Learn from those who have been there, done that and came out the other side a little wiser about the startup journey! Our storytellers will share their scary moments as an entrepreneur and how they overcame their challenges. Have a story to share? Let us know on the registration form.

We’ll be hosted by The Innovation Center at Saratoga (no relation!) so come on up to Luther Forest in Malta. (You might even peep the fall foliage on your way in. 🍂)

Day One: September 24, 2025 | Albany, NY | Half-Day Event + Happy Hour

​We are kicking off Climate Tech Week Upstate with an afternoon dedicated to innovation, investment, and collaboration, followed by a community happy hour.

​This half-day event will bring together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders to spotlight the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of climate tech.

​Featured Speakers & Guests

• ​Dan Fitzgerald, Founder of Key Capture Energy

• ​Cullen Kasunic, Managing Partner, Solve: Resource and Energy Associates

• ​Bill Dailey, Standard Hydrogen Corp.

• ​Zack Pecenak, NY Ventures

• ​Bailey Burke, Hudson Valley Venture Hub

• ​Jack Nolan, Startup IQ

​Day Two: September 25, 2025 | New Climate Futures at Newlab (Brooklyn, NY)

​The morning after Albany, participants can hop on a highly subsidized round-trip bus ($36!) from Albany to Brooklyn to attend Newlab’s New Climate Futures event. This makes it easy for Upstate founders and partners to connect with the broader climate innovation ecosystem.

​

Startup Tech Valley’s first happy hour of the fall season!

Join the Venture Readiness team at the Center for Economic Growth (CEG), an incredible resource for entrepreneurs in our community, at this happy hour event!

This is always a great opportunity to connect with fellow founders, innovators, and builders in a casual, supportive environment. Complimentary appetizers will be provided; drinks are pay-as-you-go.

In coordination with RPI’s Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship, join the Flying Pig Society for the annual kickoff event where all of the new programs, workshops, competitions, awards, and internship opportunities for the 2025-26 academic year will be introduced.

Valuing the Intangible – Understanding Startup Valuation Beyond the Balance Sheet 

Early-stage startups often find themselves rich in intangible assets, which can make valuation a puzzle! Our discussion of valuation continues with Scott DeMarco, founder of Equitable Value LLC. Scott will help us unpack the critical elements that may not show up on a balance sheet but can impact a startup’s valuation.

We'll explore:

How intangible assets like IP, research, and industry affiliations are factored into valuation

The metrics and frameworks used to value patents and proprietary technologies

How founder contributions—beyond capital—play into equity and company value

What due diligence really looks like in early-stage company assessments

What signals (e.g. NDAs, customer agreements, university partnerships) contribute to perceived future potential

Whether you're preparing for a funding round, exploring strategic partnerships, or just trying to understand your company’s worth, you’ll leave this presentation with practical insights into how investors and valuation professionals approach the unique nature of innovation-driven startups.

About Scott:

Scott DeMarco, founder of Equitable Value, LLC, brings proven startup experience, having grown two software companies, AutoQuant Imaging, Inc. and Agora Games, Inc., both of which were successfully acquired. As CFO of Agora Games, he helped lead the company to a profitable exit to Major League Gaming. In addition to his entrepreneurial track record, Scott is a Certified Business Appraiser and Certified Valuation Analyst with extensive experience in valuing technology-driven startups. He has been appointed as an expert witness in court and has conducted hundreds of business appraisals involving IP, economic damages, and closely held enterprises. Scott also holds an MBA in Information Technology and frequently lectures on topics related to valuation, technology, and entrepreneurship.

SEEC and the University at Albany’s Office of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships are kicking off a yearlong initiative to bring breakthrough technologies out of university labs and incubators and into the community.

Join us for a dynamic event where UAlbany researchers and startup founders will showcase innovative projects and explore collaboration opportunities with public and private sector partners across the Capital Region. Discover how these emerging technologies can be tested, used, or licensed to drive local impact.

Please join CEG and the UAlbany Office of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships (OEDEIP), as OEDEIP kicks off its yearlong effort to bring technology out of the labs and incubator and into the community for partnerships with Capital Region companies.

Researchers and startup founders are heading into the Capital Region to showcase their technology (detailed below) and discuss how the private and public sector can use, test, and/or license the technology. The technologies could have a wide range of use cases, including in the following industries:

Commercial Real Estate

Industrial/Manufacturing

Education

Healthcare

Local Government

Hospitality/Retail

Utilities

Chemicals

Pharmaceuticals/Biotech

Semiconductors/Electronics

Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Food and Beverage Processing

Pulp and Paper Mills

Environmental Remediation and Engineering

Network Equipment Manufacturers

Defense and Aerospace

Kick off the summer with a Startup Tech Valley happy hour in Troy!

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or just someone with a passion for innovation, this 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

Free, RSVPs requested.

What if you could get valuable media exposure for your business without hiring an expensive PR firm?

STEAM Garden is excited to invite you to an exclusive, no-cost workshop that will transform how you approach media relations for your business.

EARNED EXPOSURE: UNLOCKING MEDIA COVERAGE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

 with Howard Schaffer, HSM Founder

In this intimate, interactive session limited to just 25 participants, you'll work directly with media expert Howard Schaffer to develop practical skills for generating powerful media coverage that drives business growth.

This hands-on workshop will cover:

• Creating targeted media strategies for your specific audience

• Crafting compelling stories that journalists actually want to cover

• Navigating professional relationships with reporters and editors

• Leveraging editorial opportunities in your industry

• Building an effective social media presence that amplifies your message

As a startup or small business owner, you understand that positive media coverage can dramatically accelerate your growth—but securing that coverage often feels out of reach. This workshop provides the tools and techniques to change that, with strategies you can implement immediately.

The workshop is offered at no cost, but registration is required and spaces will fill quickly

Biotech. Photonics. Climate Tech. Nano. 
Science and engineering founders: are you ready to move from R&D to ROI? 

On May 21 at 12 PM, the UAlbany Innovation Center presents: 
From R&D to ROI: Finding Your First Revenue 

Featuring UAlbany alum Dr. Karen Torrejon, co-founder and CEO of Humonix Biosciences, this virtual event offers real-world advice for founders with lab-born technologies who are ready to build revenue-generating companies. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program Director Kelly Reardon will discuss the mindset shift required to move from grants to revenue, talking about building on the foundation you built using grant funding and provide real-life case studies of companies that successfully transitioned from grant funded to revenue-generating.  

🚀 Ideal for startups in: 

• Life sciences and biotech 

• Advanced manufacturing and semiconductors 

• Photonics and nanotech 

• Clean energy and climate innovation 

✅ Make the leap from grant-funded to market-ready. 

Whether you're fresh off the Upstate Capital Business Plan Competition or just looking for a low-key way to connect with founders, investors, and industry folks—this is the spot.

No RSVP required — just come by! 
Note: Everyone covers their own tab.

Are you a startup founder or entrepreneur looking to secure venture capital?

Join us for an insightful session with Mario Fallone, Partner at Akerman LLP, as he breaks down what venture capitalists seek in an investment. This presentation will cover key investment criteria such as market opportunity, team strength, scalability, and exit strategies. You’ll also gain a clear understanding of VC term sheets, how to evaluate offers, and the importance of choosing the right investor.

Featuring real-world case studies and a live Q&A, this 60-minute session is designed to equip you with the knowledge to navigate the fundraising process with confidence.

 Register today for the Zoom link.

Attention Innovators and Dreamers:

What if we told you pigs could fly? The Flying Pig Society was created to inspire innovation. Our mission is to foster a mindset and community of skilled innovators and entrepreneurs. If you want to learn the skills necessary to innovate solutions to problems worth solving, come fly with us!

Are you interested in starting a company but don’t know how to finance it? Join us for this very special workshop April 16th at 4:30 pm. Our speakers, Heidi Knoblauch and Zack Pecenak will introduce different mechanisms for funding a new venture and talk about strategies for each. As a bonus, they will talk about special funding opportunities for startups in the Capital Region of New York.

Please join us in the RPI Heffner Alumni House in Troy. Free parking on Peoples Avenue or in the lot behind the Alumni House. Food and drinks will be served. RSVP today.

Where pigs can fly, there are no boundaries. Unleash your inner innovator.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 @ 4:30 pm

RPI Heffner Alumni House

1301 Peoples Avenue, Troy, NY 12180

Food and drinks served.

Unlock Innovation & Growth at the University at Albany Innovation Center 

Are you an ambitious entrepreneur with a technology-driven startup? Looking for the perfect space to grow, connect, and collaborate? 

The UAlbany Innovation Center invites you to our Open House to explore our cutting-edge business incubator, designed to help technology-based startups thrive in the Capital Region. 

Why Attend?

• Tour our modern LEED-certified furnished workspaces and meeting rooms  

• Discover research and partnership opportunities at UAlbany 

• Learn about our startup support programs  

• Connect with mentors  

• Network with fellow tech entrepreneurs 

Whether you're an early-stage startup or looking to scale, the Innovation Center provides the tools, community, and guidance you need to succeed. 

Refreshments served. Ample free parking available in adjoining lot, and easily accessible via public transportation.

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.

Join Community Loan Fund for an engaging 50-minute workshop where you’ll discover how to create a cohesive digital presence that resonates with your audience. Learn practical strategies to harmonize your website, social media, and marketing efforts into a powerful business tool.

In the workshop you will learn:

– Website must-haves that turn visitors into loyal customers

– Search engine optimization tips and tricks to get yourself found on Google

– How to make your social media and website work together

– Content creation secrets to maximize your blog’s impact and reach

Perfect for business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketing enthusiasts who want to enhance their digital presence.

No technical expertise required – just bring your curiosity and readiness to learn!

Attention Innovators and Dreamers:

What if we told you pigs could fly? The Flying Pig Society was created to inspire innovation. Their mission is to foster a mindset and community of skilled innovators and entrepreneurs. If you want to learn the skills necessary to innovate solutions to problems worth solving, come fly with FPS!

Have you thought about ditching the office job and starting your own company? Attend this Pig Tale (special seminar) on March 19th at 5:30 pm.  Gabrielle Haddad will share her story of a career pivot that led to the start of an award-winning software company.

Join Community Loan Fund for an informative webinar where we’ll explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Marketing, a game-changer designed to empower small businesses. These features offer the flexibility and control you need to streamline your marketing efforts, optimize engagement, and drive significant growth.

• Enhance Branding: Seamlessly manage and customize your brand identity with AI tools that make it easier than ever to maintain consistency across all your marketing efforts.

• Simplify Content Creation: Utilize intuitive drag-and-drop tools and AI-driven features that simplify the process of crafting compelling communications.

• Optimize Campaigns: Deliver personalized, localized communications at scale, ensuring every message resonates with your target audience.

• Streamline Management: Efficiently organize and manage your marketing efforts with centralized oversight, boosting productivity and allowing you to focus on growth.

• Gain Actionable Insights: Access comprehensive, easy-to-understand reports that empower you to make informed decisions and optimize your marketing strategies.

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is ideal for small business owners and marketers who want to leverage AI to boost their marketing effectiveness. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to expand your existing capabilities, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical strategies to take your marketing to the next level.

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

Apply to pitch!

Apply to sponsor!

What is Startup Tech Valley?

Meetup for first-time entrepreneurs, experienced entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, 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 informal 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

Want to know the value of your company/technology/patent/idea?

Speaker Martin Dunbar and Alex Woods are analysts from KPMG who specialize in economic and valuation services. Want to learn how to determine the value of a company, a technology, a patent, or an idea? Come and listen to Marty and Alex.

November is a time for gratitude and reconnecting with family and/or friends. This month, we're skipping the formal pitches and hosting an extended happy hour, where the drinks are plentiful and the conversations flow just as freely!

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or just someone with a passion for innovation, this is the perfect chance to:

🍹 Unwind with refreshing beverages and delicious bites
🤝 Network with like-minded professionals and potential collaborators

See you there!

🌟Come Network & Connect 🌟

518 Founders Happy Hour is a great chance for the Capital District’s top innovators to come together, share ideas, and celebrate our wins.

November 14th, 2024

RenderTribe Office

468 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

5:00 to 7:00 PM

This event is all about connecting with fellow founders, investors, and industry experts in a fun and relaxed setting.

We meet regularly at different spots across the Capital District. No need to RSVP, but it’d be awesome if you could let us know you’re coming!
Let’s make the most of this opportunity to expand our networks and support each other.

Ready to connect with DARPA in an unprecedented way? In-person attendance for DARPA’s pop-up event in Albany is at full capacity – but you can still join virtually for an inspiring day that could shape your path with one of the world’s most innovative agencies. This event is designed to help you understand DARPA’s current focus areas, connect with decision-makers, and give you practical knowledge on how to engage with DARPA.

Date: Thursday, November 14th, 2024 

Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM ET 

Register Here: https://events.bizzabo.com/darpa-connect-ny-pop-up

Ready to Dive In? Check Out The Agenda: https://events.bizzabo.com/darpa-connect-ny-pop-up/agenda

Explore the day’s sessions in advance and see which ones will be most valuable to your work and goals. From proposal crafting to real-time feedback sessions, this agenda is packed with insights tailored for industry leaders, researchers, and small business innovators.

What to Expect from the Virtual Event:

- Insights from Across DARPA

  Virtually experience our full-day agenda featuring DARPA program managers across the agency’s technical offices, each leading groundbreaking work in their fields. This is a unique opportunity to gain direct insight into DARPA’s current focus areas and ongoing research.

- Engagement with DARPA’s Key Offices 

  You’ll hear from leaders in the Small Business Programs Office, the Contract Management Office, and DARPA Security, as well as other key decision-makers. These experts will provide guidance on how to align your ideas and projects with DARPA’s mission, opening doors to future collaboration.

- Sessions to Help You Succeed

  Get advice from DARPA insiders on crafting successful proposals, understanding DARPA’s pathways, and navigating contracting processes. Whether you're new to DARPA or a seasoned partner, our sessions will inspire new ideas and provide actionable strategies to enhance your engagement with DARPA.

Join us on November 14th to engage with DARPA’s experts, gain actionable insights, and take the next step in building the future with DARPA!

Want to know what it’s like starting a company in your 20’s?

Join us for a Pig Tale on November 13th at 5:00 pm. Our speakers, Dan Lannan and Sam Hogan, are successful serial entrepreneurs at under 25 years old! Want to know how they stopped banging their heads against the wall and made it work? Come and talk to Dan and Sam.

Please join us on the RPI campus in Troy, Darrin Communications Center Room 330. Parking on 15th Street. Food and drinks will be served. Scan the QR code for more information.

Where pigs can fly, there are no boundaries. Unleash your inner innovator.

Wednesday November 13, 2024 @ 5:00 pm

Darrin Communications Center, Room 330.

51 College Ave, Troy, NY 12180

Parking on 15th Street.

Food and drinks served.

Our November Lunch and Learn topic, “Valuing Early-Stage Businesses and Intangible Assets" is tailored specifically for startup founders and entrepreneurs seeking to understand the complex world of business valuation in its formative stages. We’ll be joined by experienced professionals from KPMG, a global leader in accounting and advisory services, who will delve into the core principles and practical considerations of valuing early-stage ventures, which often lack the traditional financial history of mature companies. 

Learn and understand the unique challenges and methods involved in valuing startups, including the significant role of intangible assets—such as intellectual property —that often drive a young company's worth. KPMG experts will break down key valuation frameworks, offer real-world examples, and discuss the latest industry standards and techniques to help founders communicate their value to potential investors and stakeholders confidently. 

The session will cover topics such as leveraging comparable company analysis, recent transactions, discounted cash flow analysis, and incorporating qualitative factors to build a robust, credible valuation. This workshop will provide founders with an opportunity to ask questions and gain actionable insights to develop better valuations.  

This workshop will provide founders with an opportunity to ask questions and gain actionable insights to better position their businesses for sustainable growth and successful capital raises. 

Join us at the UAlbany Innovation Center for our First Annual (Startup) Horror Stories Show! We’ll hear from seasoned startup founders and entrepreneurs who’ve had their share of stumbles on the way to success.

Free and open to the Capital Region Startup Founder and Entrepreneurship Community.

Lunch will be served.