Deals, News & Events for the Upstate Capital Investment Community
NHL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE IS KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR BUFFALO PRIVATE EQUITY SUMMIT
Keynote Speaker Michael Richter, NHL Hall of Fame inductee and President of Brightcore Energy will sit down with David Helgerson, Co-Head of Impact Investing at Hamilton Lane. Michael is a member of the NHL Hall of Fame after a 15-year career with the New York Rangers where he was a three-time NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup Champion, and Olympic medalist. One of his most famous accomplishments is taking the New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup win in 1994 after 54 years. Michael received his degree following his professional hockey career from Yale University. Since retiring from hockey, Michael has co-founded multiple investment funds and has been the President of Brightcore Energy since 2016. He has raised private equity to grow the business and expand its services reducing energy costs for commercial and industrial buildings and various other markets including commercial and community solar, geothermal, electric vehicle (EV) charging and battery storage.
Register today to hear how the lessons Michael learned in Hockey helped him as the President of Brightcore Energy.
MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
Introducing Upstate Capital Executive Committee member Sam Ticknor! Sam is the Principal at Union Hill Advisors. Sam currently leads business development efforts for Hamilton Lane’s $500M private equity and mezzanine debt direct investment platform in New York State. Connect with Sam on LinkedIn and at the Buffalo Private Equity Summit on September 21!
PE + M&A
Syracuse-based startup TCGplayer was recently acquired by eBay for a total deal value of up to $295M. The business is expected to remain rooted in Syracuse with Chedy Hampson continuing as CEO. “We will have the autonomy and flexibility to continue running TCGplayer just as we always have, and I will continue to lead the Company as CEO, ensuring our commitment to you and the entire collectibles community remains enshrined and protected long into the future,” Hampson wrote.
Schwartz Heslin Group announced that it has provided a benchmark valuation for Crown Point Telephone Corporation and its subsidiaries for the purpose of strategic and estate planning. Crown Point Telephone Corporation is an independent telephone company providing access, billing and collection services to interexchange carriers as well as the sale and lease of telecommunications equipment.
Paramax advised SouthPointe Ventures on the sale of its portfolio company, Sunbelt Packaging, to Envoy Solutions. SunBelt Packaging, LLC is a leading distributor of Industrial Packaging products that include corrugated, poly shrink films, stretch films, steel and poly strapping, hand and machine carton sealing tapes, and other flexible packaging materials.
MORE UPSTATE CAPITAL NEWS
The deadline for startups to apply to pitch at Invest NY: Climate Tech on October 19 at the University at Albany’s ETEC Center is fast approaching. Startups innovating in technologies and business models that focus on sustainability and decarbonization including energy production and utilization, advanced manufacturing, construction tech, resource use and reuse, and food and agriculture advancements are encouraged to apply to pitch. The deadline to apply is September 14.
Are you registered for Accelerate Hudson Valley on September 15? Upstate Capital is collaborating with Think Dutchess to help highlight innovation and entrepreneurship in the Hudson Valley. This event will feature conversations with local real estate investors building places to foster innovation, investor-ready startups raising capital, and investors, business leaders, and professionals supporting the innovation economy.
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September 25, 2026
Where Deals, Capital and CEOs Connect: Highlights from the 2026 Buffalo Private Equity Summit
Investors, business owners, executives and advisors gathered in Buffalo on September 22 and 23 for Upstate Capital’s 2026 Buffalo Private Equity Summit. Held at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship and The Westin Buffalo, the two-day event brought practical conversations about growth, ownership, investment and technology together with opportunities to build relationships across New […]
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August 10, 2026
Upstate Capital Welcomes Molly Hugar to Board of Directors
Upstate Capital is pleased to welcome Molly Daetsch Hugar, Commercial Leader at KeyBank, to our Board of Directors. Molly brings nearly two decades of experience in commercial banking, along with a deep understanding of the businesses, industries, and relationships that drive economic growth across Upstate New York. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with companies […]
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August 3, 2026
Raining with Opportunity: Highlights from the 2026 Saratoga Forum
Despite the rain, the 2026 Saratoga Forum delivered exactly what its theme promised: opportunity. Investors, business owners, founders, advisers and economic-development leaders gathered in Saratoga Springs on July 29 and 30 for two days of candid conversations, meaningful introductions and new opportunities to support the companies and communities shaping Upstate New York. The Saratoga Forum […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Keynote: Ed Mitzen on Entrepreneurship, Impact & What Comes Next
The 2026 Venture NY keynote speaker, Ed Mitzen, shared an honest and energizing perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership and the rapidly changing future of work. A serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and co-founder of the Business for Good Foundation, Mitzen reflected on building multiple successful companies, including Fingerpaint Group, while emphasizing that resilience, people-first leadership and purpose-driven work […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: What’s Next? Opportunities for Founders Across New York
The panel “What’s Next? Opportunities for Founders Across New York” at this year’s Venture NY explored the growing network of accelerators, competitions and support programs helping startups move from early ideas to scalable businesses across New York State. Featuring Seth Mulligan, Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration at Griffiss Institute; Patty Rechberger, Innovation Fund […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: From Lab to Market — Scaling NY Innovation
At the 2026 Venture NY event, the panel “From Lab to Market — Scaling NY Innovation” explored the realities of transforming breakthrough research into scalable companies across New York’s innovation ecosystem. Moderated by Paul Tolley, CTO of Excell Partners, the discussion featured Dr. Marek W. Kowarz, Founder of MicroAdventure Technologies, and Nick Conn, Founder and […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: What Makes an AI Company Investable? Data Strategy, Risk & Valuation
One of the panel discussions at this year’s Venture NY explored what separates truly investable AI companies from those simply riding the hype cycle. Moderated by Kate Polozie, Partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman, and featuring Somak Chattopadhyay, Managing Director at Armory Square Ventures, the panel “What Makes an AI Company Investable? Data Strategy, Risk & […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: Where Are the Returns Now? From Hype to Healthy Outcomes
During our annual Venture NY event, the panel “Where Are the Returns Now? From Hype to Healthy Outcomes” explored how today’s venture environment is shifting toward disciplined growth, capital efficiency and long-term value creation. Moderated by Chris Rodi, Partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, the discussion featured David Brown, Managing Director at Impellent Ventures and […]
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May 26, 2026
Venture NY 2026 Panel: How Are Investors Really Deploying Capital Right Now?
As part of Venture NY 2026, the panel “How Are Investors Really Deploying Capital Right Now? Inside the 2026 Playbook” brought together venture leaders from across fund types to discuss how today’s investment landscape is shifting from hype-driven growth to disciplined, traction-focused investing. Moderated by Flossie Hall, Director of Operations at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, […]
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2024 NYBPC Grand Prize Winners Eutrobac Acquired by Agriment Services, Inc.
In the spring of 2024, Ellie Sangree and Jesse Wexler, co-founders of Eutrobac, stood in front of judges at the University at Albany and won the New York Business Plan Competition Grand Prize. They walked away with $25,000 and set to work building an IP portfolio, raising capital, developing the product and forging the connections […]
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