TVCOG Newsletter: January 2026

Happy New Year from the COG Staff!

The best part about working at the COG is getting to know the fascinating members that walk through our doors. We're inspired by the creativity, ingenuity, and passion that you bring to your work every day. Thank you to those that have chosen to make the COG a part of your personal and entrepreneurial journeys.

Below, we are proud to present some highlights from our Annual Impact Report, which can be found on our website, reflecting on what our creative community brings to the Capital Region.

We have two asks for you as we head into the new year. One: Could you share the COG with at least one other person? Bring a friend or coworker in for a tour on Social Night, share the Impact Report, or suggest a follow on Instagram or LinkedIn. Personal recommendations are the top way people learn about us!

Two: Would you consider making an end-of-year donation? Each year, we spend about $12,000 on consumables - things like saw blades, welding gas, and printer toner. Many members have already helped us by offsetting materials they've used, which we are always thankful for. If every member donated $50, we'd cover that entire cost, allowing us to do more of the great work you'll see in our impact report.

We're looking forward to making great things in 2026!

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation!

In the Spotlight...

How The COG Made an Impact in 2025

342 Members Served

Utilizing TVCOG's tools & space to create

58 Businesses Served

Including tech startups, professional artists, & local manufacturers

110 Social Nights & Community Events Hosted

Potlucks, member clubs, networking & more

285 Tool Trainings & Classes Held

Woodworking, laser cutting, electronics, & more

27 FREE STEAM Education Events Offered

Serving 436 children ages 3-15

2,000+ Community Members Served

From events, membership, classes & more, TVCOG's community thrived in 2025

Read the full impact report for more!

2025 Impact Report

The COG operates with the energy and commitment of a much larger organization. We're a staff of only 2.5 FTEs with a budget of $430k - about half the resources of some similar-sized makerspaces and entrepreneur support organizations. Our existence would not be possible without the incredible support of our community.

THANK YOU to all of our partners, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and advocates. Your support this year ensured that the COG could continue to empower makers to connect, collaborate, and create.

Events & Classes

New Private Class Options Are Available!

Quick Start Guide: MIG Welding

1.5 hrs | Ages 14+

This class covers basic operation of using a MIG welder to join steel. Perfect for beginner welders. This is a one-on-one class with Ben Stepanian of 518Welding.

Quick Start Guide: TIG Welding

1.5 hrs | Ages 14+

This class covers basic operation of using a TIG welder to join steel. Perfect for beginner welders. This is a one-on-one class with Ben Stepanian of 518Welding.

Engraved Light-Up Acrylic Sign

2 hrs | Ages 13+

This beginner friendly class covers safe laser cutter operation and the basics of designing for the laser cutter.

Create a Dice Box

2 hrs | Ages 14+

This advanced beginner class will cover making complex 3D designs using the laser cutter, including refreshers on basic safety operations.

Intro to Electronics Soldering

3 hrs | Ages 14+

This beginner-level hands-on workshop will focus on the tools, techniques, and materials of small-component soldering.

DIY Retro Video Game with Arduino

3 hrs | Ages 14+

This beginner level class will cover the basics of working with Arduino microcontrollers.

Find All Private Classes & Register Here!

Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship

From Idea to Investment

Tues, Jan 20 | 5:30 - 7:30pm

Join founders, funders, and ecosystem leaders, including the COG, for a practical look at how academic research becomes a “venture-ready” startup. We’ll walk through the path from idea to company, hear candid lessons from founders who’ve spun out of universities, and highlight the Capital Region and broader NY resources that can help you take the next step.

Register

9-Week Business Planning Course

Learn what you need to know to start and run a successful small business with the Community Loan Fund's 9-week intensive training course. Class topics include: developing a business plan, strategic planning, marketing, sales forecasting, financial management and analysis, legal, insurance and tax issues. The course provides fundamental planning concepts and tools to help existing and potential business owners.

Register

News from the THINQubator

Events & Classes

STEAM-Powered Saturday: Puffy Paint

Saturday, January 3 | 10am - 1pm
FREE

Have fun with art and chemistry as you make your own puffy paint! This workshop is recommended for families with children ages 4+, but all ages are welcome. This workshop does require the ability to use ingredients without ingesting them.

STEAM-Powered Saturday: Mini Crossbows

Saturday, January 17 | 10am - 1pm
FREE

Ready, aim, fire! Make your own mini crossbow and learn about physics and engineering! This workshop is recommended for families with children ages 6+, but all ages are welcome. This workshop does require the ability to use projectiles safely.

STEAM-Powered Saturday is brought to you for free through the support of the T Backer Fund, and the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Tech Valley Center of Gravity
30 3rd St, Troy