New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) in collaboration with us, The Urban Tech Hub @ Company (UTH), and CIV:LAB, announced the relaunch of the Neighborhood Challenge: Tech Forward, an open innovation platform designed to crowdsource solutions to support the city’s commercial districts and small storefront businesses that are facing severe impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are seeking proposals to pilot innovative, tech-enabled solutions from startups, technologists, and innovators from across the globe. The solutions will help small businesses recover as they seek to reopen safely and responsibly.
The neighborhood challenge will focus on four areas:
- Digitizing business models
- Redesigning establishment operations
- Curb management and public space reconfiguration
- Mitigating and activating storefront vacancies
Up to two winning proposals, per focus area, will be selected to develop and implement their proposed solutions. With an eye towards scaling successful solutions, selected Neighborhood Challenge projects are intended to serve as catalysts for long-term sustainability and positive economic impact in New York City. Through a network of private and public partners and advisors, including the Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer, the Office of Nightlife, Partnership for New York City, Cornell Tech, IEEE, Fraunhofer IAO, the NYC BID Association, and the NYC Hospitality Alliance, support teams will be formed around each area of focus to provide guidance and expertise for selected proposals being implemented. Proposals are being accepted on a rolling-basis.
“New York City was built on innovation. That’s why we’re calling on the global tech community for actionable solutions that will help our city’s small businesses recover from the devastating impacts of COVID. Together, we aim to ensure that small businesses can reopen safely, responsibly and set up for long-term success and resilience.” Robinson Hernandez, Executive Director, Urban Tech Hub @ Company.
To find out more information on the program, the four challenge areas, and partnership opportunities, please visit: neighborhoodchallenge.nyc.
About The Urban Tech Hub at Company The Urban Tech Hub is a one-of-a-kind space built to support and materially advance the prospects of entrepreneurs and companies seeking to address New York City’s most pressing urban challenges in sectors such as mobility, logistics, infrastructure, open data, and clean tech. The Urban Tech Hub is a highly curated community of growth-stage companies working on urban-focused technology. The Hub fosters continuous community discussion, engagement, and thought leadership progression relating to urban tech solutions.
About NYCEDC New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, non-profit organization that creates shared prosperity across New York City by strengthening neighborhoods and growing good jobs. NYCEDC works with and for communities to provide them with the resources they need to thrive, and invests in projects that increase sustainability, support job growth, develop talent, and spark innovation to strengthen the City’s competitive advantage. To learn more about our work and initiatives, please visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
About NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About CIV:LAB CIV:LAB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working in New York and Detroit on urban innovation and economic development. CIV:LAB’s unique model, launched in partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is called the Grid. It harmonizes the urban innovation ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurs, city departments, academia, business, and community leaders within cities and around the world to identify urban problems, solve them, and scale those solutions. The ultimate goal of CIV:LAB is to build and enhance a network that accelerates innovation in social impact. CIV:LAB works in urban tech with a focus in areas such as accessibility, buildings, mobility, cleantech, waste, water and urban ag.