Advanced Electronics R&D and Manufacturing
As home to a dynamic convergence of innovation, R&D and manufacturing, Albany/NY’s Capital Region has emerged as a major global hub for development, commercialization and production of advanced electronics and semiconductors. Scores of industry leading companies and emerging firms are conducting R&D and commercialization at SUNY Polytechnic’s Albany Nanotech Complex and at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Home to GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ Fab 8, thousands of skilled professionals are developing and producing next generation technology here that power and connect our lives in the global marketplace.
Sample companies: GlobalFoundries, Tokyo Electron, Free Form Fibers
Biotechnology / Life Sciences
The heartbeat of New York’s life sciences industry is heard loud and clear in the Capital Region. We are an innovation powerhouse that Thomas Edison helped establish more than a century ago. Building on this solid foundation are cutting-edge companies such as Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Curia, GE Healthcare, and Philips Healthcare. These companies – and dozens more – benefit from a vast talent pipeline and R&D infrastructure, including the University at Albany, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). This unique mix of R&D and manufacturing capabilities makes the Capital Region a bench-to-bedside model.
Highlights: The National Institute of Health (NIH) on average annually awards more than $50 million to Capital Region biopharma and life sciences companies and R&D centers.
Sample companies: Regeneron, Curia, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare
Off-Shore Wind & Clean Energy
Home to New York’s northern-most, year round seaport with critical rail connections, and located at the nexus of interstates 87 and 90 providing accessibility to multi-state supply chains, the Capital Region stands as a strategic offshore wind component manufacturing and staging location. In addition to off-shore wind development, the Capital Region supports advancements in additional clean energy sub-sectors including solar, battery/storage, geothermal and smart grid. More details on offshore wind in the Capital Region here >>
Highlights: New York ranks second for cleantech patents, first for wind patents and fifth for U.S. Department of Energy R&D funding.
Sample companies: GE, Plug Power, Espey Mfg. & Electronics
Digital Gaming
Albany/NY’s Capital Region has been making waves in the digital game industry for more than two decades. It is the home of the industry’s first billion-dollar title: Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. In addition to prominent studios, the gaming cluster has a broad and vibrant ecosystem of independent studios and training institutions, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s acclaimed Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Great Games Start Here >>
Sample companies: Blizzard Albany, Velan Studios, WB Games
Artificial Intelligence
In 2021, the Brookings Institute identified the Capital Region as one of 87 potential artificial intelligence adoption centers. The region stood out nationally for its AI-related federal contracts and R&D conducted by GE Research in Niskayuna, Kitware in Halfmoon, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.
Highlights: Home to IBM Artificial Intelligence Hardware Center and one of the most powerful supercomputers on a private university- campus
Sample Companies: IBM Research, GE Research
R&D to Commercialization
The Capital Region is driving cutting-edge research in several fields, including semiconductor devices, wind energy, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and chemicals. With one of the nation’s highest concentrations of jobs in the physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D services industry, the cluster attracts more than $1 billion in private research spending annually. Leveraging assets and talent at the Albany Nanotech Complex, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University at Albany’s ETEC Building and Health Sciences Campus, companies are continuing the Capital Region’s tradition of innovation.
Sample Companies: IBM, GlobalFoundries, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, GE Research, SI Group, Curia, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Advanced Materials
The Capital Region’s Advanced Materials Cluster includes a vast array of advanced chemical and materials manufacturers that supply the aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics and medical, industries. Major employers include Momentive Performance Materials, SI Group, SABIC and Ames Goldsmith. The Albany metro area is one of fewer than 50 metros nationwide where the private sector spends more than $1 billion on R&D, including research at corporate materials and chemical labs run by GE Research, SI Group, SABIC, and Polyset.
Major Employers: Momentive Performance Materials, SI Group, SABIC, GE Research
Software / Information Technology
Companies in this sector study, design, develop, implement, support or manage computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware.
Sample companies: CommerceHub, Transfinder, Dealer Socket
Power
Albany/New York’s Capital Region has been shaping the nation’s power landscape for more than a century, from the first steam generator at General Electric’s Schenectady plant in 1901 to hydrogen fuel cells now made by Plug Power in Latham and offshore wind tower components that will soon be assembled at Albany County ports.
Sample Companies: Plug Power, GE Global Research, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory
