Tech Valley Center of Gravity

08/18/2026

COG member Sam Wechsler participated in the DARPA Heavy Lift Challenge, vying after the $6.5 million prize for the first team to build a vertical takeoff and landing drone weighing 55 pounds or less capable of carrying a 220 lb payload over a 5-nautical-mile course. While his entry didn't do so well, he spent time getting to know some of the more unique designs. Check out his interviews!

These were the coolest drone designs at the DARPA Heavy Lift Challe...

07/14/2026

Startups! Check out this funding opportunity!

Applications are now open for the 2026 New York State Commercialization Competition, and eligible NYS startups have the opportunity to compete for a share of up to $420,000 in funding to accelerate commercialization.

Join our free informational webinar on Tuesday, July 14 at 10:00 AM ET to learn more about:
• Eligibility requirements
• The application process
• Key deadlines
• What applicants need to know before submitting

Whether you're preparing your application or exploring commercialization opportunities, this webinar will provide valuable insights to help you navigate the competition process.

📅 July 14, 2026
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM ET

Register today and learn how your startup can compete for funding: https://bit.ly/4eOdoCF

07/13/2026

Interested in making? Have a creative hobby or business but limited access to tools and workspace? Come check out your local makerspace!
On July 18th from 10am - 1pm, TVCOG will be open to the public. Take a self guided tour, talk with current members, and see what is new in the space!
It will also be one of our STEAM-Powered Saturday children’s workshops, so bring the whole family to make glowing blooms while you explore.

07/02/2026

Check out what is going on this month at TVCOG!

July 18th, 10am-1pm: Open House
Interested in making? Have a creative hobby but limited access to tools and workspace? Come check out your local makerspace!

July 18th, 1:30pm: Class: Silver Rings
Learn how to make 3 custom silver rings! This beginner-friendly class will introduce you to finding a ring size, the sizing process during creation, and how to use silver solder. Each ring provides a chance to use a different jeweler’s torch, giving you the ability to assess what you need for future projects.
Register today at www.tvcog.net/group

06/28/2026

Applications for our Digital Fabrication for Artists Residency close TOMORROW, June 29th! Be sure to apply so you don’t miss out on this amazing program! Residents will learn various digital fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC routing, vacuum forming, and more. Then, with a $500 materials stipend, participants will make a project with their newfound skills for their final showcase. All of this and more are offered FOR FREE.

Go to www.tvcog.net/residency to learn more and apply.
Participants will join a cohort of residents from both this program and the Entrepreneurship Residency, enabling collaboration and creative collisions across fields.

Thank you to the Howard and Bush Foundation, and The Arts Center of the Capital Region for sponsoring this residency track!

The Arts Center of the Capital Region’s Statewide Community Regrant Program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

06/27/2026

Applications for our Digital Fabrication for Artists Residency close June 29th!
This program offers:
- Classes and trainings in digital fabrication techniques including 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC routing and more.
- 24/7 access to TVCOG’s tools and equipment, for both personal projects and your final showcase.
- A $500 materials stipend for your final project.
- A Final Showcase at Troy’s Annual Victorian Stroll.
For Free!

Go to www.tvcog.net/residency to learn more and apply.
Participants will join a cohort of residents from both this program and the Entrepreneurship Residency, enabling collaboration and creative collisions across fields.

Thank you to the Howard and Bush Foundation, and The Arts Center of the Capital Region for sponsoring this residency track!

The Arts Center of the Capital Region’s Statewide Community Regrant Program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

06/26/2026

We are at part 3 of our deeper look at our Digital Fabrication for Artists Residency! This is the last piece of the program, Share!

After making your signature project during the Create phase, you will display it alongside any other work of your choice during Downtown Troy’s Annual Victorian Stroll! You can also sell your work as a part of our annual Makers Market during the event. Your project, learning journey, and personal work will be included in TVCOG’s media, allowing you to share how your newfound skills have impacted your art.

Applications are due June 29! Go to www.tvcog.net/residency to apply or learn more. Residency options for hardware-based startups are also available.

Thank you to the Howard and Bush Foundation, and The Arts Center of the Capital Region for sponsoring this residency track!

The Arts Center of the Capital Region’s Statewide Community Regrant Program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

06/25/2026

What would it look like if we removed the biggest barriers facing hardware startups? What innovative new ideas would come to life if entrepreneurs had free access to the right tools, mentors and space to work? These are the questions that led to us creating our innovative new Entrepreneurship Residency.

This year-long, flexible program will provide residents with entry into our NYS-certified Incubator program, 24/7 access to TVCOG's fabrication equipment, dedicated workspace, and custom mentor sessions- for free.

We can't wait to see what you'll make. Applications are open now at www.tvcog.net/residency.

Startups making physical products at all stages of production are encouraged to apply. Participants will join a cohort of residents from both this program and the Digital Fabrication for Artists Residency, enabling collaboration and creative collisions across fields.

06/24/2026

Today, we're taking a deeper look into the "Make" portion of our Digital Fabrication for Artists Residency.

During the “Make” portion, Residents receive a $500 materials stipend and 24/7 equipment access in order to create new original works utilizing the digital fabrication techniques they just learned! These final designs are displayed at Troy's annual Victorian Stroll celebration in December.

What would you make for your final project? Former residents have incorporated digital fabrication techniques into their work in unique ways, producing incredible new works, including creating candles from scans of their own hands, transforming original drawings to laser-cut art, creating custom tools for ceramics work, making CNC-routed sculptures and more.

Applications are due June 29! Go to www.tvcog.net/residency to apply or learn more.

We are thrilled to also offer an entrepreneurship residency this year; more information can be found on our website.

Thank you to the Howard and Bush Foundation, and The Arts Center of the Capital Region for sponsoring this residency track!

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The Arts Center of the Capital Region’s Statewide Community Regrant Program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

06/23/2026

Over the next few posts, we are going to take a deeper look into each of the 3 parts of our Digital Fabrication for Artists Residency. First up is Learn!

For this portion of the residency, you will attend a carefully curated series of Digital Fabrication classes, get one-on-one mentorship and get access to all of our events and trainings for FREE. The Digital Fabrication class series includes classes on 3D design, 3D printing, vacuum forming, laser cutting, and CNC routing. When you finish the residency, you will be able to create original designs on the laser cutter, 3D-printers and other tools!

Apply today: www.tvcog.net/residency

If you, or someone you know, is an entrepreneur, we also have our Entrepreneurship Residency! You can find more information about this track on our website.

Thank you to the Howard and Bush Foundation, and the The Arts Center of the Capital Region for sponsoring this residency track!

The Arts Center of the Capital Region’s Statewide Community Regrant Program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.