The Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Queens Tech Council announced they are currently seeking applications from tech companies who are interested in office space as part of the Queens Tech Incubator. The incubator will launch at the new $11 million Greater Nexus in Jamaica, the recently opened 10,000-square-foot co-working space managed by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, with plans to expand and locate additional incubators in the Rockaways, Forest Hills, Long Island City and Flushing.
“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 fledgling start-ups succeed,” Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech said. “There is no better way to do that than through tech incubators. We are delighted to launch this exciting program, and look forward to reviewing applications from companies and entrepreneurs.”
The incubator launch is a key initiative of the Queens Tech Council, which launched in February 2021. Council members include Amazon, Google, Pursuit, Facebook, LIC Partnership, JetBlue Ventures, Crown Castle, Cornell Tech, the Business Incubator Association of New York State and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.
“The tech sector in Queens is thriving and growing, which underscores the importance of efforts by the Tech Council, the Tech Incubator and Greater Nexus,” GJDC President and CEO Justin Rodgers said. “Greater Nexus was created to nurture small businesses at every stage of their lifecycle with multiple space options and state-of-the-art features to support tech startups.”
Located at 89-14 Parsons Blvd. Greater Nexus features affordable and flexible workspace that can accommodate 75 to 100 individuals. Amenities include a collaborative open workspace, conference rooms, soundproof phone booths and a podcast room for content creators.
Greater Nexus also offers a large modular training space to host events, educational programming, networking and mentoring opportunities. The new space will be available to the greater Jamaica community as well as to the coworking members. The new space provides access to better equipment and services to help foster innovation and business growth in downtown Jamaica.
Applications to the Queens Tech Incubator will be 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).
“The Incubator Spaces Program is a great investment in our borough’s future that will propel Queens’ development as a technology hub by supporting the businesses creating the jobs of tomorrow,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said. “We in Queens embrace technology and innovation and are happy to welcome the tech startups that will find their homes through the Incubator Spaces Program. Thank you to the Queens Chamber of Commerce and all the members of the Queens Tech Council for developing this program and for all they do to promote the tech economy in Queens.”
The Queens Tech Council focuses on building an economy that embraces innovation and promotes tech adoption, from existing giants in established industries to startups working on cutting-edge applications. This means ensuring Queens is producing the talent that companies look for, that Queens-based tech companies are able to get the resources and capital they need, and that businesses in traditional industries are able to adapt to the changing economy, successfully integrate new technologies, and upskill their workforces to remain competitive and thrive in the years to come.
For more information, visit the Queens Tech Council website at queenstechcouncil.com.
