FEBRUARY 2026
Rochester tech leaders on the future of innovation
NextCorps President Jim Senall weighed in alongside other local technology leaders on the trends and opportunities shaping their industries. Senall highlighted the rapid adoption of AI and Rochester’s growing strength in commercializing “deep tech.”
Coming up at NextCorps
Phishing remains one of the most common and costly cyber threats businesses face today. In this free lunch & learn, Matthew Reed, VP of the Managed IT Division at New York Technology Partners, will share practical guidance on spotting scams and protecting your organization’s data.
Space is limited and registration closes Monday, February 23 at 10:00 AM.
🍻 Startup Drinks is back! Join us every fourth Thursday for a relaxed meetup with great local drinks. This month, we’re featuring some of our favorite Seneca County vendors, including a wine tasting from Airy Acres Vineyard, along with beer, cider, kombucha, and NA options.
Registration is free and closes at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 24.
Introducing Beyond the Sketch ✏️
A new event series hosted by NextCorps in partnership with BZDesign
Design is a process. Whether you’re working to take your idea from paper to prototype, or part of a corporate team rethinking innovation, how you navigate critical design decisions will impact your success. This in-person event series will share insights from local companies and highlight the design resources available right here—including the powerful fabrication tools and support found in the NextCorps Fab Lab.
Save the date! 🗓️ March 26, 4:00 PM
Learn, explore, connect, and stick around for Startup Drinks. More details to come!
Learn how to maximize energy savings in 2026 with a walkthrough of RG&E and NYSEG rebate programs for businesses and manufacturers. This webinar covers key program updates, eligibility requirements, and timelines, plus a practical overview of the rebate application process.
Opportunities to fuel your growth
The Upstate Defense Innovation Challenge is advancing microelectronics innovation to strengthen regional defense readiness. FuzeHub will award three $60K grants to projects that develop breakthrough technologies or strengthen regional supply chains. Apply by February 17
Venture For ClimateTech is looking for the most promising climate tech innovators from around the world working on solutions across four key sectors: Buildings, Grid/Energy, Industry, and Transportation. Accepted companies receive hands-on support and a path to first customers, pilot runs, and investment. Apply by February 20
Inside the incubator
Echo Life is developing wearable audio-haptic technology that turns music into immersive experiences designed to support stress relief, focus, and better sleep. In this startup spotlight, founder Matt Giordano shares how lived experiences shaped the product and its journey toward launch.
NextCorps community shoutouts
👋 Welcome new client, Era73 Technologies!
IngenID announced a partnership with CyberloQ Technologies, Inc. to advance next-generation biometric multi-factor authentication, delivering stronger, more seamless protection against unauthorized access, fraud, and emerging threats like deepfakes.
MYRetreat is going on tour across the U.S., bringing Chocolate Mindfulness off the screen and to a city near you.
Nudge was accepted into the first cohort of the Curinos FinTech Incubator, a new program for startups working in financial inclusion, personalization, and behavioral innovation.
NextCorps EIRs making moves…
- Rick Pereira’s new pizzeria opens this Friday! If you’re in Rochester, check out Pizza Nota on Anderson Ave.
- Pat Shreckengast has joined GrowthX as Managing Director for Western New York, expanding the go-to-market network and insights he brings to NextCorps founders.
The work between wins
How we’re helping founders move forward faster
We know it’s the hands-on work that shapes a startup’s path. Yallah Medical Founder, Dr. Heba Armoush, attended the Becker Forum to deepen her understanding of the healthcare challenges farmers face, and EIR Joel Benzel joined her for the day, showing up as an extension of her team.
“Joel helped me network and clearly explain Yallah Medical, often framing our focus as doing early market analysis around existing gaps. He also attended the sessions alongside me, capturing insights that were directly relevant to my work. Two minds really are better than one.”
— Heba Armoush, MD, MPH
Founder, Yallah Medical P.C.
Want help that actually makes things happen?
👉 Apply to join the NextCorps incubator.
Community events
First Thursdays/Creative Collisions
Feb. 5, 5:30 PM, Fattey Beer Co.
Entrepreneurs and supporters of the startup community—join RocGrowth and Startup Grind Rochester for creative collisions over drinks.
Startup Grind Pitch Battle Royale
Feb. 19, 5:30 PM, NextCorps
Whether you’re pitching or cheering, expect high-energy competition, sharp ideas, and meaningful connections.
RocGrowth Coffee
Feb. 20, 8:00 AM, Bar Bantam
Get a jump on the last day of the work week with caffeine and conversations (no RSVP necessary).
NSF I-Corps Info Session
Feb. 25, 12:00 PM, Virtual
Learn more about I-Corps regional and national programming that can provide you with professional training, mentoring, and up to $50K in funding for customer discovery.
The GREAT Awards
Feb. 25, 5:30 PM, Comedy at the Carlson
Celebrate the innovators, teams, and organizations using technology to transform industries and shape Greater Rochester’s tech future at TechRochester’s annual awards ceremony.
Upstate Capital Impact Exchange
Mar. 4, ETEC at the University at Albany
This one-day event convenes investors, founders, policymakers, and regional leaders to explore how regions attract, deploy, and scale capital, with a focus on New York State’s investment ecosystem.
On the blog
Circular economy as a competitive edge: Turning sustainability into business value
What if sustainability could actually strengthen your bottom line? At a recent NextCorps lunch & learn, pollution prevention specialist Israa Ameen Thiab broke down how circular economy principles can help businesses reduce costs, preserve value, and stay competitive.