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, the panel featured Rob Poltrino, Chief Operating Officer at Skull Diamond and Heart Capital; Danielle Blount, Partner at Bold Ventures; Rami Katz, CEO of Excell Partners; and Mike Steffan, Finance Manager at Microsoft. Together, the group explored what investors are prioritizing in 2026, including founder readiness, operational resilience, real revenue growth and long-term scalability.
The conversation also highlighted the unique advantages of the Upstate New York ecosystem, where collaboration, strategic partnerships and resourcefulness continue to drive innovation and opportunity across emerging companies.