Brick City Development Corporation Supporting Tech Initiative In Newark

By Author: BCDC Newark
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Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC), Newark’s economic development catalyst, has sponsored and participated in a number of events collaborating with entrepreneurs and academic institutions to expand the high tech ecosystem in Newark, NJ.

One of the events that BCDC recently participated in was Newark Tech Week, which was full of energy, fun, and new ideas. With events packing the first week in April, the events highlighted the enthusiasm in Newark’s burgeoning start-up scene. The first event was presented by Scarlet Start-Ups, a NJ-based meet-up group, and held at Rutgers Business School. The room was full with 70+ attendees learning from the author of the book, The Pumpkin Plan.

The second event, TEDxNJIT, for which BCDC was one of the lead sponsors, took place on Wednesday night at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). TEDxNJIT's mission is to create an environment that will spark new ideas, motivate students and other individuals to follow through on their ideas, as well as encourage them to participate more actively in making a change in their communities. This year’s TedxNJIT event brought ...
... in nearly 200 people with 600 more live-streaming from over 20 countries in the world. The event featured thought-leaders in the Newark and technology communities including Randal Pinkett, President of BCT Partners and Campus CEO and Carlos Dominguez, SVP at CISCO systems. Also, Lyneir Richardson, CEO at BCDC, presented on a topic “Connecting the Community to Projects, People and Progress.”

Next up in this action packed tech week were several events organized by Blerdology, a social enterprise committed to the enhancement of the black tech community. Working closely with the Rutgers Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and BCDC to make sure the local tech community was actively engaged throughout the week’s events, Blerdology organized a Tech Policy Luncheon, a Tech Happy Hour, and a Hackathon. The luncheon and happy hour were well-attended by major players in Newark’s tech and entrepreneurial circles and allowed for productive discussion and partnerships. The Hackathon, also sponsored by BCDC and MailChimp, received donations of food and coffee from local retailers and Rutgers Business School donated space for this 24 hour event. Titled by Blerdology as “Black Hack Newark”, the event involved African American coders and designers coming together to create reduced price websites for start-ups and free websites for non-profits. Mayor Cory Booker opened the event early Saturday morning with motivating words on Newark’s growing tech scene before the teams started their 24 hour work. The winning team, Campus Board, was comprised of two undergraduates at Rutgers Business School. The team worked on building a prototype for their startup’s website and app which will take flyers and digitize them so that students have access to materials posted on campus boards on their computers and smartphones.

Prior to the start of Newark Tech Week, 60+ entrepreneurs met at K&L Gates in downtown Newark to network and learn with Brick City Tech. Attendees listened to Chris Guillebeau, the author of $100 Start-Up, speak about individuals who have built a successful business for under $100. Brick City Tech Meet-Ups have started to bring in speakers and conduct workshops on a regular basis throughout the city.

Additionally, from March 1-3, 30+ Newark students and residents participated in New Jersey’s and Newark’s first ever Lean Start-Up Machine workshop. Organized by Lean Newark and held at NJIT, the event involved getting out of the building, talking to customers, understanding their problems, building a product, measuring the value created, learning what to keep and what to eliminate, and then working some more. Mentors at the event included entrepreneurs from tech firms and start-ups like Outbrain, Qrious, and Audible.com.

BCDC set a goal to grow tech ecosystem in Newark. To achieve this goal, a team of BCDC, in collaboration with the city officials, is assisting high tech entrepreneurs, researching successful co-working spaces and also working on a plan for gigabit service in Newark.

“Newark’s tech ecosystem is growing, there is energy. We have a smart and committed team ready to assist entrepreneurs to create a profitable innovative economy in the city,” said Lyneir Richardson, CEO of BCDC.

About Us:

Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC) is the primary economic development catalyst for Newark, New Jersey, organized to retain, attract and grow businesses, enhance small and minority business capacity, small business development, and spur real estate development within the city. Read More... http://bcdcnewark.org/