Press
Arlene Mukoko from Bronxnet interviews Rahul from Strong Arm Tech.
Press Links:
Interlaced on the collaboration between The Crated and 2015-2016 Fellows StrongArm Technologies and Bon Bouton
3M Announces Channel Distribution of StrongArm Ergoskeleton (via Business Wire)
Engadget features 2015-2016 NTM Fellow Thimble as part of “Kickstarter STEM Showcase”
Daily Dot names blink blink among the “Coolest” from Toy Fair 2016
Nightly Business Report segment featuring 2015-2016 NTM Fellow StrongArm Technologies
Time names 2015-2016 NTM Fellow blink blink one of “The Best STEM Toys for Kids This Holiday Season”
WSJ on 2015-2016 NTM Fellow Dog Parker
Eater profile of 2014-2015 NTM Fellow Poursteady
WIRED announces “Global ‘Maker’ Domination with Invention Contest”
Forbes talks about New York’s Tech Boom and Next Top Makers
New York Daily News places Next Top Makers on the cutting edge of 3-D printing
Bronx Times coverage of Next Top Makers Bronx Pop Up
Staten Island Advance review of Next Top Makers Staten Island Pop Up
Technical.ly covers 4 projects from the Brooklyn Pop Up
artnet news writes about Maker Faire and Next Top Makers
Footage of Mayor Bloomberg Launching Competition to Promote 3-D Printing & Innovative Manufacturing
What is New York’s Next Top Makers?
New York’s Next Top Makers is a community-sourced incubator dedicated to connecting independent innovation with local production. Through its network of partners, the incubator provides holistic support to startups that are developing and commercializing new products or methods of production. Next Top Makers is growing manufacturing in NYC from the ground up.
The program will closely support 6 selected teams of product entrepreneurs or “Fellows” through a seven-month Studio Incubation. During this time, Fellows will work with dedicated mentors on a Product Startup Plan and will gain access to: a network of manufacturing, design, marketing, legal and business experts; cash to spend on business growth; studio space; and access to equipment to prototype and manufacture their product. The program will also guide an open community of product startups through a series of community workshops and events that will help grow the community and support those interested in developing their own Product Startup Plan.
New York City Economic Development Corporation has developed New York’s Next Top Makers to help position New York City as a leader in the new production economy, stimulating the growth of an ecosystem that is dynamic, sustainable, and equitable for all New Yorkers.
What does the program consist of?
Here are some of the key highlights to look for from Next Top Makers this program year:
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Community Workshop Series for Product Startups: Starting in January through May of 2016, Next Top Makers and Impact Hub NYC will bring you a five-month series on what you need to know to launch your own product startup ranging from business planning to design for manufacturing to marketing to understanding users to legal. You will be walked through the process of creating your own Product Startup Plan over the course of five months.
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Next Top Makers Pop Ups: A combination of Next Top Makers hosted events and existing community events where we showcase what is exciting about Making in New York City. Look for the Next Top Makers community at events like World MakerFaire, SXSW Interactive, and Northside Festival.
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Studio Incubation Program: A customized seven-month accelerator-like program for six (6) Next Top Makers Fellows who will receive support to develop their product company through access to mentorship, expertise, tools, a prototyping budget and other resources as needed.
Next Top Makers is a program of New York City Economic Development Corporation, the City’s primary engine for economic development, charged with leveraging the City’s assets to drive growth, create jobs, and improve quality of life. The program is made possible through generous support from our sponsors including Microsoft, Nike, ImpactHub and Make: Media. Program operations are led by SecondMuse, and Imagination in Space. If you are interested in getting involved in the program, please reach out to [email protected].
Why do it? What is the value?
In 2014-15, we saw impact from the Next Top Makers program in the following ways:
Community:
- Reached All 5 Boroughs
- Featured 50+ Product Startups
- 60+ Press Features
- Engaged 1500 Community Members
Studio Incubation:
- 5 NYC-based Product Companies Incubated for 12 months
- 6 Full-time jobs created
- 600% Increase in Yearly Revenue
- 12 New Local Manufacturing and Prototyping Partnerships
- $120k Invested Back into Local Production Economy
Who can be a Next Top Maker?
The ideal Next Top Makers Fellows are NYC-based teams with a prototype (either “looks-like” or “works-like” prototype), a desire to take that product to market and an interest in manufacturing locally. Teams should consist of more than one member, previous experience working together is considered a bonus.
To apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old and be a resident of New York City or have a business located in New York City. Only one application per business or product will be accepted.
What is the program’s focus?
The program focuses on Next Top Makers’ commitments to, and engagement in NYC. The program will feature products that fit within one or multiple of the following categories:
- Made in NYC
- Designed in NYC
- Solves an NYC Problem
- Interested in Local Production
What’s unique about the Next Top Makers program?
In short – the spirit of collaboration! New York’s Next Top Makers is an unprecedented citywide collaboration around hardware innovation between government agencies, organizations, community groups and academic institutions. Over 50 organizations and individuals were consulted for the initial design of the program and have pledged support through a variety of resources and commitments.
