2020 ANNUAL REPORT
So, 2020. Where to begin?
For starters, I’m incredibly proud of the Tech:NYC team for rising to the challenge and jumping into action at the onset of the crisis. Just five days after the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in New York, we convened our members to figure it out together — What would WFH look like? When would we go back? How could we support our employees and colleagues? In that early critical time, we kept the lines of communication open, helping our members navigate the “new normal” we were all facing.
And now more than nine months into the pandemic, Tech:NYC still serves as the go-to resource for not only tech leaders, but so many other New Yorkers still navigating the pandemic. We’ve put out nearly 200 editions of a daily email digest (do you get it?), brought our members together to advocate for and assist in New York’s recovery, and continued to support the growth of our sector here.
Tech has largely been able to weather the worst of the economic fallout caused by COVID-19. But that means the tech sector has the unique ability — and indeed, the responsibility — to support those who haven’t been able to say the same. We are up to the challenge.
It’s increasingly clear that tech jobs — and the companies that provide those jobs — are key to the future of New York. As we look to 2021 and beyond, there will be much work to do to ensure that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to benefit from an expanding tech sector.
Like everyone else, I’m glad to leave 2020 behind, and look forward to working together toward a just and equitable recovery for the city we all love so much.Julie Samuels, Executive Director
“2020 AT A GLANCE
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“Tech:NYC rings the Opening Bell
With some of our board members and startup founders in our network, we ring in the new decade at the New York Stock Exchange!”
“Tech:NYC, CUF publishes Plugging In report, launch TechSkills.NYC
In partnership with the Center for an Urban Future, we publish Plugging In, the first comprehensive citywide analysis of NYC’s tech training and education programs, along with its interactive mapping tool, techskills.nyc.
Learn More.”
“Governor Cuomo hosts the first COVID-19 press briefing
Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio appear together at a press briefing, promising to contact trace New York’s first COVID-19 patient, whose diagnosis was confirmed the previous day.
Learn More. ”
“Tech:NYC COVID-19 Briefing
Days after that briefing, we convene our own for more than 100+ member company executives — in person and virtually — to help them take their first steps into transitioning to a fully remote workplace.”
“Launch of COVID-19 Daily Digest
We launch a new daily digest with the latest COVID-related updates from both government and our member companies. The digest, now nearly 200 editions later, has helped our community make informed decisions about their businesses and their lives as New Yorkers.
Learn More.”
“Governor Cuomo’s statewide PAUSE put into effect
Governor Cuomo signs the ”New York State on PAUSE” executive order, a 10-point policy plan to assure uniform safety for everyone. It includes the closure of all non-essential businesses and in-office personnel functions effective that day.”
“COVID-19 Tech SWAT Team
New York State, with help from Tech:NYC, establishes partnerships with non-governmental technology professionals, many from our member companies, to form Technology SWAT Teams to assist with the state’s massive digital operations, logistics, and design needs for its pandemic response.
Learn More.”
“Summer Bridge Begins
We rally 100 NYC tech companies to provide virtual project-based learning opportunities for over 3,000 youth all across New York City during the summer.
Learn More.”
“COVID Alert NY exposure notification app release
We partner with the New York State Department of Health, along with Google, Apple, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and a coalition of technology and research partners, launches COVID Alert NY, the state’s official exposure notification app.
Learn More.”
“Annual NYC CS Fair goes virtual
Together with CSNYC and Microsoft TEALS, we host the seventh annual (but first-ever virtual) Computer Science Opportunity Fair for public high school students all across NYC.
Learn More.”
“COVID Alert NY surpasses one million downloads
The milestone is an encouraging indicator. The more people who download and use the tool, the more effective it is as an added layer of protection to New York’s other testing and tracing efforts.”
SUPPORTING OUR CITY AND STATE
In the early days of the pandemic and the following months, our member companies stepped up to support New York City’s and New York State’s response efforts.
COMPANY CONTRIBUTIONS
Tech:NYC, alongside more than 20 member companies, helped New York State stand up a COVID-19 Technology SWAT Team to accelerate statewide response plans. At the same time, many members gave back on several initiatives, helping secure PPE, providing meals to those in need, and helping source tech devices for students and others. Here’s our directory of many of the ways our members helped.
COMPANIES TO WATCH
In a year of so much uncertainty, many of NYC’s startups continued on with their core businesses, but they also adapted their tools to the moment we’re in — and used them to give back. In 2020, our Companies to Watch series profiled 25 companies working to provide timely solutions across all kinds of areas — public health, education, financial and small business services, and more.
COVID ALERT NY
Tech:NYC and the New York State Department of Health, along with Google, Apple, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and a coalition of other technology and research partners, launched COVID Alert NY, the state’s official exposure notification app. Now downloaded more than one million times (a number that’s growing everyday), the app uses privacy-protecting Bluetooth technology to alert users who have been in close proximity to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and offers guidance on how to minimize the risk of being exposed.
SUMMER BRIDGE 2020
NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program, Summer Bridge 2020, went remote this year, and Tech:NYC quickly mobilized 100 NYC tech companies to provide project-based learning opportunities to NYC youth. Additionally, Tech:NYC and other donors provided funding to ensure the program’s 35,000 participants had reliable access to technology so there was no interruption in their career development experience while working remotely.
PLUGGING IN
Tech:NYC, together with the Center for an Urban Future, published the first comprehensive analysis of 500+ tech training and education programs citywide aimed at expanding access to careers in the tech sector. The report draws from more than 130 interviews with tech executives, skills-building programs directors, educators, city officials, nonprofit leaders, researchers, and philanthropic funders. The report was generously supported by Robin Hood Learning + Technology Fund, Google, Bloomberg, and Verizon. See the full report.
TECHSKILLS.NYC
Using the key data and findings from the Plugging In report, we also launched techskills.nyc, an interactive mapping tool of those programs, alongside more than 70 in-depth profiles of programs across all five boroughs. The tool also outlines key policy recommendations for policymakers on how to close the opportunity gap in tech.
2020 NYC CS Fair
In light of the pandemic, we had to postpone one of our favorite events of the year, the NYC Computer Science Opportunity Fair. Together with our partners and the NYC Department of Education, we transformed the fair into a two-day virtual event that brought together public high school students with much of our ecosystem, including Tech:NYC member companies, CS education nonprofits, and universities to host virtual booths, webinars, and other interactive digital experiences. The students made visits to the virtual booths 18,000 times and sent out more than 5,000 messages over the event’s community live chat.
MAKING VOTING EASIER
Along with our members, Tech:NYC has long supported policies to modernize the way New York works. Since the issue was first proposed in New York, Tech:NYC has advocated for automatic voter registration, which passed both houses of the state legislature in July. We continue to work with our partners as we push for the Governor’s expected signature.
KEEPING NEW YORK MOVING
This year, Tech:NYC helped improve how New Yorkers move around our city and state. We advocated for the legalization of e-bikes and e-scooters (the law just went into effect last month!), testified in front of the FAA for federal approval of the state’s LaGuardia Airport AirTrain project, and worked with a diverse coalition to push for faster congestion pricing implementation.
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
As soon as we knew COVID-19 had arrived in New York, Tech:NYC shifted gears to support our member companies through their transition to work from home and to help them adapt to a “new normal” with their employees, customers, and other partners.
COVID-19 HITS NEW YORK
On March 1, New York identified its first confirmed case of COVID-19. The next day, Governor Cuomo held his first televised briefing about it, and before the end of that week, Tech:NYC convened 100+ member company executives — in person and virtually — to help them take their first steps to transition to a fully remote workplace.
TECH:NYC DIGEST
Just three days after that meeting, we launched a daily digest with the latest COVID-related updates from both government and our member companies. The digest, along with two comprehensive resource guides designed specifically for NYC tech companies, provided a reliable body of resources to help our community make informed decisions about their businesses and their lives as New Yorkers.
ECOSYSTEM POLLING
We began sending out daily flash polls to our network on topics related to remote work, employee wellness, and the evolving safety measures in place in NYC so they could compare their responses to peers across the tech ecosystem and inform future decisions. Nearly 200 data points are now collected here, and some of our favorites show that you look forward to the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule post-pandemic and that you’re big supporters of outdoor dining, but barely any of you miss live sports.
TALENT AND OPPORTUNITIES BOARD
In response to early economic fallout related to the pandemic, Tech:NYC partnered with AlleyCorp to create the first centralized talent and jobs board built specifically for NYC tech workers and NYC tech companies. It compiles databases of both tech professionals seeking new roles and tech companies looking to hire them — all in one place.
TECH DISRUPTED
Published in partnership with the Center for Urban Future, this report provided a new level of detail about the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on NYC tech companies, based on interviews with nearly two dozen founders, executives, investors, and industry leaders from early in the crisis. See the full report.
NAVIGATING NEW YORK’S FUTURE
In Albany and at City Hall, Tech:NYC served as an advocate for the tech ecosystem, helping our members navigate city and state government and forge relationships with elected officials.. Tech:NYC provided a leading voice to get hearings scheduled, testified at countless public forums, and developed common sense legislative proposals on several issues, including data privacy, the future of work, and cloud computing.
ADVOCACY AT EVERY LEVEL
In 2020, Tech:NYC continued to lead on tech industry ideas and legislation. But we also built broad, cross-industry coalitions on issues directly affecting tech companies. Tech:NYC and its members were also represented in several advisory groups and coalitions to directly advise city and state government of response, reopening, and recovery efforts. Additionally, we testified at more than ten legislative hearings and forums and engaged with more than 20 federal, state, and local elected officials and public leaders. Some of those leaders are below.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer
U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney
State Senator James Skoufis
State Senator Jessica Ramos
State Senator Liz Krueger
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
NYC Council Member Keith Powers
NYC Council Member Ritchie Torres
Robert Mujica, NY Director of Budget
James Patchett, President and CEO, NYCEDC
Bill Mulrow, Co-Chair, NY Forward Advisory Board
Steve Cohen, Co-Chair, NY Forward Advisory Board
Eric Schmidt, Chair, Reimagine New York Commission
Throughout 2020, Tech:NYC continued to make the case for New York’s resilience and why, even through uncertain times, it remains the best place to build a tech company. We did that by taking to the press, weighing in for more than 60 local and national outlets through 175 interviews, opinion pieces, feature stories, and more.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
The coronavirus opportunity: Spreading out NYC’s private sector
NEW YORK BUSINESS JOURNAL
New York City ranks second for world's best tech ecosystem
TECH IS COMMITTED TO NEW YORK
While the city continues to flatten the curve, it is also thinking ahead to recovery. So are our member companies — our ecosystem’s post-pandemic office plans, hiring projections, and other city partnerships confirm that the tech sector is committed to New York. Tech stands ready to play a key role in supporting our city’s road to recovery. Tech is here to stay.
FUNCTIONS.NYC
We revamped Functions.NYC, a series of conversations we launched last year, to bring together ideas on NYC’s pandemic recovery efforts. This year’s (virtual) series paired a tech leader with a civic leader to talk with our community about some of the systems that make our city function — transit, public safety, sustainability, and the restaurant industry — and what tools we need to support its post-pandemic recovery.
TALK:NYC
We launched Talk:NYC, a new podcast on all things urban life. Hosted by Julie Samuels, it’s not just a podcast about tech — so far, it has featured conversations with our co-chair Fred Wilson, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Council Member Ritchie Torres, fashion designer and entrepreneur Rebecca Minkoff, and more to talk about the future of innovation more broadly and what it means for all the types of institutions, industries, and people that call New York home.
NEW YORK TECH SENTIMENT
In August, we commissioned a poll to gauge the favorability of the tech industry in NYC. The results we got back were largely positive for the industry and for companies based here:
The tech industry and its leaders are remarkably favorable. Entrepreneurs are +45 net favorable (55% favorable to 10% unfavorable), startups are +42, and tech companies are +27 net favorable.
55% believe that tech companies bring jobs and economic opportunity.
There is an opportunity to make the tech industry feel more inclusive, however. 63% feel that startups are usually not interested in hiring local people and 53% feel that learning tech skills is often expensive and intimidating.
WHO WE ARE
In 2020, our membership grew, especially in the outer boroughs. Many of our members faced the pandemic head on, transforming their tools to meet an urgent need and devoting more time and resources to creating impact outside their own businesses.
OUR LEADERSHIP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shana Fisher
Kia Floyd
William Floyd
Guru Gowrappan
Desiree Gruber
Rachel Haot
Brian O'Kelley
Eli Polanco
Serkan Piantino
Kevin Ryan
Julie Samuels
Reshma Saujani
Kevin Sheekey
Ragy Thomas
Fred Wilson
Carly Zakin
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Tasso Argyros, ActionIQ
Caryn Seidman Becker, CLEAR
Brad Birnbaum, Kustomer
Aaron Block, MetaProp
Neil Blumenthal, Warby Parker
Noah Breslow, OnDeck
Anthony Casalena, Squarespace
Jeff Dachis, One Drop
Anil Dash, Glitch
Paul Daugherty, Accenture
Brian Distelburger, Yext
Lauren Santo Domingo, Moda Operandi
Amanda Eilian, Able Partners
Beth Ferreira, FirstMark Capital
Miguel Gamiño, Mastercard
Michael Gordon, MongoDB
Matt Gorin, Contour Ventures
Nadav Goshen, Makerbot
Jason Harinstein, Flatiron Health
Heather Hartnett, Human Ventures
Christine Hunsicker, CaaStle
Jalak Jobanputra, Future\Perfect Ventures
Harry Kargman, Kargo
Eric Kinariwala, Capsule
Philip Krim, Casper
Oliver Libby, Hatzimemos / Libby
Susan Lyne, BBG Ventures
Shan-Lyn Ma, Zola
Steve Martocci, Splice
Charlie O'Donnell, Brooklyn Bridge Ventures
Stan Pavlovsky, Shutterstock
Jeff Raider, Harry's
Daniel Ramot, Via
Zachariah Reitano, Ro
Nathan Richardson, The Points Guy
David Rosenblatt, 1stDibs
Jessica Rovello, Arkadium
Katherine Ryder, Maven
Jonathan Salama, Transfix
Paraag Sarva, Rhino
Steven Schlafman, High Output
Mario Schlosser, Oscar Health
Maria Molland Selby, Thinx
Edward Skyler, Citibank
Mike Steib, Artsy
Cari Sommer, RAISE Communications
Liz Wessel, WayUp
Michael Zuckert, Silicon Valley Bank
