Upstate ↔ Downstate Climate Tech Week
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.
12:00 PM – Registration
Location: By ETEC Main Entrance
1220 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Parking is completely free, no need to use meter.
12:15 PM – Introduction
Location: ETEC Multipurpose Room
Speakers: kesh kesavadas + Zack Pecenak
12:30 PM – Panel: Startup Growth & Financing
Speakers: Andrew Lee (Innovia Geo), Peter Crysdale (Elective Power), Matthew Desmarais (Energy Catalyst Technologies), Julien Bouget (re:Charg-e)
Moderators: Cullen Kasenic + Ryan Gallup
1:30 PM – Lunch & Networking
Location: Outside Multipurpose Room
2:45 PM – Panel: Building Through Uncertainty
Speakers: Dan Fitzgerald (ShortFifth; formerly Key Capture Energy), Alan Evans (re-wire), Stephen Lomnes (Ecovative)
Moderator: Heidi Knaubloch
3:45 PM – Cleantech Accelerator at INSPYRE, Powered By National Grid
Speakers: Brad Banikowski + Emad Rahim
4:00 PM – GTM office hours by Startup IQ
Speaker: Jack Nolan, Bogdan Stanciu, Michael Queralt
5:30 PM – Hosted Happy Hour
Location: City Line Bar & Grill – 1200 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Sponsored by: Cullen Kasenic + Ryan Gallup
Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: Empire State Development hosted by NY Ventures
Sponsors: Hudson Valley Venture Hub, Center for Economic Growth, Solve: Resource and Energy Associates, Startup IQ, University at Albany
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.
It is easy to come along for the Newlab experience.
Just register for the Albany event, let us know you would like to join the bus, and we will provide you with a registration link and code to complete your Newlab registration. The discounted registration fee is $36, which includes the bus ride.
7:30 AM | Bus departure from 649 Bloomingrove Dr., North Greenbush, NY 12144 (Defreetsville Park and Ride)
8:30 AM | Bus departure from 116 Ny-28, Kingston, NY 12401
11:00-7:00pm | Attend Newlab’s New Climate Futures with other Upstate NY founders
7:00PM | Return trip to Albany/Kingston
👉 Note on registration: All Newlab participation requires approval. Once you indicate your interest, you will be provided an access code to complete your registration. Please register quickly, as several Climate Week events are already selling out.
Newlab Registration Link:
New Climate Futures 2025 – A Newlab Event
This code offers a 20% discount on the GA ticket price ($36): Given at Registration