Greetings Bronxites and Techies,
We are delighted to share with you all the success of Bronx Tech Week, which took place from May 15th to May 20th, 2023. The first-ever Bronx Tech Week brought together tech enthusiasts, industry leaders, career-changers looking to transition into tech, and aspiring entrepreneurs from the Bronx.
Bronx Tech Week kicked off with a fireside chat featuring Jerelyn Rodriguez, CEO of The Knowledge House. Jerelyn spoke through a number of topics that sheds light on the work her organization was doing to provide opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds to overcome obstacles, upskill, and communicate their value to tech recruiters.
In addition to fireside chats, the week featured panel discussions that delved into career resources, career journeys, and the many paths available to break into tech. There were representatives from companies like JP Morgan Chase, Latinas in Tech, TikTok, and Bloomberg that provided relevant insights to our diverse audience. Notable members from New York's start-up community were also in attendance like Gary Stewart of Techstars NY, who emphasized the importance of providing support for underrepresented founders. The sold-out event provided guidance on accelerators, mental health, fundraising, scaling, and team recruitment.
But things weren't all talk as our event lineup featured a Bronx Innovators Pitch Competition, which showcased diverse startups in different industries such as fashion/e-commerce, construction, and fitness. Finally, the Youth High School Hackathon concluded the week with high school students presenting creative tech solutions to solve transportation issues in the Bronx. Overall, the week-long series of events fostered innovation, collaboration, and inspiration within the Bronx community.
Through the success and immense support of Bronx Tech Week, a new organization has been created. We present to you all Bronx Tech Hub!
Bronx Tech Hub, our newest endeavor, is an organization dedicated to building a thriving tech ecosystem that reflects the needs of Bronxites. Our vision is to bring technology resources, training programs, and exciting opportunities to the Bronx. We aim to create a vibrant tech community by partnering with key stakeholders and implementing initiatives across four pillars:
Education / Professional Advancement
Workforce Development
Entrepreneurship
Tech advocacy
Through these core pillars, we will empower the residents of the Bronx, bridge the digital divide, and ensure equal access to opportunities for Bronxites in a rapidly evolving tech industry.
In addition, we are excited to announce that we will be co-hosting with Techstars NYC for their Founders Are The New Popstars Summer Jam event on June 29th, from 1- 4pm at Pier 17. If you are an early-stage founder or if you want to learn more about the startup space, you need to be there. This will be a great opportunity to network, explore startup resources, and learn about New York's innovation economy.
Please register using the link below:
Together, let's unlock the immense potential of the Bronx and forge a brighter future for all. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from our newsletter and various social channels and get ready to join us on this incredible journey!!
Dream big and forge a path,
Bronx Tech Hub Team