Thursday, January 29, 2026
In today’s digest, the cold continues, check if your apartment is rent-stabilized, and NYC govtech founders helping cities work better. 🏛️🧑💻
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NYC’s congestion pricing toll program brought in a whopping $562 million during its first year of operation, the MTA announced yesterday. That’s even more than the transit agency anticipated, due in part to efficiencies found in operating costs. 🚙 (Gothamist)
The agency said 27 million fewer vehicles entered the Manhattan congestion tolling zone in the first year, and that bus speeds have sped up 2.3%.
The tourist walking speed is still abysmal, though. 🙃
NYC is still digging out from last weekend’s blizzard, with snow literally being melted in giant “hot tubs” before heading to the sewers. The cold weather will continue with temps that could feel close to or below zero this weekend, and another possible snow shower Sunday. 🥶 (NY Post)
The MTA is deploying rail-bound jet blowers (made from repurposed helicopter engines) to clear train tracks and third rails.
New York City landlords must now disclose if buildings have rent-stabilized apartments. The Rent Transparency Act officially took effect last week, requiring landlords of buildings with at least one stabilized unit to post notices to residents that units may be rent-stabilized and how to get more info. 🏘️ (6sqft)
The law aims to empower renters to know if they’re being illegally overcharged.
You can also find out if your apartment is rent-stabilized by requesting your rent history through the state’s Housing and Community Renewal agency here.
In other reading:
Tech industry responds to governor’s AI vision, featuring Tech:NYC’s Julie Samuels (Capitol Pressroom)
Gov. Hochul touts Radical AI’s first-in-New York autonomous materials science lab at Brooklyn Navy Yard (Brooklyn Paper)
‘The City of New York’ logo on Mamdani’s jacket comes from city history (Fast Company)
Companies to Watch: NYC GovTech Founders Helping Cities Work Better
From helping residents navigate benefits and permits to modernizing public safety, procurement, and civic engagement, govtech companies are reshaping how governments operate. 🗽
Google's recent “Mayors AI Playbook” reflects a growing emphasis on collaboration between government and the private sector, a model Tech:NYC has long championed as the best way to deliver effective, accountable innovation for New Yorkers.
That’s why to kick off the year, and as a new mayoral administration gets underway, we caught up with founders from five NYC-based govtech companies who are helping cities engage residents, modernize systems, and turn emerging technologies into tools governments can actually use.
Here’s why they founded a startup in NYC — and some advice for others doing the same:
🧑💻 Austin Boral, founder of Civic Roundtable, an AI-powered government operations platform that helps public agencies coordinate people, knowledge, and work across agencies and partners:
“If we can help government work better together here, we can help public servants anywhere.”
🪜 Jack Saltzman, founder of Ladder, helping people access the government benefits they’re eligible for:
“More than half of New Yorkers live in poverty or are one missed paycheck away. If you’re trying to build something that helps people, this is a place where you can chip in immediately and learn fast. Why not start here?”
📑 Shruti Gupta, founder of PollSee, letting you civically participate, stay informed, and even push policy proposals straight from your phone:
“Whatever you think, think bigger. We’re in New York, baby.”
✂️ Amanda Levay, founder of Redactable, an AI-based platform that helps organizations permanently redact sensitive documents:
“New York will challenge you constantly, but that pressure sharpens your judgment and forces you to grow faster as a founder.”
🏗️ Tyce Herrmann, founder of Ulama, automating the review of construction designs for compliance with building codes:
“The startup community here is so supportive and is very grounded in the sense that founders here have a propensity to try and solve real problems.”
In other reading:
National Archives bets on AI to modernize museum (Axios)
Researchers are using AI to decode the human genome (New York Times)
Concourse, an NYC-based agentic AI platform designed for financial analysis, raised $12 million in Series A funding. Standard Capital led the round and was joined by Andreessen Horowitz, CRV, Y Combinator, angel investors.
Outtake, an NYC-based agentic AI platform designed for identifying digital threats and responding to them, raised $40 million in Series B funding. ICONIQ led the round and was joined by CRV, S32, and others.
Phia, an NYC-based platform designed to be an AI-shopping assistant, raised $35 million in Series A funding. Notable Capital led the round and was joined by Khosla Ventures and existing investor Kleiner Perkins.
Slice Global Equity, an NYC-based AI-powered equity compliance and management platform, raised $25 million in Series A funding. Insight Partners led the round and was joined by Fenwick and Cooley and existing investors.
Featured events:
⭐ February 25: The New York Official Cybersecurity Summit, a full day of expert insights, interactive sessions, and high-value networking with leaders across the cybersecurity community. Register here with promo code CSS26-TECHNYC for a free pass.
⭐ April 6-9: HumanX’s conference for AI leaders in San Francisco, uniting 6,500+ leaders, builders, and investors driving real transformation. Discover cutting-edge innovations and accelerate your impact through networking opportunities. Register here with promo code HX26P_TECHNYC to get $$$ off your pass.
Other great events:
January 30: BetaBagels 013: Your Community Boards, PIT, and Power in Local Politics, a conversation on how to use your tech, design, and analytical skills to support your neighbors. Register here.
February 2: Tech News & Breakfast, where you can meet and discuss the week’s news related to tech, startups, and business. Register here.
February 3: Founders Social, a curated happy hour bringing together founders, builders, and investors across tech, AI, and Web3. Register here.
February 4: What’s Next for Fintech and Crypto in 2026, a discussion on the emerging market trends, the evolving regulatory environment, and where the most compelling opportunities may emerge for retail investors. Register here.
February 6: Advanced Founder Roundtable Lunch, for Series A+ founders solving real scaling problems during an executive networking lunch at the National Arts Club. Application required. Register here.
February 7: TECH Basketball, an informal gathering where to play basketball and talk about tech startups and much more. Register here.
February 9: NY Tech Meetup: Gaming Edition, a gaming-focused gathering bringing together creators, builders, and players shaping what’s next. Register here.
February 11: Health2Tech NYC, an exclusive gathering bringing together the brightest minds in the digital health space. Register here.
February 24: Element 46 Tech Accelerator informational session, for Westchester County-based founders interested in applying for the accelerator program before the application closes on March 6. Register here.
February 26: Her Tech Community Launch Gathering, the launch of a new women in tech community designed to create meaningful connection, shared learning, and a space where your voice directly shapes what we build together. Register here.
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