August 6, 2026
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has named Daniel Potvin, Ph.D. as the Founding Director of SCALE.Rensselaer, a new business accelerator focused on scaling tough tech ventures. Potvin, who assumed the role in June, will lead efforts to grow complex, R&D-intensive startups and advance tough tech in New York’s Capital Region.
The launch of SCALE.Rensselaer reflects growing investment in scaling physical technology ventures emerging from academic research, in early-stage industry innovations, and in strengthening regional innovation ecosystems. Founders prepared to grow their tough tech ventures are encouraged to connect with SCALE.Rensselaer for upcoming virtual workshops, as the accelerator begins the selection process for its inaugural, in-person cohort launching in Winter 2027. Information about the workshops and the inaugural cohort can be found on the SCALE.Rensselaer LinkedIn page.
“SCALE.Rensselaer represents a step forward in RPI’s mission to drive regional economic impact through technological innovation,” said Martin A. Schmidt, President of RPI. “We are creating an entity that will be a catalyst for our entrepreneurial community, providing the physical and ideological space where these startups can share the ideas, expertise, and resources needed to change the world.”
“Dan’s proven ability to translate research into real-world commercial solutions makes him uniquely qualified to lead this effort. Under his leadership, we will build a powerful pipeline from discovery to scalable industry impact,” said Jonathan S. Dordick, Ph.D., Vice President of RPI's Office of Strategic Alliances and Translation, and Institute Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering.
“Rensselaer County has always been a home for builders and innovators,” said Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin. “SCALE.Rensselaer provides the specialized infrastructure and resources these complex startups need to grow without having to leave the region. We are sending a clear message to founders and investors alike: Rensselaer County is the best place in New York to build the future of tough technology.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Dan to the helm of SCALE.Rensselaer,” said Robert Pasinella, Chief Executive Officer of the Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency (RCIDA). “This accelerator will help create a fertile environment that anchors a world-class innovation cluster of quantum computing, biotechnology, and semiconductor companies in our community. SCALE.Rensselaer is central to positioning Rensselaer County and the Capital Region as a premier hub for next-generation industries.”
Potvin brings deep experience in technology commercialization, corporate venture capital, and strategic partnerships. He has held leadership roles at GE HealthCare, General Electric, and Johns Hopkins University, where he managed intellectual property portfolios, supported startup formation, and led complex licensing and commercialization efforts.
“Returning to RPI to launch SCALE.Rensselaer is an incredible honor,” said Potvin. “The Capital Region has the infrastructure and talent to be a global leader in tough tech, from semiconductors and quantum computing to biotechnology and robotics. I look forward to working closely with founders, regional partners, and the RPI and Rensselaer County innovation ecosystem to bridge the critical gap between groundbreaking research and commercial scale.”
Potvin earned his B.S. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University at Albany.
About SCALE.Rensselaer
SCALE.Rensselaer is a “tough tech” business accelerator located in the historic Quackenbush Building in downtown Troy, NY. Developed through a partnership between RPI and Rensselaer County and supported by an $8 million appropriation included in the Rensselaer County 2025 budget by County Executive Steve McLaughlin and approved by the Rensselaer County Legislature, the accelerator is designed to bridge the “valley of death” for complex, R&D-intensive startups.
The 13,000-square-foot facility includes wet labs, dry labs, and collaborative workspaces. SCALE.Rensselaer supports startups in sectors including advanced manufacturing, robotics, biotechnology, energy, and emerging semiconductor and quantum technologies, providing entrepreneurs with the specialized infrastructure, mentorship, and investor access needed to scale innovations from the lab to the marketplace.