
foundational technical and professional skills needed to find a role in the manufacturing industry.
Throughout the program, participants have the opportunity to tour and interview with local
manufacturers for rewarding, sustainable roles!
REGISTER HERE

Advance 2 Apprenticeship Open House
2026-01-27 16:00 - 18:00 | Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York, 12180
Join us for an open house to learn about our manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program, Advance 2 Apprenticeship and how you can apply to join our February 2026 cohort!
Tuesday, January 27 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Room 208, Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Hudson Valley Community College
Are you looking for a new career? Do you enjoy working with your
hands, and want to be part of building something?
Advanced manufacturing may be the industry for you! The Center for Economic Growth, in
partnership with Hudson Valley Community College and the Capital Region Workforce
Development Board, are offering a pre-apprenticeship program to introduce individuals to
foundational technical and professional skills needed to find a role in the manufacturing industry.
Throughout the program, participants have the opportunity to tour and interview with local
manufacturers for rewarding, sustainable roles!
REGISTER HERE

Knowledge @ Noon: 2026 New York State Legislative Session
2026-02-10 12:00 - 13:00
Join the Manufacturing Association of Central New York (MACNY) and Ostroff Associates for an insightful preview of the 2026 New York State Legislative Session.

In this free, must-attend webinar, industry experts will break down key legislative priorities impacting manufacturers, including:

Energy Policy: Moving forward with an “All of the Above” approach;
Workforce Development: Investing in Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship;
Cutting Red Tape: SEQR regulatory reform; and
Tax Policy: Allowing federal tax benefits to flow to New York investments

Stay ahead of policy changes, reduce risk, and position your business for success in the year ahead.
Presenters:
Randy Wolken is President and CEO of MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, representing over 300 companies and 50,000 employees in Central and Upstate New York, and President and CEO of the Manufacturers Alliance of New York, a statewide coalition representing more than 2,500 companies and 425,000 employees. He joined MACNY in 2001 and has spent over 20 years strengthening the region’s manufacturing sector and business climate.

Casey Marvell joined Ostroff Associates in 2021 and brings extensive experience in lobbying, government relations, and public policy strategy. He advises clients on navigating New York State’s legislative and regulatory landscape across key areas including energy, environment, economic development, transportation, and taxation, with particular expertise in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Previously, he worked in the New York State Senate and at the Adirondack Council, where he supported the passage of major environmental legislation through advocacy and coalition-building. In 2025, he was named a City & State New York “Trailblazer in Clean Energy,” and he holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College.

Register Here

Presenting Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsors:

Startup Tech Valley
2026-02-19 17:30 - 20:00 | Brown’s Revolution Hall, 425 River St, Troy, NY, 12180
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.

Knowledge @ Noon: Leverage AI Enabled Dozuki Platform
2026-03-10 12:00 - 13:00
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
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

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
