TechRochester & community Events
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Connected Ideas – Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
Connected Ideas goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Join Rochester’s rising business leaders, founders, executives, investors, and innovators for an evening of meaningful conversation and new connections. A portion of every ticket supports breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Wear pink!
Tickets: $15 per person, includes light hors d’oeuvres (cash bar). Hosted by Connected Know.
Get tickets: https://luma.com/d3v90q3h
INSIDE THE BRIEFING: THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE SHARES HOW LOCAL COMPANIES ARE BEING ATTACKED
Rochester business leaders... What's lurking in your network? 🔒
Join CETech for breakfast with the U.S. Secret Service and hear about real cyber threats affecting businesses in our area. Get an inside look at cybercrime investigations, learn how AI is changing phishing scams, and discover how attackers get into business networks.
Come for breakfast. Leave with practical steps to protect your business.
ROC Leads the Shift: AI Leadership Summit
A full-day summit for business leaders ready to stop watching AI reshape their industry from the sidelines. Expect keynotes, hands-on workshops, and practical strategies you can put to work right away.
Built for business owners and founders, HR and people leaders, operations and strategy leaders, and healthcare and service professionals.
RocGrowth presents: City Mark - Rochester Logo Documentary
A Roc Startup Week headliner event. RocGrowth presents a screening of City Mark, a documentary about Rochester’s city logo, at the Focus Theater in the Sibley Building.
Details and full schedule: https://rocstartupweek.com/#schedule
Connected Ideas × Startup Grind – Founder Panel
A special November edition of Connected Ideas, hosted by Connected Know in partnership with Startup Grind Rochester as part of Rochester Startup Week. This night is all about founders: a candid Founder Panel on building from the ground up, navigating setbacks, and knowing when to pivot, plus a showcase of promising Startup Grind companies from across the region.
Panelists: Karen Skuse, Colin Floom, Ryan Mosher, and Mike Thaney (Director, Startup Grind Rochester). Moderated by Kayte Malik, Founder of Connected Know.
Tickets: $15 per person, includes light hors d’oeuvres (cash bar). Limited free student tickets available.
Get tickets: https://luma.com/h9ly5tfm
UVC Office Hours
A Roc Startup Week headliner event. Meet one-on-one with investors and mentors from Upstate Venture Connect at RIT. Registration required.
Register: https://luma.com/v4040czz
RocGrowth Creative Collisions
A Roc Startup Week headliner event. RocGrowth’s Creative Collisions brings Rochester’s founders, creatives, and innovators together at Fattey Beer Co.
Details and full schedule: https://rocstartupweek.com/#schedule
Women in Motion Signature Leadership Event
RIT Saunders College of Business Executive Education presents the Women in Motion Signature Leadership Event: an interactive day of insights, inspiration, and a path forward to BLOOM. Build your network and engage in personal development with experienced leaders on navigating your career, wellness and resilience, leveraging your value, developing executive presence, and leading with confidence and clarity in the age of AI. Walk away with a personal development plan.
Cost: $75 (includes breakfast and lunch)
Register: https://bit.ly/4rERpV2
Fundraising for Your Startup
A Roc Startup Week headliner event. Learn about funding options and fundraising strategies for operating and growing your startup. NextCorps staff and expert panelists will cover venture capital, angel investing, grants, bootstrapping, and crowdfunding, with practical tips, success stories, and time for questions.
More info: https://nextcorps.org/
Mark Ain Business Model Competition
A Roc Startup Week headliner event. A premier University of Rochester event where student entrepreneurs showcase innovative business ideas for the chance to win funding, gain valuable feedback, and take their ventures to the next level. Reception following the event.
Details and full schedule: https://rocstartupweek.com/#schedule
TechRochester Presents: AI, Cybersecurity & You, What Every Organization Needs to Know
Join us for an evening focused on AI, cybersecurity, and compliance. Hear from experts in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and legal as they discuss the risks and challenges organizations need to consider as they adopt AI. Stick around after the panel for drinks and networking with fellow professionals.
Connected Ideas Holiday Toy Social
Celebrate the season with Rochester’s business and innovation community! Join Connected Know for a festive night of giving, connection, music, and celebration benefiting The Salvation Army of Greater Rochester Holiday Toy Shop. Please bring one or more new, unwrapped toys to help provide gifts to local children and families.
Light hors d’oeuvres, dessert and holiday treats, music by DJ Naps & Breakthrough Entertainment, and a cash bar. Cocktail attire recommended!
Tickets: Early Bird $35 through October 15; $45 beginning October 16. Sponsorship packages (including tickets) are available starting at $150.
Get tickets and sponsorship info: https://luma.com/zmt6qx2w
Women in Tech Networking Night
Join us Thursday, September 10th for a nice of networking, sips, and connections. As Tech Rochester hosts a night to connect with other Women in Tech!
Connected Cocktails: Featuring Tech Rochester
TechRochester is proud to be the featured organization at the inaugural Connected Cocktails — a new monthly series bringing together Rochester’s rising founders, executives, investors, and innovators for an evening of meaningful conversation and connection.
We’ll be onsite to share more about our mission and how we’re helping connect and support technology professionals across the Greater Rochester region.
Hosted by Connected Know, a Rochester-based digital media platform spotlighting startups, business, and innovation.
Best suited for founders, executives, investors, and innovators looking to build meaningful connections in Rochester’s business community.
Golisano Institute Presents: AI Innovation Showcase
Join business leaders, innovators, and students for a breakfast showcase highlighting practical applications of artificial intelligence in today’s workplace.
During this interactive event, students from the Golisano Institute will demonstrate AI-powered solutions developed to address real business challenges. Through live demonstrations and conversations with student innovators, attendees will see firsthand how AI can improve efficiency, automate routine tasks, uncover insights, and create new opportunities for growth.
This event is designed for business owners, executives, managers, and professionals across all industries—not just technology companies. Whether you are exploring AI for the first time or looking for new ways to leverage it within your organization, you’ll leave with actionable ideas and valuable connections.
ITX Product + Design Conference 2026
The 5th Annual ITX Product + Design Conference brings together software product and design communities for two days of expert-led workshops, keynote sessions, and peer connection. This year we focus on adaptive leadership, smarter storytelling, and the skills that move teams forward from the minds behind Spotify, Google, Miro, Microsoft, and more.
June 24-25 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, NY.
nysernet
The conference is designed to spark new ideas and collaborative solutions through a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, workshops, and dedicated time to engage with peers.
A Central Location
New for 2026, NYSCIO will be held at 41 Lakefront Hotel on Seneca Lake in Geneva, NY.
All conference events, including meals, will take place at the hotel. Lodging is also available on site.
Register and learn more here: https://web.cvent.com/event/7784cdcb-ade0-4e26-98e0-bfe9f153a018/summary
AI Governance in Action: Strategy, Risk & Business Impact Led by Diana Kleps
Join TechRochester and Harter Secrest & Emery for a curated morning session on AI governance. This interactive event brings together tech and business leaders to share real-world insights on managing AI risk, compliance, and innovation—while building meaningful connections across the regional tech community.
TechRochester Networking Featuring Made in ROC
Join TechRochester and Made in ROC for an evening of networking with professionals across Rochester’s tech and business community. Connect with peers, discover local companies, and build relationships across the region.
An Evening with Mike Belsito: Inside The Future-Proof Product Leader — Before Anyone Else Sees It
What separates product and technology leaders who stay relevant from those who get reshuffled?
Mike Belsito — Senior Director of Mind the Product, longtime podcast host, and one of the most connected figures in the global product community — is bringing unreleased research from his upcoming book, The Future-Proof Product Manager, to an intimate group of senior leaders. The TechRochester event will be hosted by ITX.
Drawing from years of conversations with the field's most influential practitioners and a recentin tensive wave of interviews for the book, Mike will challenge the room on what truly endures — beyond frameworks, beyond tools, beyond trends. This is a small-room, off-the-record conversation. Not a keynote. Seating is limited to ensure everyone has a voice.
Disrupt HR
DisruptHR ROC is joining forces with Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship to spark the next wave of innovation right here in Rochester.
Our 2026 event theme — DNA: Disrupt. Navigate. Adapt. — celebrates the thinkers, doers, and builders who are shaping the future of work and business. We believe that disruption isn’t a reaction, it’s who we are.
This year, we’re opening the DisruptHR ROC stage to Golisano students who are ready to share bold ideas that challenge convention and inspire change. Whether their insight comes from entrepreneurship, leadership, technology, creativity, or personal experience, this is their moment to lead the conversation. With this collaboration, this year’s event will include a curated program with both seasoned professionals and student speakers.
Technology Woman of the Year 2026
The Technology Woman of the Year Awards recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in high technology fields. This annual event highlights leaders and emerging talent who are shaping the future of tech in the Greater Rochester region.
Revenue Marketing for Tech Small Businesses & Startups: Building a Growth Engine That Scales
Many early-stage tech companies have strong products but struggle to generate consistent, scalable revenue. This session introduces a practical framework for aligning marketing, sales, and operations to build a more predictable growth engine.
Startup Drinks at NextCorps: March 2026
Overview
Free monthly meetup for low-key startup conversations over local cold beverages.
Startup Drinks is back at NextCorps 🍻
Step away from your screens, unwind, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs at this relaxed, monthly meetup—no pitches, no panels, just good conversation and great local drinks.
Each attendee will receive two (2) drink tickets.
Startup Drinks takes place monthly on the fourth Thursday, making it an easy, low-pressure way to stay connected to the local startup ecosystem.
Registration closes at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 24. REGISTER HERE
GREAT Awards 2026
The GREAT Awards (Greater Rochester Excellence and Achievements in Technology) are TechRochester’s annual celebration of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in technology across the Greater Rochester region. Each year, we recognize individuals, teams, and organizations who are using technology to transform industries, improve lives, and strengthen our community. From startups to established leaders, the GREAT Awards highlight the people and companies shaping Rochester’s tech future.
Arcade 80's Meet and Mingle
SOLD OUT
Step away from your screen and into some classic fun! Join TechRochester for a casual Meet & Mingle at Arcade 80’s—a laid-back, nostalgic setting built for real conversation, laughs, and community connection.
This event is all about socializing with fellow members of Rochester’s tech community in a low-pressure, high-fun environment. Whether you’re new to TechRochester or a familiar face, this is a great chance to meet people, strengthen relationships, and enjoy a night out.
Free Play, Pizza and Snacks!
Sure to sell out! Max 40 attendees!
Community Event - Flower City AI
Come participate with Rochester's growth into a leading area for AI innovation, education, healthcare, art, business, and research.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to network, learn, and drive innovation in your community.
Techriseroc meetup
November 20, 2025 | 5:00PM - 9:00PM
Jackrabbit club | 40 Anderson ave, Rochester, NY 14607
Free event - Registration is Required
Come network with other entrepreneurs and tech folks, enjoy pizza and apps, open bar, and explore the TechRiseROC program.
CETech’s AI Seminar with R-Options
TECHROCHESTER PARTNER EVENT
By attending this seminar you will:
• See real life live practical uses from other local companies
• See how AI is changing physical security
• Learn how AI can give you back hours in your day
This seminar is for CEO’s, CFO’s, COO’s who know they should be investing in AI but have no idea where to start, or which platform to use. Where: Woodcliff Hotel & Spa When: November 12th 7:30am-9:00am
Agile Connect Rochester
Agile Connect Rochester is the premier gathering for Agile professionals in Upstate New York—bringing together agile practitioners, scrum masters, product owners, developers, and company leaders from over 40 companies.
Join us for a high energy day of learning, collaboration, and practical insights designed to help you grow your skills, make new connections, share experiences and drive Agile success at your organization.
Community Event - Webinar: Rethinking IT Infrastructure for What’s Next
FirstLight is hosting a webinar focused on colocation and cloud services for enterprise customers. We’ll cover how organizations can balance colocation, cloud, or both with their IT infrastructure, and maximize performance, cost benefit, and security.
Community Event - PMI rochester virtual professional development day
A flexible way to learn with engaging virtual sessions across all PMI talent triangle domains
Ways of Working, Power Skills, and Business Acumen.
Community Event - PMI rochester In person professional development day
A full day of networking, keynotes, breakout sessions, and our special 40th Anniversary Gala.
Community Event - ROCHESTER SECURITY SUMMIT 2025
Since 2006, the Rochester Security Summit has been a leading regional event that brings together a broad range of experts and professionals from the field of information security. Held annually during National Cyber Security Awareness Month, it serves as a community focal point for education and awareness; fostering discussion, knowledge sharing, and networking to help drive innovation and address the evolving challenges in the security landscape. From emerging trends to practical insights, our goal is to empower attendees with the latest information and strategies to enhance their cybersecurity practices
Community Event - Rochester Cloud Connect Summit
The tech landscape has shifted fast – in just six months, IT pros have had to refocus budgets and priorities to keep up with AI, data security, and cloud connectivity. Leading IT, AI, and cybersecurity experts from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Veeam, KnowBe4, and others will highlight trends, share important information, and focus on practial take-aways to make attendees better IT practitioners and leaders.
Innovateher - women mentoring women in business tech
This event will connect students with industry leaders in business and tech, fostering mentorship, providing inspiration, and creating networking opportunities. This event will connect students with industry leaders in business and tech, fostering mentorship, providing inspiration, and creating networking opportunities. Open to all Community Members.
Navigating IP Protection and IP Contracts for Tech Innovators
TECHROCHESTER PARTNER EVENT
Join Harter Secrest & Emery Intellectual Property attorneys for a panel discussion on the critical legal frameworks that can either hinder or propel technology companies forward. This event will cover essential topics including:
Protecting all types of intellectual property through well-crafted contracts and confidentiality agreements
A practical overview of patent law, including common pitfalls to avoid to protect innovations
The strategic use of trademark law to build and defend brand identity.
Whether you’re a startup founder, in-house counsel, or tech executive, this event will provide valuable guidance on how to safeguard your company’s intellectual property assets and leverage legal tools to support growth and innovation.
Speakers: Jessica N. Clemente, Timothy W. Menasco, and Jodi A. Reynolds
Moderator: Erika N.D. Stanat
MADE IN ROC September 2025
September Speaker: Mike Della Porta
Join us for "Made In ROC," an inspiring and new 2025 event series hosted by TechRochester, showcasing the remarkable journeys of local entrepreneurs and business leaders, who have built and scaled thriving businesses in the heart of Rochester, NY's tech sector.
Hear firsthand from industry pioneers as they share their insights, challenges, and triumphs in establishing successful ventures that contribute to the region's innovation landscape. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned professional, or simply curious about the future of tech in Rochester, this series promises to illuminate the path to success in our vibrant community.
Mark your calendars and start out your morning with inspiration and networking with the visionaries who are shaping the future, right here in Rochester.
Event will be held at NextCorps.
Turning Fear into Strength for Growth & Collaboration
How often do you hold yourself back with limiting beliefs, saying, "I can't," before you’ve even tried?
This in-person workshop will explore how our fears, the thoughts and feelings we have, and the words we speak to ourselves shape our reality. You’ll learn how to challenge these negative inner narratives and replace “I can’t” with “I can learn,” or “This is hard” with “This is an opportunity for growth.” Our inner dialogue holds incredible power—learn to use it to build confidence, courage, and conviction. The way we speak to ourselves influences what we believe is possible and, ultimately, how we behave impacts our results and our reality. So let’s transform your mindset and unlock your true potential.
Attendees will learn how to:
Identify and challenge limiting beliefs that hold them back
Shift self-talk from fear-based to growth-oriented language
Build confidence and resilience through intentional mindset strategies
This is an in-person workshop that includes the opportunity to network afterwards on NextCorps' patio. Space is limited and registration closes at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 11.
AGENDA
4:00-5:15 PM: Workshop
5:15-6:00 PM: Networking on the Patio
Community Event - iSECURE 15th annual cybersecurity summit
Join iSECURE for an immersive conference that reimagines cybersecurity through the lens of classic storybook tales and turning timeless lessons into actionable strategies for today’s digital landscape. Attendees will navigate these challenges, discovering how strategic decision-making, proactive defense, and collaborative leadership can author a new chapter in their organization’s cybersecurity resilience.