NY Venture Events

As New York State’s early-stage venture capital fund, New York Ventures is organizing several information-packed sessions at this year’s Summit. Check out the descriptions below and decide now to become part of the action. Participation in each session is limited to approximately 15 founders and you must be registered for the Summit to request attendance.

VCs Shaping Reindustrialization

Hear from venture capital leaders about the investment opportunities shaping the future of reindustrialization and the role venture capital plays in supporting emerging industries.

Featured Speakers:

• Bryanna Samuels, Director, NY Ventures
• Zak Schwarzman, General Partner, MetaProp
• Jeanne Casey, Head of Nuveen Real Asset Ventures
• Lisa Morales-Hellebo, Founder & Managing General Partner, REFASHIOND Ventures 

The Imperfect Pitch: Storytelling at Pre-Seed

At pre-seed, nothing is ever perfect. You’ll never have enough traction, enough team, or enough proof. That’s not a problem to fix before you raise money. It’s part of the journey. Typically, the founders who raise well aren’t the ones with the cleanest metrics. They’re the ones who know how to tell the story: what to lead with, what to leave out, and how to turn an honest weakness into a credible plan.

This interactive workshop is for pre-seed and early-stage founders who are building their pitch or getting ready to raise. You’ll work live on the two hardest parts of any early pitch: making your real strengths impossible to miss and repositioning your real weaknesses so they read as managed risk instead of red flags. Expect to pitch out loud, get direct feedback, and leave with language you can use in your next investor conversation, not just slides.

Justin Kang, Co-Founder and Partner, at Visible Hands is your presenter. Visible Hands is a VC fund with a 14-week, virtual-first fellowship program that supports overlooked talent in building technology startups.

SIGN UP REQUIRED

The Metrics That Matter: How Investors Evaluate Seed & Series A Startups

Raising capital at the Seed and Series A stage requires more than a compelling vision. Investors increasingly look for evidence that a startup has identified the right growth engine and can demonstrate repeatable, efficient execution. Yet, many founders focus on vanity metrics rather than the handful of indicators that truly drive investment decisions.

In this workshop, founders will learn how investors evaluate early-stage companies through the lens of traction, growth, efficiency, and market potential. You’ll learn about the key metrics that matter most at Seed and Series A, including revenue growth, customer acquisition, retention, engagement, burn efficiency, and capital efficiency, while exploring how expectations evolve between funding stages.

Founders will gain practical insights into how investors interpret these metrics, common mistakes made when presenting them, and how to build a data story that strengthens fundraising conversations. Whether you’re preparing for your next round or looking to better understand investor decision-making, this session will help you focus on the numbers that matter most and confidently communicate your startup’s progress.

Ashley Ryder, Partner at VamosVentures, is your presenter. VamosVentures is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in diverse and underrepresented teams. 

SIGN UP REQUIRED

Rounding Out the Capital Stack

Featured Speakers:

• Moderator: Zack Pecenak, PhD, Director, Innovation, Venture Capital Fund, NY Ventures
• Melissa Withers, Founder and Managing Partner, RevUp Capital
• Ian Daigle, Investment Partner, Eastward Capital

Concept to Contract: How to Capture First Money & First Pilots in DeepTech

DeepTech startups face long R&D cycles, high capital intensity, and customer markets that demand proven technology before buying. Moving from prototype to commercial contract isn’t just about the science; it’s about early risk mitigation and smart customer acquisition.

This panel brings together investors and ecosystem builders from across DeepTech to share strategies for landing first pilots, securing early venture dollars, and building a commercial pipeline before a finished product is available.

Featured Speakers:

• Moderator: Josh Nelson, Senior Director, Pre-Seed & Seed Fund, NY Ventures
• Pete Mathias, Founder & Investor, Reveille VC
• Jon Schulhof, Managing Partner, Newlab Fund
• Andy Gollach, Partner, SOSV HAX

Ten Dysfunctions of a Startup

Hear from an entrepreneur who has built multi-billion-dollar companies from startup to scale—and now invests from the other side of the table. This session offers hard-earned lessons for founders building with focus, discipline, and conviction.

Explore ten common early-stage failure modes, including chasing volume before product-market fit, letting customers dictate the roadmap, overhiring, getting distracted by competitors, unclear pricing, and investing in roadmap work without commercial payoff. Learn how to replace these pitfalls with the focus and discipline that make companies stronger and more investable.

Dan Goldsmith, Co-Founder & Partner at Proofpoint Capital, is your presenter. Proofpoint Capital invests in early-stage Vertical AI.

LaunchNY Investor Connect

Launch NY Investor Connect is a service that connects startups raising equity capital with prospective investors. This is a valuable opportunity for startup founders to connect with investors who are interested in hearing about startup investment opportunities. Based on information you share about your company and current or near-term raise, Launch NY will make relevant investor introductions for you to follow-up with emails and scheduled meetings coordinated directly with the investor.

Fill out this form to participate

Are You an Investor?

We welcome you to join us at the Buffalo Convention Center in Buffalo, New York on October 27 – 28, 2026 and additional investor and founder only events. Please contact info@fuzehib.com.

“Manufacturing leaders made a stop in Buffalo on Wednesday to highlight an industry that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across New York.”

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Beyond Reach Labs Raises $10M to Bring Aerospace Manufacturing Back to New York

“Space infrastructure runs on solar power, yet the rigid panels that supply it weigh too much, cost too much and take up too much room on a rocket.”

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GlobalFoundries and TSMC Announce U.S. Manufacturing Agreement for Silicon Interposers in Malta

“GlobalFoundries has entered into a manufacturing agreement with TSMC to create a U.S. supply of silicon interposers for TSMC’s advanced packaging ecosystem, specifically its CoWoS® technology.”

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Alvotech, LOTTE Biologics forge U.S.-based manufacturing agreement for biosimilars

“The collaboration covers multiple biosimilar products to be manufactured at LOTTE Biologics’ Syracuse facility in New York.”

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The Origins: A National Strategy

Manufacturing Day began in 2012. The catalyst was a looming crisis: the “skills gap.” Leaders recognized that while manufacturing technologies were advancing, the public still saw industry as a “Rust Belt” legacy. That included the next generation of workforce talent, which was often encouraged to pursue careers in other fields.

Getting started took a team effort. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International (FMA), and several federal partners all worked together. One of those federal partners, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), leads the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), to which New York MEP (NYMEP) belongs.

In MFG Day’s inaugural year, approximately 240 events were held across the United States. They weren’t just open houses – and they still aren’t. Instead, they’re opportunities for students, educators, and parents to see for themselves that modern manufacturing isn’t dark, dirty and dangerous. Instead, it’s bright, digital, and highly skilled.

Why It Matters: Addressing the Skills Gap

Manufacturing Day isn’t just a series of events at various companies. It’s a matter of economic necessity. Research shows that by 2030, the United States will face a significant shortfall of manufacturing workers if more talent isn’t recruited. Ask any small-to-medium manufacturer about this today and you’ll probably hear that the problem isn’t four years away. It’s happening right now.

The good news is that public perception is changing. Today, Manufacturing Day connects local schools with regional employers. It’s part of a larger effort to ensure that vocational training matches the needs of nearby industries. That’s crucial because the same small-to-medium manufacturers who need workforce talent are the economic backbone of their communities.

Key Milestones and Growth

What started with a few hundred events has scaled exponentially. By 2016, the number of MFG Day events surpassed 2,800. By 2019, participation included all 50 states and Puerto Rico. In 2020 and 2021, local events adapted to the global pandemic by introducing virtual tours and digital career panels. NY MEP participated through Remo, a virtual event platform used by FuzeHub.

Pivoting during the pandemic seemed like making the best of a tough situation, but it expanded Manufacturing Day’s reach. Students took virtual tours of manufacturing facilities that were too far to reach on a school bus. They also gained insights from manufacturing leaders that they wouldn’t have met otherwise. Today, a hybrid physical-digital model remains a staple in some areas.

By the Numbers: Impact and Statistics

The success of MFG Day is tracked by The Manufacturing Institute. The data shows a significant shift in student sentiment after attending an event.

• Student Awareness: 84% of students felt more aware of manufacturing careers.
• Career Viability: 64% of students were more motivated to pursue a career in the industry.
• Parental Support: 71% of parents said they would encourage their child to pursue a manufacturing career.

FuzeHub’s Role in Manufacturing Day Across New York

Throughout October, FuzeHub is partnering with organizations across New York to connect students with manufacturing education and career opportunities. As part of National Manufacturing Month, FuzeHub, MACNY, and AIM are partnering with Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) on Manufacturing Day events. The month kicked off October 2 with a tour of MVCC’s Mechatronics Department for the Syracuse ITC P-TECH class, giving senior engineering students an inside look at programs and opportunities available after graduation. Upcoming events include a Worthington Steel visit for Rome Free Academy students on October 13 and an MVCC Manufacturing Day event for Syracuse Academy of Science students on October 22, focused on mechatronics, modern manufacturing, and career opportunities.

The Future of MFG Day – and Manufacturing

Today, some MFG Day events feature collaborative robots (cobots) or 3D printers. Others showcase the latest equipment for metal machining, plastic injection molding, or electronics manufacturing. By focusing on innovation and problem-solving, Manufacturing Day is much more than an open house. It’s a workforce recruitment engine.

Importantly, Manufacturing Day is also the start of National Manufacturing Month – more proof that October isn’t just about falling leaves and Halloween pumpkins. October is also the season for the New York State Innovation Summit, a multi-day event that unites manufacturers with technology leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Be part of the action. Join us for the New York State Innovation Summit on October 27^th and 28^th at the Buffalo Convention Center. There’s still room in the Exhibit Hall. Manufacturers who are referred by FuzeHub can receive a deep discount, so don’t delay.

“Annual Summit Gathers New York’s Technology Leaders, Manufacturers, Researchers, Entrepreneurs, And Investors who are Shaping the Next Era of American Innovation.”

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This Upstate NY product was voted the coolest thing made in the state

“Finger Lakes Textiles recently won the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in New York contest for its Arctic Gear hats, which range from winter beanies and balaclavas to trucker hats and baseball caps.”

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UAlbany symposium focuses on measuring nanoscale chip features

“October 22-23, the 2026 Albany Nanotechnology Symposium will convene at UAlbany’s ETEC Building, culminating UAlbany’s Research & Economic Development Week with a focus on the critical measurements used in advanced chip fabrication.”

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Manufacturing Month Kicks Off Across Chautauqua County and Western New York

“Throughout the year, and with an intensified focus during Manufacturing Month, Dream It Do It works with schools and manufacturers to move students beyond simply hearing about manufacturing careers to actually experiencing them.”

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TelosAir Inc.—a Clarkson University startup based in Potsdam, N.Y., in collaboration with university researchers and NASA’s Glenn Research Center—has developed the OPto-Electrical Real-time Aerosol sensor (OPERA), a compact, low-power air quality sensor successfully deployed aboard the ISS.

Monitoring air quality in spacecraft is critical to astronaut health and safety. Smoke particles can signal the earliest stages of a fire; biological particles can spread infection during long-duration missions; and future lunar and Martian habitats will need to detect dust that astronauts carry inside from planetary surfaces. And in the microgravity environment of space, large particles can clog the airflow pathways of conventional aerosol sensors and render them unusable within days.

Therefore, NASA needed a compact, quiet, energy-efficient sensor that could operate continuously and reliably amid the microgravity of the ISS.

Led by Professor Suresh Dhaniyala (co-director of Clarkson’s Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering and Science – CAARES), the OPERA sensor was developed using a novel focused light scattering technique, which eliminated the clogging problem of conventional designs and allowed the sensor to be compact, low-power, and quiet — meeting the strict operational constraints of spacecraft.

OPERA has operated on the ISS over the past year, continuously measuring airborne particle concentrations in the station’s microgravity environment, producing one of the first detailed records of particle levels aboard the station. The technology is also being advanced to identify specific particle types—including smoke, biological materials, and lunar dust—in support of future NASA missions to the moon and Mars.

The company has received support from several members of the NYSTAR network, including the Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAT), Shipley Center for Innovation (Hot Spot), FuzeHub (MEP), and NY Ventures (via Launch NY), as well as funding from NYSERDA for student interns to help with sensor testing and evaluation.

For the Rochester-raised Pensievision, the deep-technology company and first-place winner of Luminate NY Cohort 8 developed a precision imaging platform that combines artificial intelligence with astronomy imaging techniques to generate high-resolution 3D information using a compact, solid-state optical system with no moving mechanical components.

Traditional precision 3D imaging systems often rely on multiple cameras, lasers, structured light, or mechanical scanning. These systems are frequently expensive, bulky, power intensive, and difficult to deploy in harsh environments.

Pensievision’s solution: an AI-powered precision 3D imaging platform that combines artificial intelligence with astronomy imaging techniques to generate high-resolution 3D information using a compact, solid-state optical system with no moving mechanical components.

Thanks to support from Empire State Development through Luminate NY and the broader NYSTAR ecosystem, Pensievision was enabled to accelerate product development, establish its research and development headquarters in Rochester, expand its engineering team, build strategic collaborations with New York universities and international research partners, and propel the company’s flight hardware into successful environmental testing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

After further research and testing, the company developed two independent spaceflight payloads. The first imaging system, built for biological research in microgravity, was deployed aboard the ISS. The second system, for autonomous space imaging validation, was installed aboard a CubeSat launched on SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission.

With two active imaging systems now operating in orbit, Pensievision has demonstrated that technology developed and commercialized in New York can meet the demanding requirements of spaceflight while opening new opportunities in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare, with the same platform now being commercialized for precision industrial inspection, minimally invasive endoscopy, cervical cancer screening, and other medical applications.

Thanks to the many NYSTAR centers, hotspots and incubators for submitting their success story. Click here to submit your stories to share with the NYSTAR network— we want to hear from you!

“Initiative will support high-impact pollution prevention projects totaling $250K in 2026-27.”

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GlobalFoundries Finalizes $375 Million CHIPS Act Award for Onshore Quantum Semiconductor Fabrication

“Distributed over a five-year milestone-based schedule, the award accelerates the expansion of GF’s dedicated Quantum Technology Solutions (QTS) business unit at its Malta, New York manufacturing complex to scale domestic quantum hardware production from research prototypes to volume fabrication.”

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How DeIorio Foods is evolving a century of dough-making heritage into a custom manufacturing model

“In a market full of commodity dough suppliers, DeIorio Foods (DeIorio) has built its business on being something else entirely: a partner, not just a producer.”

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Governor Hochul Celebrates Completion of IMA Life North America’s $30 Million Expansion Project in Tonawanda

“Expansion Allows the Company To Create 70 New Jobs and Retain 195 Jobs in Western New York.”

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Let’s take a virtual trip along the I-90 corridor and meet a few companies that make some of what we need today. Then we’ll consider where to discover what’s coming tomorrow.

Precision Machining

Precision machining is the process of removing unwanted material from a solid block of metal, plastic, or composite to produce parts with very tight dimensional or geometric tolerances. It uses CNC machinery to achieve measurements that are sometimes measured in microns. For reference, a human hair is typically 50 to 100 microns thick.

Precision-machined parts don’t have to be small, however. In the Capital Region, Greno Industries uses precision machining to produce large parts for gas turbines, combustion engines that convert natural gas or other fuels into mechanical energy. This energy then drives a generator that produces electricity used by facilities such as AI data centers.

Injection Molding

Injection molding is a high-volume manufacturing process that injects a molten material into a metal tool called a mold. Typically, this material is plastic; however, elastomers such as liquid silicone rubber (LSR) are also used. After parts cool, they’re ejected from the mold and finished during post-processing. For example, excess material call flash or flashing may need to be removed.

That doesn’t mean injection molding is imprecise In Central New York, Tessy Plastics is a contract manufacturer of precision plastic components for medical, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic products. The company has ISO Class 7 and 8 cleanrooms, holds an ISO 13485:2016 quality certification, and is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Converting, Printing, and Packaging

Converting is a manufacturing process that transforms bulk materials such as sheets and rolls into functional components. It includes die cutting, a specialized process that uses a custom-made tool called a die to shear, cut, stamp, or shape thin materials. Some converters also offer printing and packaging services to provide customers with single-source solutions.

In Western New York, Tapecon is a leading example. The 100+ year old company makes products that include wearable skin tapes and patches, membrane switches for small electronic devices, and printed chemical indicators that the semiconductor industry uses to track moisture levels in packaging. These indicators can also be used to monitor shipments of perishable items such as food.

Made in New York: Today and Tomorrow

These are just a few of the manufacturing processes – and a few of the New York State companies – that make what we need today. But what’s coming tomorrow? To find out, join us for the New York State Innovation Summit on October 27^th and 28^th at the Buffalo Convention Center. You’ll learn about topics like the quantum revolution, the new space economy, and glass-based microelectronics.

“The Albany, New York-based company operates a 300-millimeter pure-play quantum wafer foundry backed by an additional $1 billion investment from IBM.”

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MCC opens new advanced technology center for high-demand careers

“A new $69.6 million advanced technology center is now complete at Monroe Community College, expanding training opportunities for students pursuing careers in optics, advanced manufacturing and other high-demand fields.”

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NSF advances NSF OPAL toward construction-ready design

“The URochester-led NSF OPAL project awarded initial funding to support the final design phase for a world-leading high-power laser facility.”

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The Buffalo Bills’ New Stadium is American-made

“Built with nearly 100% American steel, the NFL’s newest structure is a testament to the industrial history of Western New York.”

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Driven by strategic state investments, federal momentum from the CHIPS and Science Act, and a rich ecosystem of research institutions, Upstate New York isn’t just manufacturing chips – the “brains” of modern electronics. The region is reinventing how semiconductor innovation moves from the lab to the factory floor.

The Power of a Collaborative Ecosystem

What makes New York State different is its end-to-end innovation pipeline. For example, across the I-90 corridor, Upstate New York houses an unmatched cluster of research facilities, university labs, and commercial fabs – specialized manufacturing facilities where raw silicon wafers are transformed into integrated circuits (ICs).

In New York’s Capital Region, the NY Creates’ Albany Nanotech Complex stands as a global hub for semiconductor research and development (R&D). This 2 million sq. ft. facility brings together industry leaders, academic researchers, and startups all under one roof. Together, they’re pioneering the next generation of chip architecture.

Meanwhile, multi-billion-dollar investments from industry giants like Micron Technology in Clay, GlobalFoundries in Malta, and Wolfspeed in Marcy are cementing the region’s manufacturing scale. These facilities are expected to generate thousands of good-paying jobs while creating opportunities for local suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and service providers.

Strengthening the Local Supply Chain

Building silicon wafers is half the battle. Sustaining a robust semiconductor industry also requires a local supply chain. That’s where small-to-medium-sized manufacturers across New York State can play a vital role. From precision machining and custom tooling to advanced chemical packaging and industrial automation, the semiconductor industry needs top-notch suppliers.

The New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP) works directly with the state’s manufacturers to ensure they’re ready to seize these opportunities. By connecting local businesses with technical expertise, grant funding, and strategic partnerships, NY MEP helps manufacturers to scale their capabilities to meet the rigorous demands of a fast-growing industry.

Investing in Workforce and Future Innovation

Reinventing semiconductor manufacturing also requires a workforce that’s ready for these technologies. SUNY Polytechnic University, Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) and others are developing specialized curricula, apprenticeship programs, and cleanroom training modules to build a pipeline of technical talent.

Advancing Glass-Based Microelectronics

Another emerging area supporting the future of semiconductor manufacturing is glass-based microelectronics. Through Upstate Makes, FuzeHub is supporting Glass4Chips, an initiative focused on accelerating U.S. leadership in glass-based microsystems manufacturing and packaging.

Glass4Chips brings together stakeholders across the glass-based microelectronics value chain, including fabrication, assembly, validation, workforce development, and early commercialization. By connecting industry, academia, and ecosystem organizations around shared manufacturing, testing, qualification, and supply-chain needs, the initiative is working to address some of the barriers that can slow the transition of promising technologies from development to commercial production.

As the semiconductor industry continues to advance, technologies such as glass-based substrates have the potential to support the performance, scalability, reliability, and manufacturability required for next-generation microelectronics. Initiatives like Glass4Chips demonstrate how collaboration across the ecosystem can help strengthen domestic capabilities and move emerging technologies closer to real-world deployment.

Looking Ahead

Upstate New York’s transformation into America’s “Silicon Empire” is more than a regional success story. It’s a cornerstone of U.S. economic security and technological leadership. As advanced manufacturing continues to evolve, this combination of world-class R&D, strong supply chain integration, and a dedicated workforce are part of what America needs to succeed.

For more information about New York State’s innovation ecosystem and its commitment to supporting tomorrow’s technologies, join FuzeHub for the New York State Innovation Summit on October 27 and 28, 2026 at the Buffalo Convention Center. Now in its seventh year, this multi-day event features expert speakers, breakout sessions, an exhibit hall, and much more.