Technology Sectors

Manufacturing and technology have been driving the Capital Region’s economy for more than a century, and they continue to run smart and strong here. Backed by R&D centers at Albany Nanotech, University at Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, GE Global Research, Albany Medical Center and the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, local companies in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Hudson, Catskill, Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls are able to retain their competitive advantages in the global marketplace.

Our key technology and manufacturing sectors of focus include the following:

Advanced Electronics R&D and Manufacturing

As home to a dynamic convergence of innovation, R&D and manufacturing, NY’s Capital Region has emerged as a major global hub for development, commercialization and production of advanced electronics and semiconductors. Scores of industry leading companies and emerging firms are conducting R&D and commercialization at SUNY Polytechnic’s Albany Nanotech Complex and at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Home to GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ Fab 8, thousands of skilled professionals are developing and producing next generation technology here that power and connect our lives in the global marketplace.

Sample companies: GlobalFoundries, Tokyo Electron, Free Form Fibers

 

Biotechnology / Life Sciences

The Capital Region is home to legacy medical equipment manufacturing and cutting-edge biotech/life science and pharmaceutical firms. Our vast talent pipeline, R&D infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities make the region a bench-to-bedside model.

Highlights: The National Institute of Health (NIH) on average annually awards more than $50 million to Capital Region biopharma and life sciences companies and R&D centers.

Sample companies: Regeneron, Curia, AngioDynamics, Taconic Biosciences

 

Off-Shore Wind & Clean Energy

Home to New York’s northern-most, year round seaport with critical rail connections, and located at the nexus of interstates 87 and 90 providing accessibility to multi-state supply chains, the Capital Region stands as a strategic offshore wind component manufacturing and staging location.  In addition to off-shore wind development, the Capital Region supports advancements in additional clean energy sub-sectors including solar, battery/storage, geothermal and smart grid. More details on offshore wind in the Capital Region here >>

Highlights: New York ranks second for cleantech patents, first for wind patents and fifth for U.S. Department of Energy R&D funding.

Sample companies: GE, Plug Power, Espey Mfg. & Electronics

 

 

Digital Gaming

The Capital Region has been making waves in the digital game industry for more than two decades. It is the home of the industry’s first billion-dollar title: Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. In addition to prominent studios, the gaming cluster has a broad and vibrant ecosystem of independent studios and training institutions, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s acclaimed Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Great Games Start Here >>

Sample companies: Blizzard Albany, Velan Studios, WB Games

 

Artificial Intelligence

In 2021, the Brookings Institute identified the Capital Region as one of 87 potential artificial intelligence adoption centers. The region stood out nationally for its AI-related federal contracts and R&D conducted by GE Research in Niskayuna, Kitware in Halfmoon, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.

Highlights: Home to IBM Artificial Intelligence Hardware Center and one of the most powerful supercomputers on a private university- campus

Sample Companies: IBM Research, GE Research

 

R&D to Commercialization

Driving cutting-edge research in several fields, including semiconductor devices, wind energy, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and chemicals. With one of the nation’s highest concentrations of jobs in the physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D services industry, the cluster attracts more than $1 billion in private research spending annually. Leveraging assets and talent at the Albany Nanotech Complex, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University at Albany’s ETEC Building and Health Sciences Campus, companies are continuing the Capital Region’s tradition of innovation that began with the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady – the nation’s first industrial research facility in 1900. 

Sample Companies: IBM, GlobalFoundries, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, GE Research, SI Group, Curia, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

 

 

Advanced Materials

The Capital Region’s Advanced Materials Cluster includes a vast array of advanced chemical and materials manufacturers that supply the aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics and medical, industries.The Albany metro area is one of fewer than 50 metros nationwide where the private sector spends more than $1 billion on R&D, including research at corporate materials and chemical labs run by GE Research, SI Group, SABIC, and Polyset.

Major Employers: Momentive Performance Materials, SI Group, SABIC, Ames Goldsmith

 

Software / Information Technology

Companies in this sector study, design, develop, implement, support or manage computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware.

Sample companies: CommerceHub, Transfinder, Dealer Socket

 

Power

New York’s Capital Region has been shaping the nation’s power landscape for more than a century, from the first steam generator at General Electric’s Schenectady plant in 1901 to hydrogen fuel cells now made by Plug Power in Latham and offshore wind tower components that will soon be assembled at Albany County ports.

Sample Companies: Plug Power, GE Global Research, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory

 

Non-Technology Sectors

Healthcare

The Healthcare Cluster lays the foundation for the Capital Region’s vibrant economy, accounting for one in eight jobs region-wide. Major employers include three major hospital systems – Albany Med Health System, St. Peter’s Health Partners and Ellis Medicine – and several health insurance companies including Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP) and MVP Health Care. Albany Med has one of the busiest trauma centers in the state and the only children’s hospital in northeastern New York. Supporting this large healthcare workforce is an expansive talent pipeline that includes one of the State’s largest teaching hospitals, Albany Medical College, the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, three nursing schools and several other healthcare-related programs, colleges and universities. The region’s largest medical group is Community Care Physicians (CCP).

 

Logistics & Distribution

Our region employs over 14,000 individuals at hubs such as the Port of Albany, Port of Coeymans and fulfillment centers for companies such as Ace Hardware, Coca-Cola, FedEx, UPS and Target.

 

 

Call CEG today and learn how we can help you grow in any of these sectors.

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