Companies – CapNY

Cohoes: A CapNY City The Nation is Watching

Updated: July 2025

“One groundbreaking achievement that stands out is the floating solar array on the water reservoir, a project that makes Cohoes the first in the nation to generate 100% municipal electricity while offering 40% surplus energy to the school district. This has not only been environmentally conscious but also instrumental in promoting Cohoes on a national and global scale, attracting the attention of businesses and governmental bodies.”

In the heart of New York’s Capital Region, Joseph’s journey has been part of the driving force behind the resurgence of Cohoes. Born in Greene County of CapNY, he embarked on a path that took him from Albany to Seattle and back again, eventually leading him to become the City Planner of Cohoes in 2019.

With a background in city planning and hands-on experience in construction oversight acquired in Seattle, he wound up in CapNY with a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm.

He discovered a unique niche in working on energy-related projects, not only saving the city money but also allowing them to reinvest in critical programs such as social services and capital projects. Over the span of four years, he and his team leveraged an impressive $35 million in public funding to attract and retain private investments.

In the past two years, Cohoes has seen a remarkable transformation guided by three key pillars: infrastructure development, the restoration of historic buildings, and environmental sustainability.

Cohoes has invested heavily in infrastructure improvements, including upgrading sidewalks, planting trees, enhancing parks, and creating a stunning waterfront park complete with a dock. The emphasis on green spaces and livability has attracted new businesses, residents, and investors, marking a notable difference from seven years ago. The city has also introduced charging stations for electric vehicles, making it more attractive for environmentally-conscious individuals and businesses.

Cohoes recognized the value of preserving its historic architecture. Significant funds have been allocated to restore iconic buildings like City Hall, the library, and the music hall. What’s particularly innovative is the city’s commitment to making these buildings carbon-neutral, pioneering the removal of gas and making them the first of their kind in the state and the nation. The Cohoes Music Hall stands as the first carbon-neutral music venue in the country, showcasing Cohoes’ commitment to sustainability.

To encourage private building and homeowners in downtown Cohoes to modernize their properties while respecting their historical significance, the city has offered open tax incentives. This initiative breathes new life into the city’s architecture while preserving its rich heritage.

Cohoes is now witnessing the development of new rental and commercial units, creating a more dynamic and attractive urban landscape.

Further contributing to Cohoes’ transformation, the introduction of new recycling bins for every member of the community, combined with efforts to improve street lighting, has been instrumental in securing additional grants and enhancing the city’s appeal.

One groundbreaking achievement that stands out is the floating solar array on the water reservoir, a project that makes Cohoes the first in the nation to generate 100% municipal electricity while offering 40% surplus energy to the school district. This has not only been environmentally conscious but also instrumental in promoting Cohoes on a national and global scale, attracting the attention of businesses and governmental bodies.

Cohoes has become a magnet for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The city’s unique blend of history, compact downtown, and picturesque waterfront location, free from high-rises, sets it apart. Its strategic location near Interstate 787 and the Thruway offers untapped potential for investment and growth.

Local businesses are thriving, with establishments like Smith’s Taproom bustling with activity from afternoon to evening. Cohoes’ strong sense of community, combined with word-of-mouth recommendations from established entrepreneurs, has drawn businesses, breweries, and restaurants to the city.

The city’s downtown area is a prime example of revitalization, with a single main street boasting historic storefronts, commercial spaces, outdoor dining, and parks, all within a compact .75-mile radius.

Cohoes Falls, a hidden gem, attracts 20,000 visitors annually without any advertising, showcasing the city’s natural beauty and the potential for further growth. The beauty of spots like Cohoes Falls and Peebles Island State Park offer resons for residents and tourists to explore the area.

The Cohoes Music Hall, which hosts concerts, ghost tours, and events like the Mac and Cheese Bowl, is a cultural hub that brings the community together. The city has cultivated a strong sense of community through events like the Trunk or Treat and the Rock the Block concert series.

Cohoes is home to many people with rich histories, who deeply care about the place they call home. This is reflected in the city’s welcoming and warm atmosphere.

Cohoes also nurtures the growth of unique businesses and groups, such as The Planter, Chocolate is Self Care, Chee-Bog, and Bye-i Brewery. The city’s local art scene has also flourished, with partnerships like the one with Albany Center Gallery, leading to stunning murals and galleries that have attracted art enthusiasts.

Cohoes’ transformation is a testament to the dedication and vision of people like Joseph Seman-Graves, who has brought about significant changes in land use, development, and environmental sustainability. The city’s unique blend of history, location, and community spirit has attracted businesses and residents, breathing new life into this historic city. Cohoes stands as a shining example of urban revitalization, showcasing what can be achieved with innovation, vision, and a strong commitment to preserving its heritage.

From Cashier to Marketing Coordinator: Mia’s Career Journey at Price Chopper

Updated: July 2025

Many companies locally and across the world utilize internship programs to attract, nurture, and retain young talent to their organizations. The goal of the Summer Internship program at Price Chopper/Market 32 is to provide professional experiences to students within their area of study.

The program is a 10-week program open to junior, senior, and graduate level students who desire real world, hands-on business experience, as well as a chance for exploration of the region.

“We gather as a group to support volunteer efforts within our Schenectady community. While also offering enjoyable things like month-long bingo activities, where interns would need to complete various tasks with the hopes of improving the quality of their experience. Lastly, a mentorship program was introduced this year giving interns the opportunity to learn and develop from someone other than their direct supervisor,” says Josh Deyo, Talent Acquisition Specialist.

Former intern Mia Teal is just one of the success stories from the program. From having a job as a cashier, to being accepted into the internship program after college and transitioning into a full-time career as Paid Media Marketing Coordinator at Price Chopper, Mia’s story exemplifies the transformative power of this corporate internship.

Mia was born and raised in CapNY, in Clifton Park, where she found her first job at the age of 17 at Price Chopper. As Mia pursued her college education, she maintained a connection with Price Chopper, returning to work during her school breaks. This continuity allowed her to cultivate a deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture. Upon graduating from college, she was offered a summer internship with Price Chopper.

The program featured two weeks of intensive in-person and online training sessions, reflecting the hybrid approach brought on by the pandemic. During this time, Mia was assigned various projects and worked closely with seasoned employees. Mia’s journey evolved as she transitioned from e-commerce to digital media. The experience broadened her perspective, as she realized there was much more to the grocery industry than meets the eye. She mentioned that she learned far more during her internship than she could have ever anticipated from her college education.

Price Chopper’s culture of collaboration and community engagement has left an impact on Mia. She’s been encouraged by leadership to get involved & give back to the CapNY community outside of her work responsibilities. A colleague introduced her to the Capital Region Chamber Young Professionals Network (YPN), which encouraged her to reach out, network, and participate in various community building & professional development activities. Mia found herself taking on tasks like editing podcasts, and her commitment led her to Co-Chair the Communications Department by the president.

Mia’s story is a testament to the upward mobility within Price Chopper. She noted that many employees had transitioned from roles like bagging groceries to becoming company directors, highlighting the company’s commitment to nurturing internal talent.

Beyond her professional work, Mia relishes the diverse experiences that CapNY offers. She enjoys hiking in spots like Lake George and Fort Ann, exploring local breweries, and practicing yoga at The Hot Yoga Spot. She finds the regions centralized location and its abundant recreational opportunities as one of the reason she decides to stay and build a life for herself.

Mia’s journey from a cashier to a Paid Media Marketing Coordinator at Price Chopper is a tale of determination, growth, and community engagement. Her experiences highlight the importance of staying connected with one’s roots and seizing opportunities for personal and professional development. In an ever-evolving corporate landscape, Mia’s story reminds us that success often finds those who are open to new experiences and committed to continuous learning and growth.

Learn more about Fresh Career Opportunities at Price Chopper/Market 32 here!

capital region capny future workforce Interns pricechopper summer interns

Making the Move from North Carolina to CapNY: A Career Transplant Story

Updated: July 2025

CapNY is booming with potential, opportunity, & young professionals from all over the world are making the move to our Upstate NY region.

You may have read throughout this website, and on the news, about local powerhouse Regeneron. Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases, from eye diseases to cancer.

It’s known as one of the hottest places to work in CapNY. In fact, Jackson Inchalik, Data Analytics Developer, moved from North Carolina to CapNY to take a job at this growing company. Here’s his story…

I graduated from High Point University in North Carolina in May 2020 with a job lined up at Regeneron as an Associate Data Developer. Because of months of Covid closures, I spent the final months of my college career with my family at home in Connecticut. When I was ready to venture out on my own, I moved in with another intern-employee conversion in the Rensselaer / North Greenbush area where I have since been living.

I studied Computer Science and Mathematics at my university with little background or experience in Pharmaceuticals. Based off recommendations from other students I had met at my school, I began applying to Regeneron’s established internship program. After initially being turned down from the program, I gathered experience working in IT at Ashley Furniture. The following year I circled back to successfully join Regeneron’s internship program for the summer between my junior and senior year. After a summer of extensive learning and development, I had received a job offer that I excitedly accepted.

Regeneron has done a terrific job of getting me involved with the local community. From helping in Special Olympics’ training during Regeneron’s Day For Doing Good, to supporting local businesses with our Veteran’s fundraisers, I couldn’t thank Regeneron enough for getting me active in the local community. Regeneron’s workplace values of transparency and teamwork also applies to their interaction with the local community. They dedicated themselves to a high level of involvement and they leave a substantial impact on their local communities each and every year.

I don’t think I will ever get over the natural beauty of upstate New York. Long car rides easily become a sightseeing adventure whenever you find yourself in a new area, and I have to admit that I find great peace in the outdoors, especially up here. One thing I was happily surprised by was activity going on in the area. I initially thought it would be much quieter in the region , but I quickly learned from colleagues about the surplus of activities there are between Albany and Saratoga. From horse racing to casinos to even watching a fellow employee’s local band perform at bars (Quick Fix!), there’s plenty to be explored.

capny regeneron relocation transplants upstateny

2 Hot Woman-Run Startups in CapNY

Updated: July 2025

Startup formation throughout Upstate New York has been second strongest in the Capital Region, according to a Center for Economic Growth analysis of data from U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics.

Our startup economy is booming and people, we invite you to BYOB (bring your own business) here to CapNY!

From incubators and co-working spaces to funding and entrepreneurial bootcamps, there are countless opportunities for you to secure the resources you need to build your business.

The Center for Economic Growth (CEG)’s Business Growth Solutions (BGS) unit offers a menu of support s ervices for entrepreneurs. CEG is also an operational partner of Innovate518, a collaborative effort managed by the University at Albany of incubators and accelerators and co-working spaces. The Capital Region Chamber provides support services for entrepreneurs including loan programs, entrepreneur boot camps and an MWBE program. Just to name a few…

Today, we’ll focus on two booming woman-run startups in CapNY that are making waves. Read on!

Inspect Point gives you everything you need to run a fire inspection business. It helps you perform more inspections, win more contracts, and grow your inspection business to new heights.

Jennifer Doyle, CapNY native & Co-Founder/VP of Customer Success, said “after graduating from The Sage Colleges, I worked at several technology companies in the area in the marketing departments. While I learned a lot during my time with each, I did not feel fulfilled. After several years of working in the area, I quit my job and started a consulting company with my then boyfriend (now husband).

The concept of the business was inspired by a friend in the fire protection space came to us upset with their current software solution. After doing some research on the other solutions, as well as the market space, we saw an opportunity to build something that the industry needed and went all in.

Having a support system, outside of work, has been vital to our success. Since all of us (founders) have grown up and attended college in the area (Sage and RPI), our families and friends have been able to help us with babysitting, hot meals, and support throughout the years. Growing up in and starting our business in the Capital Region has also given us the opportunity to lean on resources and people we have known for many years.”

Micropolitan Matchmakers, formerly Capital Heart Connection, provides matchmaking services, dating coaching, a podcast & more to help people in CapNY and other micropolitan areas “find their big love in their micropolitan region!” They’re the only matchmaking service of their kind in the region.

Founded by two CapNY natives and current Schenectady residents, Becky Daniels and Gabby Fisher. As two young professionals living in CapNY, they wanted to get off the apps and into the real dating world by curating singles events at local businesses. “As much as apps can help extend personal networks, it’s kind of dehumanizing,” said Daniels, “People aren’t people — they’re just a picture.” Diversity and inclusiveness play a central role, too. While both Fisher and Daniels are cis-gendered white women looking for men, “we really want to make sure the community is open for love across the spectrum,” Daniels said.

You can check out their services, listen to their podcast, join the free singles database, & find upcoming CapNY-based singles events, here!

“My husband and I traveled for many years before moving back to the area and starting Inspect Point. What drew us back here was not only family, but the proximity to hiking, restaurants, travel opportunities, and a great place to build a company. I enjoy hiking with my kids at Peebles Island, grabbing a coffee with my coworkers at JACOB ALEJANDRO, grabbing a beer with my friends at The Ruck, and enjoying a date night with my husband at Browns or Nicole’s.”

Jennifer Doyle

Inspect Point

“When I moved back after graduate school, I was lucky to have a great group of friends from high school to come back to. But I still wanted to expand my professional circle, find a mentor… and maybe some potential dates. There are so many ways to build a network. I found my people through joining the Palette Cafe Community and Junior League of Albany, attending events with our awesome local chambers and young professionals groups. Volunteering with community organizations including the local St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital team, New Leaders Council, and Capital Region Sponsor a Scholar also helped.”

Becky Daniels

Micropolitan Matchmakers

capitalregion mwbe upstatenewyork upstateny WomanOwned

4 CapNY Women Leaders in Technology

Updated: July 2025

Technology has been a driving force in CapNY’s economy for decades.

Women are entering the technology field at record numbers, but the field is still male-dominated. It’s vital that companies create opportunities for women to take on leadership positions in tech, and our local companies are stepping up. We’ve decided to highlight four CapNY women making their marks on the growing industry – locally, nationally and even internationally.

Founder & CEO CanCode Communities

Annmarie, you’re making strides with CanCode Communities. Talk about the “why” behind this accomplishment.

The professional accomplishment that I consider most important is the creation of AlbanyCanCode, now known as CanCode Communities. To start from scratch and bring together two dramatically diverse worlds – underrepresented individuals and the technology community – represented a Herculean effort. Women, minorities and the under-educated are being trained and given opportunities to work in the lucrative technology field. That is enabling them to provide for their families, contribute to their communities, and live the lives they deserve.

In my capacity as President of custom software developer Greane Tree Technology, my successful hire of a fully self-taught Ruby on Rails developer inspired the vision of Albany Can Code, now CanCode Communities. We work tirelessly in working to grow the New York State’s software sector, and to extend software and IT training opportunities to everyone who has aptitude for this work.

What’s challenging about this field?

According to the latest research, 4 of every 5 technology jobs are filled by men; in the executive ranks, the disparity is even greater. We need women inventing things, making things, solving important problems, and in positions of power. We need all of these things in far larger numbers than we have today.

Founder & CEO of 1st Playable Productions

Tobi, tell us a bit about your company and your day-to-day responsibilities.

My company 1st Playable Productions makes video games, both for entertainment, and also for education, health, and wellness applications. We are a B corporation, which puts social impact first, which is definitely a challenge in technology. As a startup in the RPI incubator, we located in downtown Troy in 2006, recognizing the impact of technology business location on arts, restaurants, and other small businesses. It’s such a great place to live and work.

Although I have been CEO since founding 1st Playable, my day-to-day responsibilities change constantly, depending on the company size, changes in technology, and client needs. My work includes game design oversight, troubleshooting software issues, bringing in Friday carbs, attending to seasonal decorations, and finding other socially minded developers to join our team. It’s hard work and long days but the positive impact to others makes it worth it to me.

How did you end up in this line of work? What’s rewarding about it?

I started my career at GE Research & Development working in emerging technologies in the area of computer networks. The path from there to games was an unexpected one, and added the new dimensions of art and design to my first love of technology. Video games was a field I hadn’t really followed – unlike today it was not front and center of youth connecting and socializing. I started as VP of Product Development, bringing all the process and technology I had learned previously but a lot of learning to do to understand the aesthetic and business aspects.

One aspect I immediately recognized was the power of games to inspire kids in education; to connect the dots between their day to day schooling and creating the immersive virtual experiences they spend so much time with. This became the focus of the company I founded.

Other than the motivating goal of social impact, video games itself is a volatile industry which is both challenging and appealing due to the constant change in technology and markets. If you love to learn it’s the place to be!

What is your advice to women wanting to enter the technology field?

As for being a woman in tech, I have become accustomed to being in the minority, and tried to embrace the challenges of needing to be work harder to provide myself, and needing to always be a role model and representative. I do think there are some advantages over time, for instance as a company we have never lacked for press coverage, due to the novelty of being a woman CEO of a game company.

I’ve seen a lot of positive change, yet still find my daughter facing harassment that I had hoped would have disappeared by now. My advice to women going into tech is to find places and people that are supportive. If not your workplace, then seek out peer groups of women and mentors. Other than helping you ignore the critics, they can help you find techniques to deal with the extra challenges you’ll face.

What do you love about living in CapNY?

I love the central location of this area, being equidistant from NYC, Montreal, Boston, and Rochester. Much as I enjoy visiting cities, I am most passionate about the outdoors and have a small homestead so keep busy with goats, chickens, ducks, bees and other outdoor activities. I find it the perfect antidote to spending the rest of the day at my computer. Beyond the day to day, I take advantage of the many cultural opportunities, ranging from concerts, outdoor festivals, broadway shows, feasts with friends. Just in Troy alone, there is so much to do: festivities like Rockin’ on the River, Pig out, Victorian Stroll, the weekly AMAZING Farmer’s Market, and galleries and art boutiques. Being a foodie I especially appreciate the great restaurants, breweries and distilleries in the region!

Founder of ecoLong

Nancy, tell us about ecoLong and how you ended up here.

ecoLong is a technology startup. Our mission at ecoLong is to build interconnected and resilient communities which includes the development of our blockchain based energy marketplace that provides communities with equitable access to clean energy. I founded ecoLong in 2015 and manage the day to day product and business development activities. I went to college thinking that I’d work in the finance industry and I probably could have found enjoyment in working in finance. However, it was the idea of creating a product that drove me to tech and captivated me to staying. I think there are challenges and rewards in any field of work but it’s all about finding the one that you are passionate about to find rewarding and willing to persevere in when things get tough.

What advice would you give to another woman looking to go into tech?

Never be the one to tell yourself no.

What do you love most about living in CapNY?My favorite part

The people. ecoLong wouldn’t exist today if not for the local communities that have supported us along our journey. If I’m not exploring a new hike around CapNY, you’ll probably find me getting Kurver ice cream.

CEO of Kitware, Inc.

Lisa, tell us about Kitware and your role in the company.

Kitware was founded in 1998 with an initial focus on scientific visualization (I am one of five founders of the company – the others are Will Schroeder, Ken Martin, Bill Hoffman, and Charles Law). Since then, we’ve grown to more than 230 employees across the US and France, and we’ve expanded into additional areas including artificial intelligence, computer vision, medical computing, and scientific computing. I served as Vice President, Commercial Operations until 2017 when I took over as CEO from Will Schroeder. As CEO, my role is to work collaboratively with all our technical and administrative team leads to ensure that we achieve our mission of advancing science and technology while also remaining a great place to work for all of our employees.

How did you end up in this field?

I went to school at SUNY Stony Brook (not far from where I grew up in Port Jefferson Station). I received my BS in computer science in 1989. Near the end of my undergraduate years, I became involved in a research group that worked in the area of scientific and medical visualization. I really enjoyed the process of taking raw data and turning it into images that accurately convey information and can lead to new discoveries. I continued at Stony Brook to complete my MS in 1990 and my PhD in 1994, specializing in volume visualization. I moved up to this area to work at the GE Research and Development Center in Niskayuna before leaving GE to work at Kitware.

I love working in computing – it requires a great mix of creativity and engineering. Throughout my career I’ve had a chance to work on a variety of impactful projects including surgical and treatment planning systems in the healthcare domain, and rendering, analysis and acceleration methods for volumetric data in a variety of scientific application areas.

What’s challenging about the work, especially from the lens of a woman working in technology?

Overall, the most challenging aspect of the work is the fact that you often don’t know precisely how you are going to solve the challenge when you first start the project. That’s also the thrilling part of it – you need to innovate to create something that doesn’t yet exist.

Women earn more than half of all doctorate degrees in this country, but when you focus in on computer science, that drops down to under 25% (source: NSF’s Survey of Earned Doctorates). That’s a serious problem because we need to view a challenge from all perspectives to develop the best solution. There’s no quick fix to this problem though – we have to start early, at the middle school and high school level, to attract young women into the field, and we need to make sure they feel welcome, comfortable and valued as they complete their education and pursue a career in computer science.

This field allows you to make the world a better place – something that women often cite as a primary motivating factor when selecting a career. It also generally offers great flexibility, making it possible to find a good balance between your career and your personal life. From the perspective of a woman in tech, I have to say it is a great career and I feel that I should be doing more to get that message out there to young women who are considering their future career options.

What advice would you give to another woman looking to go into tech?

First and foremost, you should pursue a career in something that you are passionate about, so that “work” is something you’ll enjoy doing. When evaluating tech careers, be sure to look beyond just the math / science / engineering knowledge you’ll need to acquire and also consider the ultimate impact you want to have with your career. A tech career is quite versatile – you could help build better wind turbines, detect cancer, or entertain the world. As you complete your education, look for whatever opportunities you can find to get involved in collaborative research projects to gain experience translating your technical knowledge into working solutions.

Part of the reason you love living in CapNY is the abundance of outdoor activities. Tell us more!

I love all the opportunities for outdoor activities in CapNY. I have been a distance runner since high school, and really enjoy the energy and sense of accomplishment from completing a road (and recently also trail) race. I’m not very fast, but that doesn’t matter because my primary goal is to just complete the race and have a good time. I am an introvert by nature, but there’s something about being part of a large group of people who are all crazy enough to get up really early in the morning in any sort of weather to run. I probably overdid it in 2021 (my closet is bulging with race t-shirts!), but there were just so many great races to run this year. One of my new favorites is a 14 or so mile trail race through Moreau State Park that is organized by Kitware’s CTO (and company co-founder) Bill Hoffman.

6 CapNY Gen Zs & Millennials in Manufacturing Careers

Manufacturing and technology have been driving CapNY’s economy for more than a century.

Backed by local Research & Development (R&D) centers at the Colleges of Nanoscale Science & Engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, GE Global Research, Albany Medical Center and the Pharmaceutical Research Institute, local companies across CapNY are able to retain their competitive advantages in the global marketplace.

Within CapNY, key technology and manufacturing career opportunities have been growing at an enormous rate. So, we’ve decided to interview six professionals who work in manufacturing – in direct and support roles – from three local companies with global impact; to hear from them about why they got into their line of work, the distinct rewards and challenges of it, and how being a part of the CapNY community has impacted their growing careers. One thing these Gen Z & millennial pro’s all seemed to have in common…they are thrilled to be part of an industry that has completely taken off and they cannot wait to see how their careers grow with it. See for yourself…read the profiles of each individual below.

Job Title: Engineer, Factory Automation
Age: 22
Hometown: Albany, NY and her family is from Puerto Rico
Currently Lives In: Malta

As home to a dynamic convergence of innovation, R&D and manufacturing, CapNY has emerged as a major global hub for development, commercialization and production of advanced electronics and semiconductors. At GlobalFoundries, thousands of skilled professionals are developing and producing next generation technology here that power and connect our lives in the global marketplace. Learn more about this industry here.

Tiffany, please give us a little bit of background surrounding GlobalFoundries and your role.

GlobalFoundries® (GF®) is one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers. GF chips are in laptops, cell phones, and even automobiles.

I started working at GF’s manufacturing site and headquarters in Malta, NY, about two and a half years ago as a Maintenance Technician and have worked my way up to my current role of Equipment Engineer in the Automation department by asking for the opportunity to help the engineers with projects.

On a normal day, I check in with the team on the floor to see if any vehicles are down (the little robots that deliver products from tool to tool), see what parts they may need, and ensure that regular preventative maintenance is being performed. I also work with vendors to make sure that parts are being kept in stock. In addition, there are continuous improvement projects, such as second sourcing materials for cost savings and things of that nature.

What do you enjoy most about your line of work?

When I first started, I would have said the coolest part was working with the robots. It was awesome to be able to fix them and see them travel around the ceiling. Now that I work directly with the tools, it’s very satisfying to see all the back-end processes that go into keeping the fab running.

I also really enjoy seeing the people on the team succeed. I was able to help one of my colleagues get into an electronic repair shop job with GF, and it’s something he’s really passionate about. It’s good to move up the ladder, but it’s also nice to bring others up with you…that’s what I try to do here.

Job Title: Wind Fleet Engineer, NA Fleet Reliability Operations
Age: 26
Hometown: McAllen, TX
Currently Lives In: Schenectady

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, CapNY stands as a strategic offshore wind component manufacturing and staging location. New York ranks second for clean tech patents, first for wind patents and fifth for U.S. Department of Energy R&D funding. GE Renewable Energy is one of the companies making an impact in this space. Learn more about the industry here.

Shalani, how did you end up in this field/line of work? What do you find rewarding about it?

I work at GE Renewable Energy in Onshore Wind Digital Services for the Composites Team in Fleet Reliability Operations. In this role, I work on a team of engineers that supports the operating fleet of wind turbines in North America to develop solutions to potential issues, and address questions from sites to keep the turbines in operation and producing power. Day to day, we utilize our material expertise, blade design knowledge, site history, and experience to aid wind turbine sites in the evaluation of the health of their turbines to ensure they are generating clean power optimally and safely.

After studying mechanical and biomedical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA I decided that I wanted to utilize my engineering background in an industry that was creating positive change and helping the planet. I previously interned at GE Aviation in college and knew that GE was a great place to work, and GE’s renewable sector offered a unique opportunity for a career related to my passion for the environment and conservation.

Two years later, the reward of working in a field that is supporting positive change is just as great. Every day we are faced with the challenging task of “keeping the lights on,” but working with a great team to support the operating fleet of turbines makes that challenge manageable.

What’s your favorite thing about living and working in CapNY?

The accessibility to nature. It’s an easy drive to the Adirondacks where you can hike or take a boat on the lake. I play in outdoor volleyball leagues and tournaments in the warmer months. I love the greenery of the region and try to be outside as much as I can.

Job Title: Commercial Leader, Offshore Wind
Age: 30
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Currently Lives In: Saratoga Springs

Mary, tell us a bit about yourself and how you ended up here.

I went to college out in the Midwest, and joined the Navy submarine force after graduating, so I’ve lived all over the place! This includes Charleston SC, Groton CT, Notre Dame IN, Washington DC, and Seattle WA. Currently I live in Saratoga Springs, NY with my husband and our dog and I absolutely love it.

I ended up here through sheer chance, if you can believe it! When I was getting out of the military, I was very concerned about starting a new job without fully understanding what I was signing up for (and not liking it). So I focused on finding a company that had a program designed for professional exploration in an industry I was excited about. GE Renewable Energy was the perfect fit, and I started back in September of 2019! I’ve had about 3 different roles before this current one, all in different parts of the onshore wind industry.

This current role I started back in May, and it’s on our brand-new US offshore wind team. The industry itself is very challenging since it’s so new: a lot of the elements we have to consider in constructing and servicing offshore wind turbines don’t have support/supply/operational networks yet! But the exciting side of that same coin is that we get to shape what that industry will look like for the coming decades. Making sound, realistic decisions and laying a solid foundation for a massive future industry is very daunting, but I can’t think of a better group of people to get the ball rolling.

What do you enjoy most about working for GE Renewable Energy?

Two things – Flexibility and veteran support. GE is incredibly supportive of a flexible work/office balance and in its employees trying new roles within the organization. Not only is remote work normal, but so is trying new jobs every few years or so. In fact, this is widely encouraged, as we always need new, fresh perspectives in our business! This was appealing to me because I know I’m a person that will want to try something new every few years, including international roles, and that is very much a possibility here!

Job Title: Account Development Leader
Age: 28
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Currently Lives In: Schenectady

Teresa, what’s your role at GE?

My current role is in wind turbine field service sales for customers who own/operate wind turbines in North America. My role is essentially to construct proposals for repair and upgrade services for wind turbine components and wind farm operations. To do this, I work closely with the customer to understand their priorities, then scope out the services needs including components, cranes, crews, and software. Then finally I work with my commercial team to provide strategic pricing and terms to give the customer the best value and optimize GE’s capabilities.

What’s challenging about the field you work in?

The main challenge is that the wind market is accelerating exponentially right now which is difficult to keep up with but rewarding to know we are part of something innovative and leading industry standards!

You’re a recent CapNY transplant, tell us about the move.

I relocated from San Diego to Schenectady in March of 2020 and needless to say was not met with the warmest welcome when I had to unpack my apartment during state lock-down. That said, the best personal benefit of the past year has all the nature I’ve been able to take advantage of – hiking, camping, skiing, kayaking – and road trips to small towns that I think I would have bypassed otherwise. The diverse and (relatively) long history in this area keeps things interesting everywhere I go.

Job Title: Production Supervisor
Age: 39
Hometown: Saratoga Springs, NY
Currently Lives In: Sacandaga Lake

Plug Power is the leading provider of clean hydrogen and zero-emission fuel cell solutions that are both cost-effective and reliable.

Nathan, what’s rewarding and challenging about your role?

We have a family mentality here at Plug Power. There’s always someone willing to help you out. They’ve helped my career grow. We work across department lines a bit, but we all work together for the purpose of streamlining our processes. I’ve been able to work my way up the ladder quickly here. I started working with Plug Power in a temporary position and now I’ve been here for four years.

It can be challenging to keep up with the ever growing production goals of this company. We’re looking to expand our company and continue to train our current staff to help grow the fuel cell industry.

What’s challenging about the field you work in?

The main challenge is that the wind market is accelerating exponentially right now which is difficult to keep up with but rewarding to know we are part of something innovative and leading industry standards!

You’re a recent CapNY transplant, tell us about the move.

I relocated from San Diego to Schenectady in March of 2020 and needless to say was not met with the warmest welcome when I had to unpack my apartment during state lock-down. That said, the best personal benefit of the past year has all the nature I’ve been able to take advantage of – hiking, camping, skiing, kayaking – and road trips to small towns that I think I would have bypassed otherwise. The diverse and (relatively) long history in this area keeps things interesting everywhere I go.

Job Title: Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
Age: 33
Hometown: Chester, NY
Currently Lives In: Latham

Diana, how’d you get into this field?

I grew up around horses and that’s what got me into manufacturing and engineering. We had all sorts of equipment on the farm and I always helped my dad. My brother and I were always out on four wheelers, building forts, and I realized that for a career I wanted to design and build things.

What drew you to Plug Power?

The opportunity for growth. The shift from carbon emissions and focus on the decarbonization of the world and the role Plug Power plays is pretty intriguing. When I interviewed here, they told me about the major growth they were going to experience. We are well positioned to be successful and expand. Plug is the future. We’ve found our direction and our executive team is full force about decarbonization and green hydrogen plants. We’re dominating the green energy market. We work in a fast paced and demanding environment, which is challenging but fun.

To learn more about the growing industries of CapNY, click here!

Gabby is a brand strategist, entrepreneur, real estate investor, matchmaker, & hypewoman. She is also the Lead Consultant on the CapNY Brand Initiative. She lives in Schenectady with her poodle Mochi and 60+ houseplants. Check out her website!

The New Tech Valley: 5 CapNY Companies With Global Impact

Updated: July 2025

Meet the amazing tech companies that make CapNY one of the nation’s fastest growing metro areas for manufacturing jobs!

We’ve Come a Long Way

In the late 1990s, under the moniker “Tech Valley,” NY’s Capital Region committed to competing with major tech players like Boston and Silicon Valley.

Now, CapNY has built a strong foundation of tech-centered education at RPI. Plus, companies like Global Foundries and General Electric — and others you’ll meet below — are making major strides in industries like medicine, software, semiconductors, and more.

CapNY has increased semiconductor patents and has been named a top contender location for tech jobs. Additionally, CapNY is one of the fastest growing metro areas for manufacturing jobs!

Here’s the scoop on some of the hottest CapNY “Tech Valley” companies you should know…

GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GF), Malta

GLOBALFOUNDRIES® (GF®) is a global semiconductor manufacturing company. Translation: GF produces chips that power everything from smartphones, tablets, and laptops, to 5G and automobiles! And, since 2009, over $15 billion has been invested in GF’s flagship manufacturing site, Fab 8, located in Saratoga County.

Worldwide, GF employees approximately 15,000 people at sites in 14 locations across the world. 3,000 of them work right here in CapNY. A 2018 Georgetown University study on the Economic Impact of GF on the Capital Region identified over 18,000 jobs created since 2009. There’s also been expansion of regional infrastructure, housing, entertainment, and other attractions in Saratoga County and the region overall.

GF is also committed to CapNY’s STEM education. “Our partnerships with the Capital Region’s colleges and universities help support our talent pipeline,” Benyon said. “(We’re) engaging K-12 students through science fairs, STEM expos, career panels and career fairs. We see STEM continuing to grow in our area, which is critical to our future talent pipeline.”

The range of opportunities at GF is impressive. “GF employs engineers and technicians, as well as people in IT, finance, business, operations and more,” said Peter Benyon, VP and General Manager at Fab 8. “Through our diversity and inclusion initiatives, GF is increasing representation of women and developing them at all levels within the company. Many of our women leaders have been recognized for excellence by community organizations.”

PVA, Cohoes

This Cohoes-based company creates equipment used in automated dispensing and spray coating across industries from automotive electronics, medical, alternative energy, and aerospace. Translation: PVA’s customers employ their robotics to precisely glue parts together or selectively apply a protective film on circuit boards to protect electronics from moisture, vibration, and foreign debris.

PVA is routinely recognized as an industry leader. They are a three-time winner of Circuits Assembly’s Service Excellence Award. And, to great acclaim, PVA developed and manufactured an emergency ventilator during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Being located in CapNY has been a huge positive for PVA. The Albany area is centrally located and has the benefits of a big city with a small city feel. The abundance of local colleges and universities provides a diverse, qualified pool of potential employees,” Hart said. And, “with customers around the world, the ease of Albany International Airport is vital. We have visitors and are shipping products daily.”

With sites in The Netherlands and China, PVA has a global reach from their Spindle City site. Exports account for over 60% of their total sales. Their customers are often in high volume manufacturing environments like China, Mexico, and India, according to Frank Hart, Managing Director – Global Sales and Marketing.

Kitware Inc., Clifton Park

Kitware creates custom R&D software solutions to help companies solve advanced scientific challenges. Some cool examples: They’ve built algorithms that can spot fake news or count marine wildlife, and technology that is used to help detect and treat cancer and plan complex surgery. Their computing tools can stimulate blood flow in the body for medical research, and others can analyze trends in climate data.

Founded in 1998 by Will Schroeder, Ken Martin, Lisa Avila, Bill Hoffman, and Charles Law, the leaders shared a passion to bring advanced visualization technology to the world.

Early on, Kitware secured funding from the National Library of Medicine. This success led to an open source business model that eliminates competition and encourages collaboration. Impressively, they’ve grown from five original employees to over 200 worldwide, with over 100 in CapNY. And,the company remains 100% employee owned.

“Kitware is proud to have our roots and our headquarters in New York’s tech valley. We are surrounded by so much innovation and growth,” said Lisa Avila, president and CEO of Kitware. “CapNY offers some of the best culture, arts, and leisure activities in the country. The region’s proximity to NYC and Boston, as well as the surrounding academic institutions, makes it an attractive place to live, work, play and learn.”

Vyv, Troy

Founded in Troy in 2012, Vyv (formerly Vital Vio) invented a revolutionary, UV-free approach to cleaning. Translation: Vyv’s antimicrobial lights allow people to live and work freely around Vyv lights, without the limitations of UVs. You’ll find Vyv products in overhead lighting, inside consumer products, behind elevator buttons, and in industrial processes.

Vyv began when CEO and co-founder, Colleen Costello’s grandmother contracted a serious — and preventable — MRSA infection during hospital stay. A biomedical engineering student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Costello’s research revealed that this was not an isolated incident. As a result, she and a team of engineers at RPI developed a smarter way to manage bacteria levels. Subsequently, Vyv invented proprietary continuous-use, UV-free antimicrobial light technology.

From idea to implementation, Vyv has found CapNY to be an ideal home to build upon that bright idea.

“This has been a great area to grow our company,” said Costello. “First, there is a high-quality talent pool coming from our universities. Also, the business ecosystems have helped us to grow. And, this area’s high quality of life make us feel fortunate to be part of this community.”

Vyv partners globally with FORTUNE 500 companies, including Delta Air Lines, Dorel Juvenile, Broan-Nutone, Middleby and a myriad of major healthcare systems.

Regeneron, Rensselaer and Troy

Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases, from eye diseases to cancer.

The company was founded by physician-scientists in 1988 and they quickly recognized the importance of in-house production capabilities. Therefore, they acquired the former Sterling Pharmaceuticals facility in Rensselaer and began making product for clinical trials.

Today, all of Regeneron’s nine FDA approved medicines are made at their production site in Rensselaer. In 2018, the company announced they would invest $850 million to expand existing operations and build a new fill and finish facility on Tempel Lane in East Greenbush.

Most recently, they stepped up to aid in COVID-19 treatment and research. Their antibody cocktail helps those suffering from the disease experience less severe symptoms and hopefully, make a strong recovery. More on that here.

When asked why Regeneron likes doing business in CapNY, Christine Childrose, Vice President of Human Resources responded, “The Capital Region has been a great place for Regeneron to grow and expand. In the last three years alone, we have hired more than 1,300 talented people with more than 30% of our entry level roles coming from local colleges and universities. With excellent school districts, an affordable cost of living, vibrant downtowns and a wide range of cultural and recreational opportunities, the Capital Region is also increasingly attractive to people looking to relocate for a better quality of life.”

global globalcompany techvalley

5 Companies With Unique Social Missions: CapNY

Throughout CapNY, you’ll find all different kinds of innovative businesses that impact their communities in various ways. In this article, we’ll focus on five CapNY businesses which have unique social missions and play an important part to the wellbeing of this region and its people.

CapNY Community-centric Businesses

These 5 CapNY companies have integrated social missions and community commitment directly into their business plans. Their work supports and lifts the people around them, and their leaders are actively contributing to causes that reach far beyond the bottom line.

Collectiveffort is a co-working, media and marketing firm based in Troy. “We tell real stories and create spaces that actually help people,” says Patrick Harris Jr., President of Collectiveffort. This mission is woven through the organization: a “creative agency turned social enterprise.” Collectiveffort provides creatives and companies with projects, resources and community, including:

#DoSomething, bringing creatives together to share and connect.
CollectiveffortTV (CETV) features a range of co-hosts and spotlights independent artists, while providing donation information.
Coworking space that facilitates organic and fluid interaction. They offer 1-on-1 micromeetings and access to in-house media production equipment to their members.
Ongoing film project, “Let’s Talk About Life,” addressing the gap between local residents and organizations.

Collectiveffort’s influence extends beyond its walls. Their deep engagement with the local community helps them broker conversations with stakeholders about development’s impact, particularly the impact on communities of color. CE is committed to innovative, supportive strategies for creative and community growth.

Content Director DeSean Moore adds, “We also work with large companies, who really want to see Black business entrepreneurs succeed. Collectiveffort helps these businesses transition into the digital age.”

Collectiveffort has established a trusted voice at decision making tables. They cultivate their own physical and digital infrastructure. They show the region how creative self determination can translate into meaningful change.

Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen is a Korean restaurant, local family farm and immigrant resource powerhouse all in one.

The restaurant is located in downtown Troy and focuses on wholesome food, supplied in part by their farm located in Cambridge. Thankfully, it has introduced Capital Region diners to Korean cuisine and culture. Take out services, event catering and kimchi workshops provide opportunities for customer interaction and education.

Sunhee’s empowers local immigrant communities, individuals and families in many ways. Sunhee’s non-profit arm gives local immigrants access to services, including three levels of free English language classes and a laptop grant program. Owner Jinah Kim, who recently began attending law school, and plans on adding legal services to the mix.

The restaurant provides both employment and professional development. As Jinah explains, “We provide jobs… in a space that’s not only safe for immigrants but also a great training platform. It’s great for transition.” Her experience in refugee resettlement and immigrant services helps her understand the needs and wants of the immigrant community. Sunhee’s is a fantastic restaurant and critical resource hub, both inside and outside the immigrant community.

Root3d is a project borne out of deep love for community wholeness. The mission statement says it all: “Root3d is devoted to making wellness accessible for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Healing ourselves is our birthright and we all deserve safe space to heal.”

Program offerings include workshops, yoga, group therapy, therapeutic theater, reiki and sound healing. Co-Founders Jamel Mosely and Rachelle Pean opened their storefront in Albany’s South End. They chose to create an inclusive healing space in an area where many services are not readily available. This thoughtful approach has blossomed into Root3d’s collective atmosphere. Root3d’s healers and facilitators have found a welcoming home for their work within Root3d’s warm embrace. The space is an incubator for local BIPOC healers to develop their skills and move toward launching their own projects.

Root3d is a supportive starting point for residents beginning their own healing journeys. In response to Covid-19, the center has moved most of its sessions online. And, it has adopted an entirely “pay what you can if you can” model, ensuring attendee’s continued access to services. Root3d’s personal investment is palpable. Jamel says, “We are thankful for people who have continuously supported both our teachers and facilitators of healing, as well as our community.”

Hudson River Exchange “activates spaces to bring together creativity and commerce” within the larger Hudson Valley. The company offers its members — local makers of various disciplines — support and commercial visibility.

Established in 2013, HRE has morphed through a variety of formats over time, including its annual makers market, a brick-and-mortar retail and rental work space, and more recently, an online store. Co-Founder / Director Stella Yoon explains, “Our programming is inspired by listening to emerging needs. We’re always asking what [makers] need and how we can do this better.” To that end, the company recently developed an innovative micro-lending program. 2.5% of online sales go toward a makers’ microloan fund with another 2.5% matched by HRE, coming to a contribution total of 5%. Loan are offered to network participants with 0% interest rate. They plan to expand upon this model over time, while also trying to demystifying money for participants.

HRE enables and inspires makers to invest in their work. Members past and present have opened their own storefronts and opened makers markets in and around Hudson. Above all, HRE helped members feel that their creative vision can flourish wherever they go.

Rock Hill Bakehouse is dedicated to the art of hearth baked bread and plant based cuisine. Owner, President and General Manager Matt Funiciello explains, “our mission is to make real food for real people.”

The company’s recipes are inspired by early to mid 20th century European immigrant communities in New York City. Rock Hill’s understanding of bread’s historical socioeconomic significance translates to its organizational values as well. The bakery pays a sustainable living wage, and includes employees in decision making. Staff unanimously supported management when they proposed the creation of a free community bread rack. Now Rock Hill offers approximately 100 loaves per day for locals in need, Tuesday through Saturday, no questions asked.

Rock Hill has a newly veganized menu, collaborating with local produce farmers and up-and-coming restaurants. A crowd favorite is the vegan pizza, made with their handcrafted dough, fresh veggies and delicious dairy-free cheeses.

Rock Hill contribute to a wide array of fundraising efforts. They provide free bread to Capital Region soup kitchens, food pantries and animal sanctuaries. The Bakehouse is looking forward to reviving their full calendar of community events, including Glens F alls’ longest running open mic series, once conditions allow.

Rio Riera Arbogast is a freelance writer focused on how creative entrepreneurship impacts the Capital Region’s cultural landscape. You can follow them on Instagram and Twitter at @riorawrites.

Community Creativity social mission

CapNY Essentials: A Guide to Black-Owned Businesses and Black-Led Organizations

Support 250+ Capital Region Black-owned business and black-led organizations by shopping, hiring, posting, contributing funds, volunteering, and learning more about what they do.

Click on the map, below, and you’ll find restaurants, moving companies, marketing and creative firms, artists, transportation services, and much more. This list is far from complete, and you can help develop it! Use this form to add businesses.

Downloadable Map

NOTES: Click on the square in the upper right to open a larger version of the map.

When you’re in the larger map, you can see a list of all of the businesses by clicking on the text that says “…X more” (to the left of the map graphic). Business names will appear, and you can click to get its information and location.

Printable Lists

To read more stories about BIPOC-owned businesses, organizations, and leaders across the region, click here.

Shout out to Shanekia McIntosh of ItheAbstract, Ashleigh Kinsey of AKDesign, and Ada Harper of 5!8BLK for their help creating this list. Photo credit: Soul Fire Farm

Black-owned Culture Organizations

8 Hot Digital Gaming Companies Flourishing in CapNY

If you thought that cutting-edge game development only exists in large metros such as Seattle or LA, think again!

CapNY has more than two dozen game development companies in Albany, Troy and Saratoga Springs, with new companies springing up in other cities, too.

Digital gaming companies in the Capital Region are thriving. Fantastic programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and other area colleges are producing gaming grads and entrepreneurs every year. Over 450 people worked in the region’s digital gaming cluster in 2020. The numbers are growing each year. Here’s a glimpse at 8 of these super-hot digital gaming companies.

Velan Ventures was founded in 2016 by Guha and Karthik Bala. (They were also the founders of Vicarious Visions, back in 1991.) They’re firm believers in the power and importance of the Capital Region’s gaming industry boom. The brothers purposefully built their headquarters in downtown Troy. They wanted their employees to be in walking distance to everything the city has to offer. Velan’s first game, published by Nintendo for Nintendo Switch, was the mixed-reality Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. They are in the process of launching a new title that will be published by EA. The new project brings fresh, innovative technology coupled with competitive, online game play.

WB Games NY is a division of entertainment powerhouse Warner Bros. They are located right around the block from Velan Ventures in Troy. The WBNY studio provides engineering / middleware expertise to support online game play for popular WB titles including Mortal Kombat 2, Injustice 2, and Shadow of War.

This woman-owned studio founded in 2005 specializes in educational games. They are located a block away from WB Games NY in downtown Troy. 1^st Playable Owner, Toni Saulnier, is an RPI alumni. Saulnier actively supports and hosts community initiatives such as Teen Game Workshop. 1^st Playable’s notable titles include Club Penguin, Cards against Calamity, Cooking Mama and Disney’s Frozen: Olaf’s Quest.

Founded by Brian Corrigan in 2012, the studio is located in Saratoga Springs. They exclusively support “PlayerUnknown’s Battleground” for PUBG. PUBG is among the most popular games in the world. They specialize in game feature design, UI/UX design, Unreal Engine development, and web service development. A true example of the ecosystem’s organic growth, Corrigan got his start at WB Games NY (formerly Agora ).

WolfJaw Studios, founded in 2018, is a block away from Network Next (see below) in downtown Troy. They provide online game services, player engagement and companion services for AAA game publishers. (AAA is a term used for games with the highest development budgets and levels of promotion.) Among their clients are Electronic Arts (EA), Epic, and Santa Monica Studios. Founder Mitch Patterson is an entrepreneur-at-heart. He even had a stint helping start-up companies as the former director of the Tech Garden in Syracuse, NY.

This Schenectady-based custom software firm has a burgeoning game development division. They build back end distributed services, integrations with web- and console-based AAA game clients, and disaster solutions, suspicious activity monitoring and other solutions. Jahnel Group is headquartered in the new Mill Artisan District. They are avid supporters of providing pathways into software development careers. Their Forward Motion Development program provides skills training to individuals with an aptitude for the industry.

One of downtown Troy’s newest digital gaming firms is Network Next. They offer a “neutral marketplace” to developers whose games are carried by networks that competitively bid for them. This frees developers from being bound to a single vendor. Company owner Glen Fiedler moved the company from California to Troy, NY, after seeing the rapidly growing potential that the Capital Region’s digital gaming companies cluster offers.

Companies Development Gaming

Category: Companies

Cohoes: A CapNY City The Nation is Watching

From Cashier to Marketing Coordinator: Mia’s Career Journey at Price Chopper

Making the Move from North Carolina to CapNY: A Career Transplant Story

2 Hot Woman-Run Startups in CapNY

4 CapNY Women Leaders in Technology

6 CapNY Gen Zs & Millennials in Manufacturing Careers

The New Tech Valley: 5 CapNY Companies With Global Impact

We’ve Come a Long Way

GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GF), Malta

PVA, Cohoes

Kitware Inc., Clifton Park

Vyv, Troy

Regeneron, Rensselaer and Troy

CapNY Essentials: A Guide to Black-Owned Businesses and Black-Led Organizations

Downloadable Map

Printable Lists

8 Hot Digital Gaming Companies Flourishing in CapNY

Stay Informed.

Quick Links

Resources

Get In Touch