NYC Innovation Hot Spot Head Named First Woman Chair of BIANYS

Ariella Trotsenko, Director of the NYC Innovation Hot Spot, has been elected to serve as the Chair of the Board of the Business Incubator Association of New York (BIANYS), a nonprofit trade association. Ms. Trotsenko was also elected to her second three-year term on the board of BIANYS, which brings together a community of engaged program leaders of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces spanning all corners of New York State. This network of dedicated leaders works to foster a dynamic, diverse, creative, and successful startup ecosystem across New York.

BIANYS is the largest statewide coalition of its kind.  With 115+ members and nine board members, it advocates for business incubators at both the state level in Albany and the federal level in Washington, DC. In the year ahead, one of its top priorities will be securing support for the SBIR Reauthorization Act, up for renewal in September.

Kelly Reardon, Director of the University at Albany Innovation Hot Spot (Innovate 518), was elected as a new board member of BIANYS. Tom Grech, CEO and President of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, was re-elected to a second three-year term on the board.

BIANYS held its 2025 Annual Meeting in White Plains New York on June 12-13 co-hosted with leaders from the Westchester County Government and the Hudson Valley Venture Hub. After the meeting, the membership convened for a closed session to cover new business and election of board members. Following the members only session, the BIANYS Board of Directors met to elect executive leadership.

More information on the Business Incubator Association of New York State can be found at https://www.bianys.com