This is the November 2018 edition of the Tech:NYC newsletter. If you're not already getting this in your inbox, sign up now.

Two weeks ago, Amazon announced it had selected Long Island City as one of two locations for its HQ2—bringing tens of thousands of high-paying jobs to New York. Here at Tech:NYC, we were thrilled to hear this news and we can’t wait to welcome Amazon.

From a talented workforce to local leaders dedicated to creating a business environment that attracts innovative companies, it is no surprise that Amazon would want to greatly expand its presence here. Amazon’s decision reinforces what we’ve long known to be the case: that New York City is the best place to build and grow technology companies.

While we are excited to welcome Amazon, we also recognize that many New Yorkers have concerns about the deal to bring Amazon to Long Island City. As with all major projects, it is important we have a thorough and well-rounded conversation about the plans’ benefits and drawbacks.

On the whole, we think it is clear that Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have made a smart choice and good deal for New York. The incentives being offered to Amazon represent a sizable investment in our tech sector and our economy more broadly, and ensure that New York will remain a leader in innovation.

Amazon’s expansion and commitment to bring at least 25,000 new jobs (not to mention all the additional jobs that will grow alongside Amazon’s) will support our already robust ecosystem, furthering a cycle of employees and entrepreneurs working together to build and grow new companies, all over the city. Amazon’s new offices will help highlight Long Island City and show how parts of our country that once focused on manufacturing can adapt to the jobs of the future. And Amazon’s commitment to work with neighboring Queensbridge Houses and local schools will help bolster our local tech talent pipeline.

Once Amazon begins its expansion, it will be important for us all to welcome them to New York and demonstrate what makes our tech ecosystem so special: our diversity, our creativity, and our commitment to civic engagement.

Julie

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

On the eve of the midterms, we partnered with our friends at The Verge for an election night watch party. Special thanks to Congressman Jerry Nadler, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer for stopping by! Recap The Verge’s coverage of the results here.

Our own Julie Samuels delivered the keynote conversation at this year’s MIPIM PropTech NYC conference, where she discussed the intersection of tech and sustainable cities with the Wall Street Journal’s Peter Grant.

With our partners Cornell Tech and Bloomberg, we spoke with JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes and JetBlue Technology Ventures president Bonny Simi for the latest Cornell Tech @ Bloomberg event. Hear the full conversation here.

Leaders in Tech:NYC’s fintech working group had lunch with Assembly member Clyde Vanel to discuss the future of the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries in New York State.

GET INVOLVED

Can your startup leverage its technology to improve the subway and bus service in New York City? Apply to the Transit Tech Lab and your company could win a pilot with the MTA. This may include technology that leverages machine learning, develops predictive models, improves real-time customer communication and much more. Apply by November 30 here.

The FinTech Innovation Lab New York, a 12-week program co-founded by the Partnership Fund for New York City and Accenture, has opened applications for its 2019 program. If you represent an early- or growth-stage company with solutions for financial institutions and insurance companies, find more details and apply by December 1 here.

Computer Science Education Week is taking place from December 3-9 and will be hosting events and hackathons showcasing the students in NYC’s public schools. We encourage all members of Tech:NYC and the NYC ecosystem to get involved by volunteering. Learn more and get engaged here.

Last year, more than 45 companies participated in the WiTNY Winternship program, helping to inspire, educate, and train more than 150 young women across New York City and beyond. This year, the program’s goal is to double its number of participants! You can help get them there by signing up to sponsor a paid, three-week, mini-internship for first and second-year women at CUNY during their January academic recess. More information about the program here.

Open Data Week 2019, produced by NYC Open Data and BetaNYC, will take place March 2-9, 2019, across all five boroughs. They just launched the call for Open Data Week 2019 event organizers, and if you’re interested in producing an event, or speaking in/leading a session for the kickoff event, submit your idea here by Friday, January 4th.

NYC TECH COMMUNITY EVENTS

November 29: Stacklist hosts a panel discussion of advice on securing early-stage funding, featuring insights from leaders at Union Square Ventures, Thrive Capital, and others. Register here.

December 5-6: The AI Summit, the world’s largest conference on the practical implications of AI for business, is back for its third year. Speakers include leaders from Tech:NYC members Google, IBM, SAP, Shutterstock, and more. Get tickets here.

December 5: Following Part 1 of their event on the new biotech frontier, New Lab, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson Innovation, is back with Part 2, a conversation on augmented humanity and emotional intelligence. Register here.

December 6: The Tech Incubator at Queens College is hosting a Pitch Night, an opportunity for entrepreneurs to network with VCs, startups founders, and other industry professionals, and compete for seed investments. For more details, and to register, click here.

December 11: Join Tech:NYC, with Cornell Tech and Bloomberg, for the latest installment of the Cornell Tech @ Bloomberg speakers series, featuring former CMO and Vice Chair of GE, Beth Comstock. Register here.

WELCOME TO TECH:NYC

A warm welcome to our newest members:

• 3-Legged Dog Media: a community-oriented and artist-run production development studio for emerging and established artists and organizations.

• CONNECTHINGS: augmented Location technology that boosts mobile application value for app editors and their users.

• Data In Motion USA, Inc.: firm specialized in websites & applications development, data management and project management.

• Exeltek Group: cybersecurity and digital privacy firm.

• Hope Trust: a technology-based company that provides services designed to serve the needs of individuals with special needs and the families who care for them.

• Loop AI Labs: Unsupervised cognitive computing platform.

• Stralto Inc.: startup and provider of  IT services and solutions.

JOIN US

Tech:NYC is looking for a Communications and Marketing Director to join our team. Apply now or share the listing with someone you know!

We want your company to be a member of Tech:NYC! Sign up at our membership page, and let us know if you have any questions.

Queensborough Bridge across the East River by Brian Kinney/Shutterstock.com