A look at the New York Tech Scene from the NYCEDC Entrepreneur at Large:
This week, NYCEDC had an 'eat our own dog food' moment. We decided to have a 'virtual' office hours event for the Entrepreneur at Large community. We learned a lot, both about the tech and the city -- and most importantly we learned that we'll do it again.
First things first. There's a tendency to want to do events in person, at a location, and in real-time. But thanks to Google Hang Outs, the office hours were open and online. Now, just to be entirely transparent, it wasn't without its bumps in the road. Getting folks into the Hang Out took some effort -- and not all of the folks who were signed up made it. Not sure if that was because of tech issues, or if they just decided not to attend. But we sorted it out -- and those who did participate shared great stories about life in the NY Tech Scene.
The first thing I learned, New York's diversity and shear scale is part of what makes it hard for startups. One participant described it like dating. You know there's a right match for you somewhere in the city -- but find that person (or in this case tech co-founder) is daunting. Can someone use this dating analogy to find way to play matchmaker in tech? I sure hope so. One thing is for sure, dating is like being a startup entrepreneur in one way -- you have to put yourself out there.
So, expect us to do more virtual office hours. But we'll be doing physical ones too.
Next up -- office hours at Varick Street incubator.
Date: 12/18, from 4:30 - 6pm.
And, if you'd rather not do the 'office hours' thing, but have a question, you can use our "Ask the EAL" link here to post a question.
In other New York News, I'm thinking about a year in review wrap up post, but meanwhile, Business Insider did a post that has some good highlights (and low-lights). I could quibble a bout a few of them, but they nailed a bunch of what made this year so memorable. Maybe they should have added the announcement of the New York Tech campus, but heck I'll have my chance. Meanwhile:
Business Insider posted the 18 Defining Moments of New York Tech.
That's it for this week. Crazy holiday party season begins... now. Ready, set, celebrate! Happy Hanukkah everyone.
Tips, events, or N.Y. Tech news? Email me at Srosenbaum (at) nycedc (dot) com.