Wednesday, September 17, 2025

September 17, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 

In today’s digest, a supercomputer launches, the “trash revolution” continues, and HR tech thrives. 💼

Was this digest forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

  • New York City just got its first quantum computer at a data center in Chelsea (in the Google building), courtesy of startup Oxford Quantum Circuits and Digital Realty. The center will support applications in finance, security, and AI, including quantum machine learning and accelerated model training. 🤖 (Bloomberg)

  • You say you want a (trash) revolution… The so-called Empire Bins (AKA the on-street trash containers), will come to schools in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill this fall as part of Mayor Eric Adams’ “trash revolution” plan to combat the city’s longstanding rat crisis. 🐀 (NBC New York)

    • The expansion of the program to Brooklyn follows a successful pilot in West Harlem, where more than 1,000 bins led to a decline in rat sighting reports to 311.

  • All aboard, emphasis on all. A whopping 26.8 million commuters rode the subway last week, a post-pandemic record over a seven-day period. Each weekday saw more than 4 million riders, a first in five years. 🚇 (amNY)

    • Access-A-Ride paratransit service also experienced ridership growth recently, with August tallying the highest monthly total ridership of all time.

    • One more stat for ya: 81% of riders last week used the contactless OMNY system to board the rails, also a growing figure.


In other reading:

  • NYC isn’t just betting on startups. It’s betting on global scale (Forbes)

  • Mexico City’s most famous restaurant is coming to NYC for a 12-night residency this fall (TimeOut New York)

  • Daylight Saving Time ends earlier this year: Expect darker evenings sooner (Secret NYC)

The human resources tech sector is at a pivotal moment. VC dollars continue to pour into the HR tech sector as AI revolutionizes how companies manage their most valuable asset: their workforce. (Forbes)

The sector year-to-date reflects strong HR tech deal activity with landmark transactions as standout highlights, according to a new report from Drake Star.

📊 By the numbers:

  • There have been more than 650 HR tech deals globally year-to-date.

  • A total of $22.3 billion in capital has been invested in HR tech across the world year-to-date.

  • Global expected HR tech market value is expected to be $40.5 billion this year.

  • There is an expected 13.4% annual global market growth until 2027.

🗽 For NYC specifically, the sector has its own achievements to boast about.

  • There are 1,200+ HR tech companies in NYC, including 408 funded companies, that have collectively raised $12.9 billion in venture capital money and private equity. 

  • Out of these, 217 have raised a Series A round or higher, and 13 have achieved unicorn status.

💡 What’s driving the boom:

  • AI is redefining HR. From generative AI tools that help write job descriptions to predictive people analytics that anticipate turnover, startups are building tools that move faster and smarter than traditional systems.

  • Skills, not resumes, are becoming the new currency. Companies are prioritizing soft skills, upskilling, and internal mobility over static credentials.

💼 Looking for your next NYC-based HR tech job? Look no further. 

  • Here are 10 open HR and People roles for tech companies in NYC worth checking out from Tech:NYC’s Jobs Board.

In other reading:

  • What does your AI say about you? (Air Mail)

  • These are the best business schools in the world (Bloomberg)

  • What exactly are AI companies trying to build? Here’s a guide (New York Times)

  • Chestnut Carbon, an NYC-based developer of nature-based carbon credits, raised $90 million in additional Series B funding from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.

  • Vega, a Tel Aviv, Israel and NYC-based security operations platform, raised $65 million across seed and Series A rounds from Accel, Cyberstarts, Redpoint, and CRV.

  • The NYU Tandon Future Labs Catalyst Program, a 6-month, equity free accelerator for Pre-Seed to Seed tech startups, combining the resources of NYU Tandon’s research, faculty, and student body, with the network effects of NYC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Apply by Sept. 22 here.

  • Make it in Brooklyn’s Climate Tech Pitch Contest, seeking innovative NYC startups that develop cutting-edge technologies to address climate change and promote sustainability.  Apply by Sept. 23 here.

  • Visible Hands’ SEEN 50 cohort, for NYC-based founders, investors, and advocates of diverse-led teams, designed to foster networking, collaboration, and growth. Nominate a founder by Sept. 26 here or apply yourself here.

  • nextNYC’s Always Be Closing, for startups to connect with and pitch top NYC companies and organizations who can serve as potential customers. Apply to pitch at the Sept. 30 event here.

  • nextNYC’s Pre-Series A Offsite, where you can spend a day in Brooklyn learning from top Series A and seed investors, experienced startup CEOs, and fellow founders. Apply for the Oct. 15 event here.

  • The second annual Buildings Tech Lab, a collaboration with the Department of Buildings to advance the application of new technology to transform the delivery of public services. Apply by Oct. 24 here.

  • Entrepreneurship Assistance Center’s LaunchLab, a 10-week, hands-on business program for startups and prestartups looking to launch their business. Apply here.

  • Company Ventures’ Grand Central Tech Residency’s spring 2026 cohort, a 12-month residency program for founders and teams looking to build in-person in NYC. Apply here.

  • The Bridge at Cornell Tech, a new workspace on the Cornell Tech campus, is officially open. Sign up for tour invites, events, and updates here.

  • See NYC is gathering 150 New Yorkers for a three-day summer camp-style experience Oct. 8-10 to share ideas to build a better New York City. Apply here.

  • Company Ventures is hosting AI Review events, a year-long conversation series on the current and future state of AI. Submit your AI-related event for consideration here.

  • Union Square Ventures’ “usvwork” — a casual coworking day once a month for founders and builders in NYC. Apply here.

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

You currently have 0 referrals, only 1 away from receiving a Shoutout in the Tech:NYC Digest.

Or share your personal link with others: https://technycdigest.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

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.