Startup Newsletter February 2024

The final month of Q1 already? 😳 Before we look too far ahead, we wanted to share a few updates on what Tech:NYC’s member network has been up to:

We’ve made mention of some new initiatives Tech:NYC is building to offer more direct support to underrepresented founders and/or founders building in emerging fields. In some ways, you could consider the last month as a test case for our plans to come:

• Throughout Black History Month, we packed the calendar with early-stage startups in mind: discussions on AI regulations with Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Ritchie Torres, workshop sessions on AI applications with legislators in Albany, and dinners connecting VCs with New York BIPOC founders.

We’re spending the next few weeks collecting more feedback, compiling more resources, and charting the best ways for Tech:NYC to add solutions for the next generation of founders in our networks. We’ll have more to announce on that soon! 👀 Until then, keep in touch! 

– Team Tech:NYC

🚀 COMPANIES TO WATCH

We closed out Black History Month by highlighting a group of the best Black-led startups in New York – but don’t take our word for it. 

For the latest edition of our Companies to Watch series, we asked leading VCs in our network to nominate the Black founders they’re most excited to support in 2024. Here’s what they reported back.

✈️ SXSW

Octavius here! I’m excited to be representing the Tech:NYC team at SXSW this year, and on March 13, we’re co-hosting an AI startup happy hour with our friends at IBM. Send me a note if you’ll be in town!

Join us at the SXSW AI Track Lounge from 5pm to 6pm on March 13th for a networking happy hour with members of the startup community driving the next wave of AI innovation Come unwind, exchange ideas, celebrate the AI startup community, and play a game of data-driven ping pong!

🧑‍💻 APPLY

Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab is accepting applications for its next cohort. The program promotes financial inclusion and provides access to capital for early-stage tech companies, offering $250K to companies selected to their New York-based program in exchange for a 5% equity stake, along with access to networks, mentoring, and a tailored curriculum Learn more and apply by March 15th here.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is seeking proposals from non-profits or joint ventures for support projects in the life sciences, green economy, and advanced technology industries through its Greenlight Innovation Fund. Learn more and apply by April 12 here.

Robin Hood is accepting applications for its AI Poverty Challenge. The challenge awards three $1 million prizes for breakthrough AI solutions in three areas: education, workforce development, and financial empowerment. Learn more and apply by May 30 here.

🗽 ATTEND

• March 5: The Path Forward: Artificial Intelligence, with Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen. Hosted by the Washington Post. Register here.
  

• March 5: The Future of GPUs and AI Chips, with Amazon Web Services VP of product Matt Wood. Hosted by The Information. Register here.
  

• March 7: PrimeTime VC, with Flybridge Capital general partner Jesse Middleton, Forum Ventures partner Olivia O’Sullivan, and Headline Ventures investor Zehra Naqvia. Hosted by Sandhill Markets and Betaworks. Register here.
  

• March 11: Data Driven NYC, with Runway CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela, Dataiku CEO Florian Douetteau, and Foursquare CEO Gary Little. Hosted by FirstMark. Register here.
  

• March 13: Join IBM and Tech:NYC at the official SXSW AI Track Lounge from 5pm to 6pm for a networking happy hour with members of the startup community driving the next wave of AI innovation. Come unwind, exchange ideas, celebrate the AI startup community, and play a game of data-driven ping pong! Send a note to Octavius if you can stop by.
  

• March 14: Digital New York Summit, with LinkNYC CEO Nick Colvin, New York State CIO Dru Rai, and others. Hosted by City & State. Use code “TECHNYC” for 25% off tickets by registering here.
  

• March 19: How I Raised My Seed, with Compyl CEO Stas Bojoukha, BoldVoice CEO Anada Lakra, and Infield co-founder Allison Pike. Hosted by nextNYC. Register here.
  

• March 21: 10th Annual LDV Vision Summit, a free virtual event covering biotech, neuroscience, agtech, quantum computing, generative AI, investing trends, and more. Hosted by LDV Capital. Register here.