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Tech Incubator Opens In Rockaway


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Tom Grech from QCC cuts the ribbon on the new tech incubator. Photo from QCC.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce is hoping to bring more tech companies to Rockaway with a tech incubator at 1 Beach 105th Street. 

On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Queens Tech Council were joined by business, government and community leaders to celebrate the opening of the Queens Tech Incubator in Rockaway. The Rockaway location and the Queens Tech Incubator at the Greater Nexus in Jamaica are the first two spaces to open as part of this initiative, with plans to open additional locations in Flushing, Long Island City and Forest Hills. 

“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 homegrown startups succeed. There is no better way to do that than through tech incubators,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “We are delighted to be here with our partners in government to celebrate the launch of the Queens Tech Incubator in the Rockaways,” he said. 

Three tech companies, The 3D App, DevJee, Inc., and Mind Lightning Studio have taken space at the Queens Tech Incubator in the Rockaways. 

The Queens Tech Incubator is a key initiative of the Queens Tech Council, which launched 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. The Queens Tech Council focuses on building an economy that embraces innovation and promotes tech adoption. This includes supporting tech companies from existing giants in established industries to startups working doing cutting edge work.

At the ribbon cutting for the incubator on Thursday, Rockaway’s electeds spoke of the benefits that the incubator has the potential to bring. 

 “As the Rockaways recover from the effects of Sandy and now the effects of the Pandemic, few places could use a business incubator better than we can,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr.  

State Senator James Sanders Jr. gives remarks on Thursday. Photo from QCC.

The hope is that tech companies can find Rockaway and help grow the local economy. 

“The Queens Chamber of Commerce has really immersed itself into Rockaway’s business districts, and this incubator is yet another way they’re helping to improve the peninsula’s economy,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola. “With this location, we are laying the foundations for future investments in the area, and we will hopefully attract more innovators and entrepreneurs to establish businesses here as well. The future here in Rockaway is bright, and with resources such as this one it only seems to be getting brighter.”

Applications to the Queens Tech Incubator were 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). 

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