Wednesday, April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 

In today’s digest, the first NYC microhub for delivery trucks, get REAL ID compliant, and the new media galaxy. ☄️

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  • The deadline to get a REAL ID compliant identification card to fly is coming up quickly. Starting May 7, to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building in the U.S., you will have to show a form of REAL ID compliant identification (or passport). Check out this guide for all your queries on how to get one — and what happens if you don’t get one. ✈️ (THE CITY)

  • The first microhub for delivery trucks in NYC launched on the Upper West Side yesterday. The hub will provide a central place for delivery trucks to unload cargo and transfer it to smaller and more sustainable methods of delivery. 🚒 (West Side Rag) 

    • The microhubs will limit the congestion caused by double-parked trucks throughout the neighborhood.

    • The city plans to eventually designate 36 microhub locations across the five boroughs throughout the pilot program. 

  • New Jersey’s blooms are giving us a run for our money. Our neighbors have some beautiful cherry blossoms just outside NYC to enjoy. (Travel and Leisure)


In other reading:

  • Cassette tapes make a comeback at the first-ever NYC Tape Fair in Bushwick on April 27 (amNY)

  • NYC Gateway Tunnel expected to generate $445 billion for economy (Bloomberg)

  • NYC’s plan to add 14,700 new homes to Long Island City enters public review (6sqft)

The future of media is personal, portable — and powered by community

Last night’s Tech Founder’s Guide to the New Media Galaxy by M13 felt like a dispatch from the future of journalism — and it’s one where NYC's startup scene has a front-row seat.

The night’s standout message? The next wave of media powerhouses are independent creators who build trust one newsletter, podcast, or Substack post at a time.

🔥 Highlights from the New Media Galaxy:

  • Community > Audience: Alex Konrad (founder of Upstarts Media and former Forbes editor) nailed it: Today’s most impactful media isn’t broadcast — it’s built through relationships. Trust and authenticity beat scale every time.

  • Substack's next act: It’s no longer just for newsletters, says Substack’s Head of Communications Helen Tobin. With live events, video, and new creator tools, Substack is becoming a full-stack community platform. Revenue-sharing still skews creator-friendly.

  • Crypto meets content: ​Zack Guzman (founder of Trustless Media & host of Coinage) explored how NFTs and tokenized communities could turn passive audiences into co-owners of the content they consume.

  • LinkedIn's playbook: Tanya Dua, LinkedIn’s Sr. Technology Editor, shared how the platform is doubling down on actionable content from founders and VCs. Think less “viral” and more “valuable.”

  • Prove it: Polina Pompliano of The Profile (and a former Fortune editor) offered a masterclass in media entrepreneurship and how founders can break through the noise. (Tip: She’s most interested in stories about people who have something to prove.)

💡 What it means for NYC founders:

  • NYC’s media-tech hybrids (think: Axios, Puck, Newcomer) are carving out profitable, independent lanes. It’s a playbook local founders should study to stand out.

  • Venture capitalists are listening — not just investing — because the overlap between storytelling, branding, and deal flow is real.

  • AI and Web3 are serving as creative tools helping founders build communities that can scale trust as fast as tech.

📌 TL;DR: The media is decentralizing. And NYC’s tech community has the chance to lead this reinvention — one smart story, trusted voice, and curated community at a time.

Tell your story: In partnership with the banking platform Rho, Tech:NYC invites NYC founders 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.


In other reading:

  • Geothermal energy has been around for over 100 years. Why is it still an emerging technology? (Tech Brew)

  • Three clever ChatGPT tricks that prove it's still the AI to beat (ZDNET)

  • NYT Games launches a new multi-game leaderboard. Here are the details. (Today)

  • Ascertain, an NYC-based AI-powered case management assistant for healthcare, raised $10 million in Series A funding. Deerfield Management led the round and was joined by Northwell Health.

  • Healthee, an NYC-based health benefits navigation startup, raised $50 million in Series B funding, per Axios Pro. Key1 Capital led, joined by Fin Capital, Glilot Capital Partners, and Group11.

  • Miggo Security, an NYC-based application detection and response solutions provider, raised $17 million in Series A funding. SYN Ventures led the round and was joined by existing investor YL Ventures.

  • Nourish, an NYC-based nutrition counseling services provider, raised $70 million in Series B funding. J.P. Morgan Growth Equity Partners led the round and was joined by Thrive Capital, Index Ventures, Y Combinator, and others.

  • Salsa, an NYC-based embedded payroll provider, raised $20 million in Series A funding. Altos Ventures led the round and was joined by Greycroft, SemperVirens, Definition, and Better Tomorrow Ventures.

  • Sentra, an NYC-based cloud-native data security platform, raised $50 million in Series B funding. Key1 Capital led the round and was joined by existing investors: Bessemer Venture Partners, Zeev Ventures, Standard Investments, and Munich Re Ventures.

  • Tech:NYC and Rho’s Studio Open Hours at NY Tech Week, where we’ll shoot short video interviews with 10 founders, spotlighting the power and vibrancy of NYC's tech ecosystem.​ Apply by May 12 here.

  • FWB’s Friends with Builders, an R&D lab for building cultural applications of emerging tech. The program is for creative technologists — people who write code and design interfaces, architect systems, and consider their cultural implications. Apply by April 28 here.

  • Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, a four-month program providing funding and mentorship for early-stage companies. Apply by April 28 here.

  • Urban Future Lab hosts the Urban Future Prize Competition, which identifies and supports top climate-tech startups. Apply by April 28 here.

  • 5050 is accepting applications for 5050 Accelerator, a 16-week program for scientists and engineers looking to start deep tech startups. Rolling applications are open until April 25. Apply here.

  • America on Tech is accepting applications for TECH360, a program for students to explore artificial intelligence and develop an AI-powered tool to pitch to mock clients. Apply here by the May 4 priority deadline.

  • Techstars Economic Mobility, for entrepreneurs designing innovative solutions that generate greater economic mobility for low- and moderate-income Americans. Apply by June 11 here.

  • AcceleratorCON introduces Draft Combine, an opportunity for startups to be scouted by top accelerators and investors. Apply here.

  • Each month, Union Square Ventures hosts usvwork — a casual coworking day for founders and builders in NYC. Apply here.

  • Company Ventures’ Grand Central Tech Residency, for pre-seed/seed stage teams building venture-scale companies, or individuals launching a venture within six months. Apply here.

Any feedback or suggestions of things to add? Get in touch here.
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