Tech Incubator Opens in Rockaway
On, Thursday, November 17, the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Queens Tech Council were joined by business, government and community leaders to celebrate the opening of the Queens Tech Incubator at 1 Beach 105th Street in Rockaway. The Rockaway location and the Queens Tech Incubator at the Greater Nexus in Jamaica are the first two spaces to open as part of this initiative, with plans to open additional locations in Flushing, Long Island City and Forest Hills.
“Supporting a strong tech ecosystem requires more than just attracting the world’s most prominent tech companies to Queens, we also need to be doing everything we can to help homegrown startups succeed. There is no better way to do that than through tech incubators,” Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce said “We are delighted to be here with our partners in government to celebrate the launch of the Queens Tech Incubator in the Rockaways. Along with our location at the Greater Nexus in Jamaica, we are providing free office space, mentoring and valuable resources to seven startups to help grow the tech industry in Queens from the ground up.”
The 3D App, DevJee, Inc., and Mind Lightning Studio have taken space at the Queens Tech Incubator in Rockaway. B’ZT, FLVSH, Nourish, and Project Recess, Inc. have moved into the location in Jamaica. The 3D App is a platform for creating, managing, and viewing 3D tours of real estate properties for rental and purchase. DevJee, Inc. is a tech start-up focused on creating AI and ML solutions for the property management and healthcare industry. Mind Lightning Studio is a content, gaming, and production company.
Nicholas Conway, Director of Operations for Alma Realty, which owns the Rockaway building where the Incubator is located, said, “Alma Realty welcomes the Queens Tech Incubator to the Surfside Complex. This center will be a critical resource for small businesses on the Rockaway Peninsula, fostering greater levels of entrepreneurism and propelling business growth in our local community. Alma Realty is so proud to work alongside Chamber leadership and play a proactive role in the launch of this project.”
The Queens Tech Incubator is a key initiative of the Queens Tech Council, which launched in February 2021. Council members include representatives from Google, Facebook, Amazon, Pursuit, LIC Partnership, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Crown Castle, JetBlue Ventures, Cornell Tech, and The Business Incubator Association of New York State. The Queens Tech Council focuses on building an economy that embraces innovation and promotes tech adoption. This includes supporting tech companies from existing giants in established industries to startups doing cutting edge work.
Applications to the Queens Tech Incubator were reviewed and selected by members of the Queens Tech Council. Companies chosen will have access to complimentary office space, mentorship opportunities from existing Tech Council members as well as resources provided by the Small Business Resource Network (SBRN).
“As the Rockaways recover from the effects of Sandy and now the effects of the Pandemic, few places could use a business incubator better than we can,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. “We congratulate the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Queens Tech Council, as well as their local partners, for dedicating this space to the future enrichment of the Rockaways as a whole and New York in general.”
“One of the most important actions we can take as elected officials is to help create job opportunities for our constituents, and this new Queens Tech Incubator space will provide local startup companies the resources to grow,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.
“The Queens Chamber of Commerce has really immersed itself into Rockaway’s business districts, and this incubator is yet another way they’re helping to improve the peninsula’s economy,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola said. “With this location, we are laying the foundations for future investments in the area, and we will hopefully attract more innovators and entrepreneurs to establish businesses here as well. The future here in Rockaway is bright, and with resources such as this one it only seems to be getting brighter.”
