Tech:NYC Digest: August 16

Tech:NYC Digest: August 16

August 16, 2023 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

In today’s digest, NYC’s rideshare fleet to become zero-emission, locking in outdoor dining rules, and how to take advantage of the final days of Summer Streets and Restaurant Week.

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  • NYC has officially made outdoor dining permanent — but with some changes. (Gothamist)

    • Mayor Eric Adams signed into law rules that allow for year-round sidewalk seating and “roadway cafe” structures that allow for seasonal dining space from April to November.

  • The Dept. of Transportation has proposed a local law to allow wider, pedal-assisted mini trucks — roughly the same width as a golf cart — on the city’s streets. (Gothamist)

    • City officials claim the use of these bikes could make deliveries more climate-friendly and help relieve street congestion: Two cargo e-bikes can replace one traditional delivery truck. 

  • A final heads up for the season: The last Manhattan Summer Streets will be this Saturday, August 19. (Brooklyn and the Bronx's Summer Streets programs end on August 26.)

In other reading:

  • AI Can’t Build A High-Rise, but It Can Speed Up the Job (New York Times)

  • To celebrate this year’s US Open, Times Square is getting a tennis court (TimeOut New York)

  • These Are the Two Best Restaurant Weeks of the Year (Grub Street)

The next chapter in NYC’s ambitious climate plan was unveiled today: With the support of transit, micromobility, and climate tech startups across the city, New York is setting its sights on becoming the first large US city to have an entirely zero-emissions or wheelchair accessible rideshare fleet.

What’s new: A set of “Green Rides” rules were introduced today following pledges made by Uber and Lyft earlier this year to convert their fleets to zero emissions by 2030, with incentives and support for drivers. (Crain’s New York)

  • The city is aiming to implement the rules over the next six years, guided by a roadmap to ramp up zero-emissions targets each year to reach 100% rideshare EV adoption by 2030.

  • Starting in 2024, at least 5% of all high-volume, for-hire trips, including those with Uber and Lyft, must be dispatched by zero-emissions vehicles. The threshold rises to 15% in 2025 and 25% in 2026.

Our take: These are long-welcomed goals that will help NYC meet its broader climate agenda. There’s no question EV adoption will be a key part of that agenda, but with these goals, there’s more to do to help New Yorkers — especially for-hire drivers — make the transition:

  • With today’s announcement, Revel co-founder and CEO Frank Reig emphasized the importance of accessible changing infrastructure: “As New York’s first all-electric rideshare operator and leading provider of public fast charging, Revel is committed to building reliable EV infrastructure near where rideshare drivers live and work, so the transition to electric isn’t just greener, but more accessible and better for drivers’ wallets too.”

In other reading:

  • The online classes preparing teachers for AI’s realities (Axios)

  • How to Make the Case for the Resources Your Team Needs (Harvard Business Review)

  • The Financial Times’ 15 top business books of 2023 (Financial Times)

  • Spearbit, a NYC and Miami-based smart contract audit and security startup, raised $7 million in funding. Framework Ventures led the round and was joined by Nascent, 1kx, Volt Capital, Breed VC, and Robot Ventures.

URBAN-X is accepting applications for Cohort 13 of its accelerator program. The four-month program is interested in startups with scalable climate mitigation and/or adaptation solutions in areas such as mobility, real estate, energy, and community.  Learn more and apply by August 22 here.The Environmental Tech Lab, a public-private initiative between the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Partnership Fund for New York City, is accepting applications for its inaugural cohort. The Lab is seeking early- and growth-stage companies with data and operations solutions to help solve pressing challenges facing the city’s water and wastewater network. Learn more and apply by August 23 here.Forum Ventures is accepting applications for its next pitch competition. Five BIPOC founders will be selected to pitch to a panel of judges, with one winning a $100K investment and acceptance into the Forum accelerator program. Learn more and apply by August 31 here.The Black Venture Institute is accepting applications for its Fall 2023 cohort. Accepted fellows are Black operators and executives looking to become angel, scout, or venture investors and  learn how to evaluate opportunities and negotiate terms from top industry experts and business leaders. Learn more and apply by Sept. 3 here.Harlem Capital is accepting applications for its Founder Launchpad program. The five-week program is geared towards underrepresented tech industry operators actively working on a startup idea full-time. Learn more and apply by Sept. 7 here.

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