Where Deals, Capital and CEOs Connect
The Buffalo Private Equity Summit is Upstate New York’s premier gathering for private equity professionals, business owners and transaction advisors.
Over two days, the Summit brings together leaders across the investment ecosystem to explore growth capital, liquidity strategies and regional market opportunities—while building the relationships that drive deals forward.
What You’ll Gain
- Insights into private equity trends, capital markets and economic outlooks
- Real-world perspectives from CEOs navigating growth, succession and liquidity events
- Access to high-quality deal flow and regional investment opportunities
- Meaningful connections with investors, advisors and business owners
- Practical frameworks for ESOPs, recapitalizations and exit strategies
Built for Investors and Business Owners
The Summit is designed to bring together:
- Private equity professionals
- CEOs and founders
- Investment bankers
- Legal and accounting advisors
With a focus on transaction-driven content and relationship building, the event creates an environment where conversations turn into opportunities.
CEO-Focused Content
Hear directly from business owners who have navigated:
- ESOP transactions
- Private equity recapitalizations
- Growth capital investments
- Founder-led scaling strategies
Market Intelligence & Capital Trends
Stay ahead of the market with sessions covering:
- Economic and private equity outlook for 2026
- Regional transaction case studies
- Capital partner strategies across PE, family offices and independent sponsors
ESOP & Liquidity Workshop
A deep dive into ESOPs as a strategic exit and wealth-building tool.
- Compare ESOPs, private equity recapitalizations and strategic sales
- Learn from real transaction case studies
- Hear perspectives from financing, legal and advisory partners
AI in Private Equity
Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the investment landscape.
- AI in deal sourcing and diligence
- Operational impact within portfolio companies
- Risks, limitations and future outlook
Women in Private Equity
Dedicated programming designed to strengthen connections and engagement across the Women in PE network.
Day One Agenda: September 22, 2026 Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, 4th Floor, 125 Washington Street, Buffalo
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Registration & Networking
Attendee check-in and opportunity to connect with sponsors, speakers, investors and business leaders before programming begins.
3:00 PM — 3:10 PM
Welcome Remarks
3:10 PM — 4:10 PM
Owning the Narrative: How Alternative Investment Managers Build and Control Their Public Profile — Sponsored by ASC Advisors
The panel will explore how private equity and alternative investment firms shape and manage their reputations with LPs, portfolio company management teams, recruits, regulators and business partners. As audiences become more sophisticated — and AI increasingly influences how information about firms is discovered and interpreted — the discussion will examine how managers can take a more proactive approach to communications, legal and compliance considerations, stakeholder engagement and overall public positioning.
Moderator: Taylor Ingraham — Partner, ASC Advisors
Panelists:
- Jane Shahmanesh — Managing Director, Abide Consulting
- Andrea Vossler — Partner, Lippes Mathias
- Randy Bianchi — Managing Partner, Lakelet Capital LLC
- A. David Kocen — Managing Partner, Bluehenge Capital Partners
4:10 PM — 4:15 PM
Networking and Refreshment Break
4:15 PM — 5:15 PM
Growth, Transition & Liquidity: Real CEO Experiences
For business owners, deciding how to fund growth, bring in a capital partner, transition ownership or pursue an exit can be among the most consequential decisions they make. This candid CEO conversation brings together business owners and operators who have taken different paths — from building and selling a company, to acquiring and scaling a business, to partnering with outside investors while continuing to lead.
Panelists will share the decisions that shaped their paths, what they wish they had known before a transaction, how relationships with investors and advisors affected the outcome, and how ownership changes impacted their companies, employees and roles as leaders. The discussion will offer practical perspectives for CEOs considering what comes next — whether that means accelerating growth, taking on capital, pursuing acquisitions, creating liquidity or preparing for an eventual transition.
Moderator: John J. Koeppel — Partner, Lippes Mathias
Panelists:
- Scott Hamberger — Partner, Blue Valley Capital
- Jason Ruhlman — Owner, LINC Products and Services
- Ree Dolnick — Founder and CEO, Jeca Natural Foods Corporation
- Todd Kilburn — Former Founder & CEO of The Precision Group and Former Chief Strategy Officer of Powervac of Michigan
5:15 PM — 5:30 PM
Networking and Refreshment Break
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Beyond the Scoreboard: Leadership, Legacy and the Business of Sports A Conversation with Larry Quinn and Frank Cravotta
We are pleased to welcome Larry Quinn, former President & Managing Partner for the Buffalo Sabres and Frank Cravotta, Senior Vice President of Design & Stadium Operations for the Buffalo Bills, for a fireside chat on leadership, ownership, risk and the relationship between professional sports and community identity.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Evening Reception | 5th floor terrace of Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sponsor Dinners
After 9:00 PM
Optional After Hours Networking
Day Two Agenda: September 23, 2026 The Westin Buffalo — Louis Ballroom, 250 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo
8:00 AM — 8:30 AM
Registration and Breakfast — Open to all attendees
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
At the Table: Women Shaping the Future of Private Capital — Sponsored by Blue Highway Capital
Women are playing increasingly influential roles across the private capital ecosystem—from investing and lending to advising companies through growth, transactions and ownership transitions. This conversation brings together leaders from private equity, banking, accounting and law to discuss what they are seeing in today’s deal market and how women are helping shape the next generation of investment and business leadership.
The panel will explore trends in capital deployment, founder and family-business transitions, succession planning, deal execution and value creation, while also discussing the importance of relationships, networks and diverse perspectives in building successful companies and transactions. Panelists will share lessons from their own careers and perspectives on where they see opportunities emerging for women across private equity and the broader community.
Panelists:
- Karin Gregory — Co-founder and Managing Partner, Blue Highway Capital
- Kelsey Thomas — Partner, Withum
- Molly Hugar — Commercial Leader, KeyBank
- Kate Polozie — Partner, Woods Oviatt Gilman
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Networking + Registration
Network and continue the conversation.
10:15 AM – 10:20 AM
Opening Remarks
Shelby Schneider, President & CEO, Upstate Capital Association of New York
10:20 AM – 11:15 AM
State of the Economy: Where Capital is Moving in 2026
This session will provide a high-level look at the economic and capital markets environment shaping private equity, M&A and investment activity in 2026. The discussion will examine how interest rates, credit conditions, capital availability and investor sentiment are influencing fundraising, valuations, transaction activity and exit opportunities.
The conversation will also explore where investors are seeing the strongest opportunities across sectors and asset classes, how emerging technologies such as AI are influencing investment decisions and business strategy, and what market participants should be watching as capital deployment evolves over the next 12–24 months.
Kyle Larson, CFA, Senior Vice President, Wilmington Trust, N.A.
11:25 AM – 12:15 PM
SBICs in 2026: Where Capital Is Flowing
The SBIC marketplace is evolving rapidly, shaped by changes in policy, fund structures, institutional participation and investor appetite. This panel will bring together perspectives from across the capital stack to examine how LPs and GPs are approaching the market, how funds are being formed and where capital is being deployed.
The conversation will explore changes in the policy and market environment, growing institutional interest in the asset class, fundraising and investment strategies, and where opportunities are emerging across private equity, private credit, manufacturing, technology and the middle market.
Panelists:
- Peter Leonard — KeyBank
- A. David Kocen — Founding Partner, Bluehenge Capital Partners
- Erin Andrew — Senior Managing Director, Turning Rock Partners
- Trevor Messerly — Managing Director and Chief Credit Officer of the Direct Credit team, Hamilton Lane
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Lunch and Networking
1:45 PM – 2:35 PM
The Silver Tsunami Is Here: Turning Ownership Transition into the Next Wave of Middle-Market Deal Flow
Thousands of founder- and family-owned businesses are approaching generational transitions, creating a significant pipeline of potential middle-market transactions. This panel will explore what makes these companies transaction-ready, how owners are weighing succession and liquidity options, and where private equity investors may find the next wave of deal flow.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Kate Polozie — Partner, Woods Oviatt Gilman
- Richard Gioia — Founder, Gioia Capital
- David DiNolfo — Partner, The Bonadio Group
- David N. Deutsch — Founder and President, David N. Deutsch & Company
2:35 PM — 2:50 PM
Networking and Refreshment Break
2:50 PM — 3:40 PM
AI: Opportunity or Disruption to Your Business?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how companies operate, compete and grow. For investors and the businesses they back, AI presents both powerful opportunities and potential disruption.
This session will explore how investors are using AI within their own firms, how portfolio companies are adopting AI to drive growth and efficiency, and where AI may pose competitive risks to existing business models.
Panelists:
- Mike Paniccia — Vice President, Argosy Capital
- Garrett Snyder — Account Executive, AlphaSense
- F. Paul Greene — Partner, Chair of the Privacy and Data Security Practice Group, Harter Secrest Emery, LLP
4:00 PM
Event Concludes
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Private equity investors and capital providers
- Business owners and CEOs exploring growth or exit strategies
- Investment bankers and deal professionals
- Legal, accounting and advisory firms
- Emerging professionals in private markets
SPONSORS
Interested in sponsoring the Buffalo Private Equity Summit?
REGISTRATION
Registration: $250
Join 150+ attendees for two days of insights, connections and deal-making opportunities in Buffalo.
Book Your Stay for the Buffalo Private Equity Summit
We’re pleased to offer a discounted room block at The Westin Buffalo for attendees of the Upstate Capital Buffalo Private Equity Summit.
Room Rate: $329 per night
Available Dates:
- September 22, 2026
- September 23, 2026
(Room options: Traditional King or Two Queens)
Secure your stay at this centrally located, upscale hotel just steps from the summit venue.
Important Deadlines:
- Room Block Cutoff: Tuesday, September 01, 2026
Availability is limited, so we encourage you to book early.
Annual Sponsors
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ABOUT UPSTATE CAPITAL
Since 2003, Upstate Capital has connected the investment community across New York State, increasing access to capital for companies and deal flow for investors. Through events, membership and strategic initiatives, the organization supports a strong and growing private markets ecosystem.