NYCEDC

NYC BigApps 2013 Award Ceremony – June 20, 2013: Free Tickets!

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:31:00 -0400

We’re counting down the seconds until the NYC BigApps 2013 Award Ceremony on the evening of Thursday, June 20th, where we’ll announce the winners of Mayor Bloomberg’s annual challenge to developers and designers to create apps that solve key city challenges.

This year’s competition focused on four BigIssue areas including the Cleanweb: Energy, Environment and Resilience, Jobs + Economic Mobility, Healthy Living, and Lifelong Learning. 54 amazing eligible apps were submitted, competing for $150,000 in cash and other prizes, including the chance to demo at NY Tech Meetup!

Want to see what the buzz is all about? You too can join the awards ceremony, featuring a number of special guests. Mingle with the tech, investor and NYC government community, enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and be part of the excitement as prizes are handed out for the best apps, including Grand Prize.

Tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. Fill out this form to sign-up by Wednesday, June 19 at 4 pm. We’ll notify folks if they got tickets no later than Wednesday, June 19 at 5 pm.

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NYC BigApps 2013 continues New York City’s ongoing engagement with the software developer community to leverage technology innovation to solve City challenges, building on the first three annual BigApps competitions through new data, prizes, and resources. Learn more at www.nycbigapps.com.

This week at NYCEDC: We broke ground on 133,000-square-foot...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:00:39 -0400

This week at NYCEDC:

We broke ground on 133,000-square-foot retail development at Broadway Plaza in the Bronx
We presented “A Stronger, More Resilient New York,” the comprehensive and ambitious report that analyzes the city’s climate risks and outlines recommendations to protect NYC
We watched the sun set over the river
We shared how Upwardly Global and NYCEDC’s Immigrant Bridge Program is helping to connect high-skilled immigrants to jobs in growth sectors

Have a great weekend NYC!

Photo Credit: Trista Sordillo/NYCEDC

Guest blog! Read how Upwardly Global and NYCEDC’s...

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:29:31 -0400

Guest blog! Read how Upwardly Global and NYCEDC’s Immigrant Bridge Program is helping to connect high-skilled immigrants to jobs in growth sectors:

Immigrant Bridge is a pilot program designed to help 400 college-educated unemployed or underemployed immigrants with in-demand skills transition into “gateway jobs” in their field. The Program includes a workforce training component to help participants develop individualized career plans, improve their English skills, and prepare for professional jobs.

Upwardly Global is one of four nonprofit organizations partnering with NYCEDC to provide this program, the others being CAMBA, Goodwill Industries, and the Riverside Language Program. An associated loan fund administered by Amalgamated Bank will provide interested participants with $1,000 to $10,000 loans to support their transition to higher paying jobs.

Learn more about NYCEDC’s LINK pilot initiatives designed to connect residents across New York City to growing opportunities in our economy: www.nycedc.com/link

nycgov: NY Waterway Ferry at sunset Photo by @nycgo

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:42:11 -0400

nycgov:

NY Waterway Ferry at sunset

Photo by @nycgo

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today presented “A Stronger, More...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:20:00 -0400

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today presented “A Stronger, More Resilient New York,” the comprehensive and ambitious report that analyzes the city’s climate risks and outlines recommendations to protect neighborhoods and infrastructure from future climate events. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Mayor Bloomberg launched the Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency and charged it with recommending steps the City should take to protect against the impacts of climate change.

Under the leadership of NYCEDC President Seth W. Pinsky and using the foundation built through the City’s comprehensive sustainability agenda, PlaNYC, the Special Initiative produced the 430-page report, “A Stronger, More Resilient New York,” with more than 250 specific recommendations to further fortify the city against climate events. The Mayor released the report today in an extensive presentation (see slides here) to elected officials, business and community leaders and leading climate experts at the Duggal Greenhouse – which was damaged during Hurricane Sandy and has since reopened as one of the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s 330 businesses.

“Six years ago, PlaNYC sounded the alarm about the dangers our city faces due to the effects of climate change and we’ve done a lot to attack the causes of climate change and make our city less vulnerable to its possible effects. But Hurricane Sandy made it all too clear that, no matter how far we’ve come, we still face real, immediate threats. These concrete recommendations for how to confront the risks we face will build a stronger more resilient New York. This plan is incredibly ambitious- and much of the work will extend far beyond the next 200 days – but we refused to pass the responsibility for creating a plan onto the next administration. This is urgent work, and it must begin now.”

– Mayor Bloomberg

Read an overview of the innovative recommendations proposed in the report, excerpts from the Mayor’s prepared remarks, and much more information on www.nyc.gov.

Public Voting for the Innovate Health Tech NYC Challenge Ends...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:16:00 -0400

Public Voting for the Innovate Health Tech NYC Challenge Ends June 13th!

By Julie Chan, Senior Project Manager

Vote for your favorite Innovate Health Tech NYC Challenge submission and help determine the Popular Choice Award, in which one of the lucky finalists will get to present their technology at our upcoming Demo Day on July 10th! Spread the word through your social networks and help a NYC health tech startup move forward to compete for $50,000 in prizes. Browse the Submission Gallery and submit your vote by Thursday, June 13th at 5:00pm EDT.

Innovate Health Tech NYC challenges local health tech innovators to develop commercially viable technologies to solve urgent health care problems. 23 NYC-based individuals, companies and teams submitted to the challenge hoping to win $50,000 in prizes and receive coaching from StartUp Health in preparation for the final judging at the Demo Day. Judges include senior leaders from Janssen Healthcare Innovation, ZocDoc, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Health Venture Group, The Blackstone Group, Allscripts, Medivo, Weill Cornell Medical College, ActiveHealth Management, NYCEDC and Partnership Fund for New York City

NYCEDC and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. today...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:04:00 -0400

NYCEDC and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. today announced the groundbreaking of a 133,000-square-foot retail development at Broadway Plaza in the Bronx, which will activate an approximately 80,000-square-foot site located along the Broadway retail corridor. The developer, Equity One, plans to invest approximately $54 million to construct the two-story, multi-tenant retail development and approximately 130 covered parking spaces that will make up the site, which is located on 230th Street between Broadway and the Major Deegan Expressway. The project is expected to create over 250 new full and part-time jobs and approximately 500 construction jobs.

“Broadway Plaza will add hundreds of jobs to the Riverdale/Kingsbridge community and provide this neighborhood with newer and even more retail options. This development will help ensure that the Broadway corridor here in the Bronx will continue to thrive into the future.”

- NYCEDC COO Zachary Smith

Photo credits: Grace Cheung/NYCEDC

This week at NYCEDC: We watched the sun set over beautiful Coney...

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:00:00 -0400

This week at NYCEDC:

We watched the sun set over beautiful Coney Island
We announced the opening of a a new life sciences incubator in Harlem called Harlem Biospace
We revealed that NYC is expected to continue to be the most competitive city globally in 2025
We brought NYC to the world with a four-day trip that toured the best of the technology communities in the “startup nation,” Israel

Have a great weekend, NYC!

Photo Credit: Kelly Ernst/NYCEDC via Instagram. Rockefeller Center at night.

In April, NYCEDC staged NYC to Israel 2013, a four-day trip that...

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:45:43 -0400

In April, NYCEDC staged NYC to Israel 2013, a four-day trip that toured the best of the technology communities in the “startup nation”:

Trip highlights included spending a day at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (which is a partner, along with Cornell University, in the City’s groundbreaking applied science and engineering campus); visiting large companies such as Google Campus and small startups in Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Jerusalem; participating in the TechAviv Founders event; and hosting a reception for Israeli companies interested in doing business in New York City.

Free Workforce Engagement Webinar NYC Business Innovation...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:07:54 -0400

Free Workforce Engagement Webinar

NYC Business Innovation Challenge is thrilled to announce a free webinar this Friday, June 7th at 2:00 pm EDT to learn from top business leaders as they share some of their best practices for workforce engagement.

The webinar is co-sponsored by Next Street, American Sustainable Business Council, ROC Restaurant Industry Roundtable, B-Lab, Social Venture Network, Green America, and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.

More and more businesses understand that creating a good workplace for their employees results in a stronger company and greater profits. These companies are creating internal policies and business practices to ensure that their employees have a path to improving their skill bases, access to benefits, and other career prospects or economic opportunities.

Speakers will include:

David Levine, CEO, American Sustainable Business Council
Dal LaMagna, CEO, Icestone  
Jonathan Greengrass, VP of Development, Greyston Bakery

When: Friday, June 7 at 2:00 pm EDT

Register Here

Don’t forget to enter your workforce plan for the NYC Business Innovation Challenge at www.nycbic.com by June 14th!

New EIU Report Projects New York to Continue to Reign as Most...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:18:00 -0400

New EIU Report Projects New York to Continue to Reign as Most Competitive City in 2025

A new Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) research report, “Hot Spots 2025: Benchmarking the Future Competitiveness of Cities,” commissioned by Citi, reveals that New York City is expected to continue to be the most competitive city globally in 2025.

The city leads in a number of competiveness categories in the report, and is among the most competitive in terms of financial maturity, institutional character and economic strength. Released at the New Cities Summit in São Paulo, the report forecasts the competitiveness of 120 cities in 2025 based on their projected ability to attract capital, business, talent and tourists.

“The Economist Intelligence Unit continues to recognize New York City’s place at the forefront of the global economy, and that’s a testament to the ingenuity of hard-working New Yorkers, as well as the efforts our Administration has made to diversify the city’s economy. There are currently more private sector jobs in New York City than at any point in our history, further proof that New York City has firmly established itself as a national leader in economic recovery.”

- Mayor Bloomberg

Globally, New York and London are expected to be the world’s two most competitive cities in 2025, while Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo rank third, fourth, and fifth, respectively. As the top movers in the Index, São Paulo, Incheon and Mumbai are forecast to surge in global competitiveness between 2012 and 2025. Read more on NYCEDC’s blog.

New Life Sciences Incubator in Harlem NYCEDC today announced a...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:30:00 -0400

New Life Sciences Incubator in Harlem

NYCEDC today announced a partnership that will lead to the creation of Harlem Biospace, a new life sciences incubator that will provide affordable wet-lab and microbench facilities, specialized laboratory equipment, mentorship, and business support to early-stage life sciences companies.

Designed to help create a thriving biotech community for turning revolutionary ideas into products that will solve important health problems, the initiative will provide up to 20 startup biotech companies with the tools and resources they need to grow in New York City. NYCEDC is launching this initiative in partnership with Sam Sia, PhD, an entrepreneur and faculty member at Columbia University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Founder of Harlem Biospace.

“Harlem Biospace will fill a critical void that currently exists within New York City’s biotech sector, providing small and early stage companies with the tools they need to grow and solve important health issues. With increased access to equipment and mentorship, this incubator will allow these early stage life sciences companies to prosper and help make New York City a leading center for biotech innovation.”

- NYCEDC Executive Director Kyle Kimball

Harlem Biospace, which will be located at 423 W. 127th Street in Harlem, will further the City’s efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation across a variety of sectors. The 2,300-square-foot space will provide 20 companies with ergonomic work desks, wet-lab benches, and access to shared laboratory resources including a cell-culture hood, incubators, a centrifuge, an autoclave, a chemical fume hood, microscopy, freezers and all utilities, WiFi, and printing. NYCEDC provided approximately $626,000 in financial support to offset capital improvements, equipment, operations and programming. The space is expected to open this fall.

Read more in The Wall Street Journal. Entrepreneurs interested in obtaining space at the Harlem Biospace incubator should visit www.harlembiospace.com.

NYC Digital: NYC Generation Tech

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:48:28 -0400

NYC Digital: NYC Generation Tech:

Yes! If you know high schoolers who may be interested in NYC Generation Tech, encourage them to apply by this Friday, June 7th.

nycdigital:

Are you a NYC high school student with a long summer break ahead?

Do you want to learn more tech and entrepreneurship in NYC?

NYC Generation Tech is a 2-week summer “bootcamp” that will teach students the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, as well as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. After the 2 week camp, students will build an app and business plan in teams during weekly sessions and twice-weekly evening mentoring during July and August. In September, the students will demo and pitch their plans to a panel of judges from the tech, venture capital and educational communities. The winning team will receive cash prizes and all students are recognized at an awards ceremony.

In the fall and winter, students will participate in hackathons alongside professional developers and designers to further develop their skills.

Apply now! The deadline for students is June 7^th, 2013

Program Dates:
July 1: Orientation
July 8 – July 19: Bootcamp
July 22 – July 31: Mentoring Sessions, Workshops & Independent Project Work

Student Enrollment Criteria:

Strong interest in technology and entrepreneurship

Availability to attend all program sessions

Preference given to rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students (due to the rigors of the program)

Must attend a NYC high school with over 50% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch OR personally qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Learn more at: http://nycgenerationtech.com

nycgov: Coney Island sunset from yesterday. Follow Coney...

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:43:58 -0400

nycgov:

Coney Island sunset from yesterday.

Follow Coney Island on Facebook and visit Coney Island all summer long: http://www.coneyislandfunguide.com

This Week at NYCEDC: The City of New York launched Citi...

Fri, 31 May 2013 16:16:20 -0400

This Week at NYCEDC:

The City of New York launched Citi Bike, the nation’s largest bike share system, with 6,000 bikes now available at more than 300 stations around NYC
We sought companies who want to Hire + Expand in Lower Manhattan with our second round of Take the H.E.L.M.
We announced the extension of the weekly Rockaway Ferry service into the summer months
We asked you to join us at NYC BigApps CityCamp and Demo Night to explore NYC’s civic technology community
We heralded Columbia University’s Institute for Data Sciences and Engineering to help tackle big data challenges
We took a look at the refurbishing of Coney Island’s B&B Carousell and shared a time lapse video of its reconstruction at Steeplechase Plaza
We recapped the innovative Change the Course solution to repair NYC’s waterfront with D-Shape’s plan to 3D print new piles for our piers
We announced the second class of Design Entrepreneurs NYC, a free, intensive “mini-MBA” program that teaches emerging fashion designers how to run a successful label

Have a great weekend, NYC!

Photo credit: Kyle Kimball, NYCEDC Executive Director via Instagram

NYCEDC and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) announced...

Fri, 31 May 2013 11:20:00 -0400

NYCEDC and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) announced the second class of New York City-based fashion companies selected for Design Entrepreneurs NYC, a free, intensive “mini-MBA” program that teaches emerging fashion designers how to run a successful label. The program, which launched at a kickoff orientation and reception at the G-III Apparel Group (G-III) offices in Midtown, will take place during the summer at FIT, led by FIT faculty and other industry professionals, and will focus on fashion business marketing, operations and financial management.

NYCEDC and FIT also announced that NYCEDC’s financial contribution to the program will be matched by a generous gift from G-III. This gift will be used, in part, to award two participants funding to help advance their businesses. The top two business plans, judged by an expert panel at the end of the program, will receive $25,000 and $10,000 in funding, respectively. The G-III gift will also be used to provide financial workshops, networking opportunities and business-related informational events for both past and current program participants.

“Fashion in New York City is a $98 billion industry, spurred in large part by the success and growth of small businesses. Design Entrepreneurs NYC will help cultivate the next generation of fashion designers and businesses, allowing New York City to continue to thrive and remain the world’s fashion capital.”

- NYCEDC Executive Director Kyle Kimball

Read more about the second class of Design Entrepreneurs NYC at www.designentrepreneursnyc.com and learn about NYCEDC’s various initiatives to support New York City’s fashion industry.

How New York Could Save Its Collapsing Harbors Gizmodo looks...

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:57:52 -0400

How New York Could Save Its Collapsing Harbors

Gizmodo looks behind our Change the Course waterfront competition winner D-Shape’s plan to repair New York’s harbors with a 3D printer:

In December, the NYCEDC launched an open call for alternative ways to fix up the pilings, asking the hivemind of local engineers and designers to come up with cheaper, smarter methods. Several weeks ago, the group announced an unlikely winner: D-Shape, the famed Italian concrete 3D printing company, which received $50k for a concept that would 3D scan the old pilings and 3D print concrete reinforcements.

Is your company looking to move or expand to Lower Manhattan?...

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:33:16 -0400

Is your company looking to move or expand to Lower Manhattan? Apply for Take the H.E.L.M. NYC by July 15, 2013 to vie for more than $1 million in cash grants.

This competition seeks to bring startups, as well as creative and technology companies from around the world, across the country and throughout New York City to the Financial District in order to encourage growth and diversify the area’s economy. Learn more at www.takethehelmnyc.com.

Photo credit: Grace Cheung/NYCEDC via Instagram

Time Lapse: The Making of a Carousel (New York Times) Located on...

Wed, 29 May 2013 16:07:43 -0400

Time Lapse: The Making of a Carousel (New York Times)

Located on the eastern side of Steeplechase Plaza, the B&B Carousell is the only historic carousel in Coney Island and represents a link between the amusement area’s past, present, and future.

Built in 1906, the carousel features 50 hand-carved wooden horses, including 36 jumpers (up-and-down movement), 14 standers (stationary), as well as two chariots and the striking “Lincoln’s head” horse covered in bold silver armor. The carousel also features the Gebruder Bruder “Elite Orchestra Apollo” band organ, likely constructed between 1913 and 1916—one of only three existing in the United States.

The carousel operated on Surf Avenue for 70 years until it was nearly sold in pieces at an auction in 2005. The City of New York instead purchased the carousel to preserve this important piece of Coney Island’s history and restore it to its former glory. A team of carousel restoration experts and art conservators—from Carousels & Carvings Inc. and Intermuseum Conservation Association—diligently restored the carousel to its original condition, including a new, custom-carved wheelchair-accessible chariot.

Watch the carousel’s reassembly and installation at a state-of-the-art pavilion in the new Steeplechase Plaza, a two-acre public open space at Coney Island.

robsoucy: Manhattan Bridge. Chinatown. NYC 2013

Wed, 29 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

robsoucy:

Manhattan Bridge. Chinatown. NYC 2013