Dozens of business and tech leaders gathered for a tech mixer in Jamaica on Monday, Oct. 17, hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Queens’ oldest and largest business association, and Greater Nexus, a coworking space managed by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.
Leaders from Queens’ burgeoning tech scene networked and heard remarks from Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce; Justin Rodgers, president and CEO of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation; and Jason Myles Clark, executive director of Tech:NYC.
“The tech scene in Queens is strong and growing with startups and established companies looking for space and seeking out like-minded businesses to aid their expansion. We created Greater Nexus to be that resource,” Rodgers said. “Thanks to our partners at the Queens Chamber and Tech:NYC for showcasing opportunities to do business in Jamaica.”
According to Clark, the Greater Nexus space is a boon for economic opportunities in Jamaica and southeast Queens.
“As a Jamaica native, I couldn’t be more excited for its impact. New York’s tech sector is already a leading driver of the city’s economy, and its continued growth in Queens and the greater NYC region is essential to tech reaching its full potential,” Clark said. “Affordable workspaces like Greater Nexus will be important in supporting the growth of startups and other businesses in Queens and cultivating the leaders of New York’s burgeoning tech sector.”
With its diversity, education system and transportation network, Queens has everything tech companies — from startups to established industry giants — need to grow and thrive, Grech said.
“The Queens Chamber and the Queens Tech Council are dedicated to supporting a strong tech ecosystem throughout Queens,” Grech said. “We are delighted to be here in Jamaica, at the beautiful Greater Nexus, to connect with tech leaders in Southeast Queens. I want to thank Justin Rodgers and Jason Myles Clark, two wonderful partners in fostering the growth of tech in our borough.”
The chamber launched the Queens Tech Council 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. They recently announced the launch of an Incubator Spaces Program, which will provide free office space to selected tech start ups at Greater Nexus, and other sites throughout the borough.
