Tech Valley Center of Gravity (TVCOG) owes its existence to the determination of many individuals who understood the importance of the maker communities in the Capital Region. These individuals collectively convened a critical mass of communities from electronics meetup groups, coding clubs, and inventor groups to woodworkers, crafters, and quilters, to create a vision and mission for the Center of Gravity as a community space democratizing access to equipment, space, and resources.

Founding a not-for-profit is no easy task, and the founding and existence of the TVCOG is owed to the persons, groups, and organizations who provided preliminary funding for both the organization and its facilities, as well as the tireless makers who provided the sweat and skill to build, finish, fill and staff the facility and organization in its infancy. 

The Tech Valley Center of Gravity first opened its doors and began enrolling members in March 2013 in a space on the ground floor of the Uncle Sam Parking Garage in Troy. To help us on our way, this space was graciously provided rent-free for one year by Bryce Properties. Over 100 members signed up on our first day of operation, validating our mission and the almost immediate need to expand into a larger space.

In partnership with Bryce Properties and with a monumental stack of grant funding support from Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Troy Local Development Corporation, Empire State Development, NYS Department of Parks and Historic Preservation and SEFCU, the Quackenbush Building, originally a department store opened in 1856, underwent a complete historic renovation with the intent that the TVCOG makerspace occupy the basement and first floor. The vision was that the remainder of the floors would represent a vibrant mix of high tech start-up businesses and coworking space. This unique renovation was pivotal in the renaissance of downtown Troy and the establishment of the Troy Innovation District. It is an eye-catching centerpiece exampling how high tech companies can retrofit modern elements with Victorian architecture in a way that preserves historic character.

Tech Valley Center of Gravity moved to the Quackenbush in August  2015, and has been enjoying a growing membership with an indomitable maker spirit. The neighboring companies currently occupying the upper floors include Troy Web Consulting, Ithos Global, Uncaged Innovations, and United Aircraft Technologies, among a number of smaller startups, the NYSTEC-funded accelerator, IgniteU-NY, and Rensselaer County IDA. In the foyer of the 333 Broadway entrance, Burrito Burrito rounds out the tenant base with 100 percent vegan Tex-Mex food made fresh daily.

Since 2013, Tech Valley Center of Gravity (501c3) has served the Capital Region as a makerspace, prototyping center, manufacturing incubator, STEAM education center, and creative community in the heart of downtown Troy. New businesses are sparked and incubated through coworking, creativity and making, growing through the utilization of low-cost innovation spaces, knowledge spillover and creative collisions, communal equipment, tools, and resources that are otherwise inaccessible to many. The community is also served through family activities in the THINQubator, educational opportunities through skill-based classes, and by serving as a gathering space by hosting dozens of community events and gatherings monthly.