New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has launched “We Are Made in NY,” an initiative which aims to support the local tech scene by providing “resources and programs” that help startups grow, highlighting job openings at tech startups, and helping to introduce “novices” to the growing industry.
In addition, Bloomberg has announced that there will be a print and digital ad campaign to feature employees of certified Made in NY tech companies — not to be confused with New York Tech Meetup‘s Made in NY list. So far, that list consists of over 900 tech and digital companies that base 75% or more of their development in New York City.
This program, which was announced at BuzzFeed’s NY HQ, will tap the city’s existing Made in NY Digital Map, but will take the form of a campaign rather than a set of tools.
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In addition, the city is asking NY-based tech and digital media startups to “introduce” their companies by submitting 60 second videos that reveal “what it’s like behind the “screen” and highlight the thriving digital industry in the city.” The likes of ZocDoc, Vimeo and Songza have already taken part.
According to Rachel Haot, NYC’s Chief Digital Officer, “the ‘We Are Made in NY’ initiative will link jobseekers to career opportunities, and connect startups to a wide range of resources and benefits spearheaded by Mayor Bloomberg’s administration. We are proud that over 900 digital companies make New York City their headquarters, and thank them and our many partners in the initiative for helping to make our City the digital capital of the world.”
This news follows countless programs to boost NYC’s tech industry and embrace a digitally savvy mindset. Past initiatives include the Reinvent Green hackathon, the BigApps competition, the Reinvent Payphones challenge, a partnership with Code for America to help fix the criminal justice system and the upcoming Cornell tech campus.
It’s noteworthy that Mayor Boomberg’s support of NYC’s tech scene is nothing new.
You can see the event’s livestream here:
Image credit: GoodShot / Thinkstock
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