The Grid: Powering Networks
The Grid builds connective tissue between the diverse – and inspired –Â stakeholders that make urban tech happen.
A PLATFORM FOR CONNECTION
Networks - urban tech, or otherwise - provide access to new ideas, pathways, and opportunities. But unless you know someone, it can hard to get plugged in, whether you're an entrepreneur building your business, a community organization outside of traditional centers of tech, or an academic institution looking to expand its innovation research. And without strong bonds across the industry, organizations miss opportunities to collaborate on ideas, events, and projects. The Grid was created to build, strengthen, and democratize these networks and bonds.
A PLATFORM FOR DIVERSITY
One of New York City's greatest assets is the sheer diversity of its people. And so it is for the NYC innovators looking to transform their city with technology. The Grid's more than 80 member organizations, led as a partnership between NYCEDC and CIV:LAB, bring together many diverse insights from nonprofits to venture capital firms, the Bronx to South Brooklyn, neighborhood groups to global institutions, and each of urban tech's six core subsectors.
A PLATFORM FOR STORIES
While connections drive The Grid's mission, its nodes - Grid members themselves - are its lifeblood. They are people, and organizations, passionate about using technology to make our cities more livable, sustainable, resilient, and efficient. And they each bring their own unique resources, perspectives, connections, and stories to bear on The Grid's work.
A PLATFORM FOR ACTION
The Grid is more than a Meetup, a social club, or a networking event. Instead, The Grid uses its roundtables, educational series, community-building events, and commercialization support as an interactive, structured context - to build bridges; to get organizations from across NYC's urban tech community engaged with each other; and to define the strategic direction of the industry, together.
Simon Sylvester-Chaudhuri, Executive Director/Co-Founder of CIV:LAB, NYCEDC's partner in leading The Grid.
A PLATFORM FOR SUPPORT
While The Grid does not charge dues, each Grid member is expected to contribute in the currency most abundant to it - from thought leadership and partnerships to capital, brand equity, demonstration space, and more. Official sponsors contribute significant financial resources to make The Grid's operations possible; but they, too, are Grid members committed to tech-enabled urban development.
