Startup Newsletter March 2024

We don’t need to tell you how incredibly eventful the first month of Q2 has been, from trips to Austin for SXSW to Founder House III and our largest computer science fair to date. A special shoutout to the startups that came and participated at our annual CS fair; it was incredible to see the lines of students at your tables eager to learn more about what you’re building.

A couple of internal Tech:NYC changes to note…

Tyler, whom many of you know and have seen at nearly all of our events, is concluding an amazing 6-year tenure at Tech:NYC. We are incredibly grateful for his contributions, not only in developing the voice of Tech:NYC but also for his impact on the NYC tech ecosystem. We encourage you to connect with Tyler and follow him on X for updates on what’s next!

Octavius’ role is expanding as he assumes the position of Director of Platform. In this new role, he will be hyperfocused on continuing to develop high-impact programming for early-stage founders and now will extend that focus to companies with up to 100 employees.

We paused nearly all of our early-stage founder programming through the month of March to focus on an exciting announcement for startups that will be coming in the next few weeks. We are focused on spending this time collecting more feedback, compiling additional resources, and charting the best ways for Tech:NYC to provide solutions for the next generation of founders in our networks. An announcement is imminent! 👀 Until then, keep in touch!

– Team Tech:NYC

📌 Office Space Opportunity

Within a beautiful 42,000 sq ft. office space in the heart of the Financial District and major transit hub, lives Code Climate, which is looking to open its arms (and doors) to startup friends within their investor networks who may be interested in furnished, wired, and ready to go open area sit-to-stand workstations, private offices and/or dedicated team rooms.

Included (but not limited to):

• Access to games galore (ping pong, pool table, PacMan, putting mat, corn hole, etc.)!

• Access to wellness rooms, library and phone booths

• Access to an array of conference rooms

• Soft seating areas to promote collaboration

• Beautiful open kitchen 

• An opportunity to be among some really awesome people (like you!) and be part of a strong collaborative incubator atmosphere

For more information, images, and a virtual tour of the space, please view the attached PDF. For all inquiries, please contact Audrey Anjos-Klepper at [email protected].

📝nextNYC’s Open Office Hours

NextNYC’s next office hour event is now open. NextNYC has assembled dozens of VCs for this annual office hours event. Whether you are raising your pre-seed or your series A they have top NYC investors ready for intro meetings. Sign up ASAP as space is limited.

📖Opportunity from Starcycle AI

As founders, one of the hardest things to do is to say goodbye. If you're in the process of winding down right now, or have needed to do so in the past, know that you’re not alone. Need support, or are open to talking about your experience to help other founders? Starcycle is researching ways to best help entrepreneurs through shutdown.

Reach out to [email protected], if you’re looking for resources or to share your story.

🧑‍💻 APPLY

The Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS Program is seeking participants for its next program. TEALS helps build equitable, inclusive computer science programs in high schools. They do this by partnering industry professionals with classroom teachers to support CS courses across the country. Volunteer with TEALS to make a difference in communities and schools. Visit the TEALS website here for more information and apply for the 2024-25 school year.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is seeking proposals from nonprofits 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.

Peerless, a pitch competition powered by AlleyCorp, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), Tech:NYC, and a roster of other partners, is accepting applications. The competition offers Black, Latine, Native American, and female founders at the early stages a $1 million prize to scale their vision. Learn more and apply by April 26 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

• April 2 – 4: VC Open Office Hours, distributed meetings for founders to meet VCs and discuss their idea in 20-minute intro sessions. Organized and hosted by nextNYC. Request a meeting here.
  

• April 4: Data Science Day 2024, featuring Google senior vice president Prabhakar Raghavan, Columbia University president Minouche Shakif, and others. Hosted by the Columbia University Data Science Institute. Register here.
  

• April 8: Scaling and Fundraising for Your Fintech Company in 2024, with Thoropass CEO Sam Li, DealBridge.ai CEO Adam Frederick, Unicorn Growth Capital founding partner Barbara Iyayi, and Fin Capital associate Anna Kirk. Hosted by Thoropass and Storm2. Request to join here.