Friday, December 19, 2025
Welcome to another Friday edition of the Tech:NYC Digest, featuring our favorite five highlights in New York and tech this week.
Programming note: The Digest will be off for the next two weeks. We’ll be back in your inbox on Monday, January 5. Happy holidays! 🎊
Was this digest forwarded to you? Subscribe here.
Reasons to love New York right now (Curbed)
Because a truck driver spent 21 years making a completist city out of balsa wood. Because the 50th Street subway station is a destination. Because cell phones are banned in public schools from bell to bell, and students are chatty again. 🗽
Op-ed: Fix NYC's affordability crisis with a tech job pipeline (Crain’s New York Business)
“If New York is to stay competitive and livable, we must embed workforce development into our affordability agenda,” write Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez and Tech:NYC President and CEO Julie Samuels.
In today’s economy, tech is one of the strongest affordability engines we have. NYC’s tech sector is driving growth, but too many New Yorkers are still locked out. The city needs leadership that treats workforce development as a cornerstone of economic strategy.
New York must lead by example by removing unnecessary degree requirements and championing skills-based hiring that recognizes talent developed through alternative means like bootcamps and nonprofit training programs.
Strangers seeking life advice find it at the Grandma Stand, a rotating pop-up staffed by 15 NYC grandmas (Good Good Good)
A rotating pop-up called the Grandma Stand is bringing old-fashioned wisdom to city sidewalks, staffed by about 15 volunteer grandmas across New York. 💜
Created by Brooklyn-based Mike Matthews, the stand invites strangers to sit, talk, and ask life questions — from relationships to loneliness — with grandmas who “just care about you and who you really are.”
What began as calls with Matthews’ own grandmother, Eileen, has grown into a nationwide movement, with stands popping up from Central Park to Texas, Omaha, Denver — and soon Boston, Berlin, Paris, London, Canada, and Mexico.
How a Rockette spends Christmas in New York City (BBC)
Now celebrating their centennial year, the U.S.’ most famous precision dance troupe has long been the embodiment of Christmas in New York. 🎄✨
Now, troupe member Brooklyn Bronson (very apt name!) shares her insights on how to enjoy the city’s holiday magic, what the official start of the Christmas season is for New York City, and where the best giant Christmas trees are.
How well do you know NYC and tech? Take our quiz (Tech:NYC)
Think you’re an expert on all things NYC and tech? Prove it!
How many AI startups are based in New York City? Which NYC tech company was recently valued at $32 billion? Take Tech:NYC’s year-end tech in NYC quiz and see if you can snag the highest score (currently standing at 9 out of 12 questions correct)! 🤓
Want a cheat sheet? Check out Tech:NYC’s 2025 Annual Report.
Another pop quiz: What time is it? Answer: Time for the weekend. Have a great one, New York! 💯
Daily Digest Rewards 🎁
Treat yourself: Send subscribers our way, and we’ll send swag your way.
1 Referral: Shoutout in the Digest
5 Referrals: Obviously NYC Hat
10 Referrals: Obviously NYC Tote Bag
25 Referrals: Obviously NYC Sweatshirt
{{rp_personalized_text}}
Or share your personal link with others: {{ rp_refer_url }}
Any feedback or suggestions of things to add? Get in touch here.
Was this digest forwarded to you? Sign up to receive it directly here.