BP of Staten Island & TechNYC Roundtable | June 26, 2019
Borough President James Oddo hosted a Tech Day with Tech:NYC, New York City Economic Development Corp (NYCEDC), the College of Staten Island Incubator Team, and Lime to talk about and celebrate tech initiatives on the Island.
The roundtable comes as Albany recently passed legislation allowing local governments to launch dock-free e-scooters and e-bike programs, which people can access using apps, like the Lime bikes found around the Island.
Lime brought dock-free bikeshare, including electric pedal-assist bikes to Staten Island last summer with Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg
“When I was elected Borough President in 2014, tech and the creative industries weren't really on my radar. It started with my reading a CRAINS article and being struck by a quote from venture capitalist Charlie O'Donnell of Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, which led to a subsequent breakfast with him, and then various meetings and introductions to members of the already existing and burgeoning tech and creative arts community on Staten island. Fast forward to our meeting today with members of Tech:NYC, NYC EDC, the CSI Incubator Team, and Lime discussing the opportunity we have to help each other create a tech culture and community here in our Borough. Staten Island can be the next tech hub in New York City, and we want to be a part of the conversation to make it happen,” said Oddo.