Tuesday, April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 

Happy Earth Day! In today’s digest, utility bills, bridging the digital divide, and a deep dive into climate tech. 🌍

  • But first: Are you a founder building something exciting in New York City? In partnership with the banking platform Rho, Tech:NYC invites you to apply for our exclusive "Studio Open Hours" at NY Tech Week. 

    • We’ll feature short video interviews with 10 founders, spotlighting the power and vibrancy of NYC's tech ecosystem.​ Apply by May 12 here.

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  • Join fellow New Yorkers in celebrating Earth Day this year with concerts, car-free streets, and unlimited and free Citi Bike rides. And don’t miss the free star-studded Earth Day concert in Times Square this Saturday. (PIX 11) 

    • Also Saturday: Streets will be converted into public plazas in over 50 locations, so neighborhoods can celebrate. Check out this guide for which streets will be closed to cars. 🌳 

  • With the weather warming up, stay on top of your energy bill. If you’re struggling to understand yours or wondering why it may be higher than usual this year, here’s a handy guide on how the bills are broken down and what you can do if you think there’s been a mistake. ⚡ (Gothamist)

  • The city has launched a new initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide across the boroughs. “Neighborhood Tech Help” will provide in-person support with internet, cell phones, and computers at affordable housing developments and community centers throughout NYC. 💻 (City Life Org) 

In other reading:

  • Who is behind the ‘new’ Absolute Bagels? (Grub Street)

  • Apartment hunting with Timothée Chalamet’s mother (Curbed)

  • Six places where you can find Dubai chocolate in NYC right now (TimeOut New York)

In honor of Earth Day, why not highlight the innovative climate tech striving to make the world a better place — right in our own backyard? 🌱

📷 The big picture: Because of landmark policies like NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act, which mandates net-zero emissions for large buildings citywide by 2050, demand for green tech innovation is skyrocketing. 🚀

  • This act, and others, are propelling demand for green tech innovations — catalyzed by NYC’s Green Economy Action Plan. 

  • For instance, community battery storage projects like NineDot Energy could power 5,000 NYC households for four hours on a hot summer day, according to the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

NYC climate tech by the numbers: 

  • In 2023, NYC climate startups earned $664 million in venture or growth funding across 34 deals.

  • $3.5 billion+ in VC has flowed into New York’s climate tech sector since 2021.

  • More than 133,000 jobs in NYC — about 3% of all NYC jobs — have been created by green economy startups.

💡 The future is bright: 

  • By 2040, NYC’s green economy will host 400,000 jobs, generate $56 billion in annual earnings, and contribute $89 billion to the GDP, according to NYCEDC. 🤑

  • That’s partly due to a variety of NYCEDC’s Green Economy initiatives, like the climate tech pilot program at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) in Sunset Park, designed to support startups that are piloting their products. 💚

  • Read all about it: These climate tech companies were selected last week to participate in pilots at BAT.

  • Plus, a new Climate Innovation Hub at BAT will grow NYC’s climate tech ecosystem by serving over 150 startups over 10 years.

Be part of the convo: Check out these cool NY climate tech events happening this week — ranging from all things arts & culture to social, and action/activism-oriented.

In other reading:

  • Oscars OK the use of AI, with caveats (New York Times)

  • AI agents are the catalyst for a limitless workforce (Slack)

  • How VCs can create a winning investment thesis (HBR)

  • Manychat, an NYC-based provider of customer and e-commerce service automation for brands, raised $140 million led by Summit Partners.

  • Tally, an NYC-based provider of software for onchain organizations, raised $8 million in Series A funding from AppWorks, Blockchain Capital, 1kx, Cyberfund, Placeholder, BitGo and Bloccelerate.

  • May 1: Tech:NYC, Pensar, and Two Trees’ AI Demos at the Refinery @ Domino, featuring AI agent demos from a mix of later stage companies and early-stage startups. Register here.

  • May 9: Founders NYC, by Union Square Ventures, Lux Capital, First Round Capital, and BoxGroup, bringing together NYC’s best builders from the most iconic companies — founders from MongoDB, Warby Parker, Ramp, Ro, and others — to talk about lessons learned, off-the-record-tips, and well-trodden tales with the goal of helping NYC’s big next wave. Apply to attend here.

  • April 23: Attention in the Age of AI with Gary Vaynerchuk, a discussion and Q&A on marketing oneself in the age of AI. Register here. 

  • April 27: hackNY Spring, a one-day conference for early- to mid-career developers who want to level up in tech. Register with promo code techNYC here.

  • April 28-29: Momentum AI New York 2024, to connect with people who are pioneering global AI transformation. Register here.

  • April 29: New AI Frontiers & A Hacker Night: An Evening with Databricks, Anthropic, Timescale, Patronus, & Weaviate, an AI Review event. Register here.

  • April 30: Empower & Elevate Your Workforce Talent Mixer, for employers seeking to connect with the brightest emerging talent in social media marketing, Python, IT, data, and cybersecurity. Register here.

  • April 30: Woo Investors with Robust Numbers, a 90-minute masterclass on financial pitch training. Register with promo code TECHNYC25 here. 

  • May 6: 43North Startup Showcase: Upstate NY, to hear pitches from founders in the 43North portfolio and across Upstate New York, and to connect, collaborate, and network with venture leaders and ecosystem builders. Register here.

  • May 6-7: AI Agent Conference, for leaders driving the next era of autonomous artificial intelligence, featuring 300+ world-class AI leaders, senior execs and top founders. Register with promo code TECHNYC15AI here.

  • May 13: Watches and Wearables, a happy hour by Remedy and Ganance for anyone excited to chat watches and wearable tech, featuring drinks, hands-on product demos, and a fireside chat. Register here.

  • May 14: Unlock LATAM by nocnoc, for VIP execs from leading U.S. companies looking to tap into Latin America’s $100 billion+ e-commerce opportunity. Register here. 

  • May 15-16: Black Women Talk Tech hosts its 9th Annual Roadmap to Billions Conference, a platform to forge connections, expand your knowledge, and drive generational wealth for you and your community. Register here and save 20% with code RTBPARTNER20.

  • May 23: NYPL’s free job fair & expo, focusing on tech sector jobs. Job seekers, register to attend here. Interested in tabling at the event? Employers, apply here.

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