New York City is looking for Big Apple makers to apply for Year 2 of its New York’s Next Top Makers program.
The application period begins today, Wednesday, July 9, and extends until September 3.
Six teams will be chosen to take advantage of a customized 12-month Studio Incubation Program, which includes access to networks, tools and space, legal counsel, product design, supply chain and manufacturing guidance, and more.
The program is run by New York City’s Economic Development Corporation, and is designed to increase New Yorkers’ access to new technology, assist a cohort of Makers to establish their product businesses in NYC, and connect independent Makers to production and manufacturing activity in New York City.
Last year’s group of Next Top Makers went on to launch successful Kickstarter campaigns, land institutional purchase orders, receive financial support from organizations like UNICEF, and deploy products internationally in post-disaster contexts. Products included the Slide Table, a table that could slide up to store vertically, MyBell, a customizable bike bell, and PowerClip, a device that enables appliances to be charged via USB from a car battery.
Beyond the six teams, all applicants, designers, and makers will have access to a wide range of community events that broaden awareness of and access to entrepreneurial resources. These community events over the course of the year will focus on supporting women in making, growing sustainable manufacturing in New York City, and sharing and spreading new technologies and skillsets with communities across the five boroughs.
The place to get more information, and apply: the program’s Web Portal (www.nexttopmakers.com).
Applications received before September 3rd are eligible for selection for the Studio Incubation Phase of the program. Public voting will take place from July 23rd to September 10th and the Next Top Makers selected for 12 months of Studio Incubation will be announced in September, at World Maker Faire New York, which runs Sept. 20 and 21.
The program is supported by Capital One Labs and Microsoft. Additional supporters include: WIRED, Cooley LLP, and Myers Wolin. Top Makers partners include Maker Media, SecondMuse, Upper West Strategies, and Nuams, with community events and story telling coordinated by Imagination In Space.
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