New York Related News

International Business Updates from NYC

By NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs

IN2NYC
The International Innovators Initiative (IN2NYC) is now accepting applications. The IN2NYC program facilitates collaborative partnerships between international entrepreneurs and City University of New York (CUNY) schools, enabling entrepreneurs to be eligible for cap-exempt H-1B visas.
Through the program, entrepreneurs gain access to workspace, equipment, and other amenities at incubators located at one of six CUNY campuses, as well as access to a large talent pool of skilled workers.  In exchange, entrepreneurs dedicate some of their time and expertise to contribute to their partner schools’ community.
Applications are due on November 14.
 
Joint Innovation Challenge with Barcelona  
New York City and Barcelona announced a joint call for innovative solutions to enhance safety at intersections for blind and low-vision pedestrians. Competition participants can submit their proposals online. The deadline for submissions is November 2. Finalists will be announced at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona. The winning solutions will receive funding and be piloted at intersections in both Barcelona and Manhattan.

 
Launch of NYCx
NYC has launched a new program in the Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer that invites local and global entrepreneurs, startups, industry and community to make the City a proving ground for groundbreaking ideas and new technologies that have the potential to transform cities in a positive way.
NYCx will open spaces in the City as test beds for new technologies as a core part of the program. The City will also launch challenges that engage the tech industry to solve real-world problems and call on the tech vanguard to help the City advance its goals to be the most fair, equitable and sustainable city in the world. Co-Lab Challenges will invite startups and entrepreneurs to work directly with community residents to solve neighborhood challenges while aiming to scale solutions for common issues across the five boroughs. Moonshot Challenges will be citywide challenges that encourage global entrepreneurs to think big about NYC’s most ambitious problems, propose bold solutions and deliver groundbreaking business models that transform and improve the lives of New Yorkers. There are open NYCx challenges right now with deadlines in the coming weeks – click here to learn about the current opportunities.

 
NYC at Web Summit in Lisbon (November 6-9)
NYCEDCand its partners are hosting a pop-up space for companies seeking New York City expansion. The space, which will be open for the duration of the Web Summit conference, will provide awareness of new initiatives to help international companies land in NYC, allow for international tech representatives to meet NYCEDC and its partners, and create a “meeting space” for New Yorkers and the international community to mingle. If you or someone from your organization will be at Web Summit and would like to learn more, please email international@edc.nyc.
 
Women Entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs are key economic actors in New York City – building businesses that uplift communities and generate jobs. WE NYC (Women Entrepreneurs NYC) is an initiative based out of the Department of Small Business Services that is dedicated to helping women start and grow their businesses. NYC was ranked the #1 city in the world for women entrepreneurs for the second year in a row by the Dell Women Entrepreneur Cities Index, and WE NYC continues to build upon this success.
 
Sustainability Policies Implemented
Under the leadership of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, NYC has implemented wide-reaching policies to reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner technologies, including the first-ever City plan to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. In addition to protecting the environment, these policies are going to add to the already-significant market demand for clean tech in NYC. For example, in the last two months:

The de Blasio Administration announced the launch of its first large-scale solar program at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). The Authority issued its first Request for Proposals, seeking developers to install solar power at 14 developments throughout the five boroughs.
The Mayor also announced plans to significantly expand access to electric vehicle (EV) charging for residents by developing new fast charging stations across the city. As part of the Administration’s target for 20 percent of the motor vehicle registrations in New York City to be electric by 2025, the City will invest $10 million to develop fast charging hubs with up to 20 chargers per site.

The Mayor proposed mandates on NYC’s 14,500 least-efficient buildings to accelerate and deepen major efficiency upgrades. The Mayor and Council will work on legislation that will compel building owners to meet fossil fuel caps – requiring deeper upgrades to boilers, water heaters, roofs and windows on an accelerated 2030 timeframe. This will be the most ambitious program of its kind in the U.S., and will provide financing to support retrofits and steep penalties for non-compliance. It is expected to spur 17,000 green jobs.

 

Compliments of NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs