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New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Biggest NY Tech Week ever shows Gotham's AI and robotics poised to challenge Silicon Valley's dominance
The Big Apple is getting bigger when it comes to artificial intelligence and robotics. Those growing industries will be the center of attention at NY Tech Week 2025, running June 2–8. It's set to be the largest iteration of the conference yet, with more than 1,000 events — more than half of which deal with AI — spread across all five boroughs and a total of 60,000 RSVPs. 3 A sign advertises the 2024 iteration of NY Tech Week, presented by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). Last year, there were about 730 events across the city. This year, there's over 1,000. Courtesy of Andreessen Horowitz / Tech Week 'It's an enormous milestone,' Julie Samuels — president and CEO of Tech:NYC, a nonprofit network of companies and entrepreneurs that is hosting multiple events — told NYNext. 'It's amazing how diverse our tech ecosystem is and that so many people will be here exchanging ideas.' The week's standouts include 'Next Play,' led by IBM and centered on the intersection of sports and AI, on June 2; Tech:NYC's 'Decoded Futures Social Impact AI Showcase' on June 6; and panels and salons hosted by the likes of Anthropic, OpenAI, Mistral and Perplexity. For the first time ever, robotics will be the focus of over half a dozen events — a leap from zero last year. 3 Tech Week is a decentralized conference made up of meetups, panels, and demos, effectively turning New York City into an open platform for innovation. Courtesy of Andreessen Horowitz/ Tech Week On June 2, New York Robotics and the NY Tech Alliance will host 'Exploring Embodied and Physical AI' at Civic Hall in Union Square. The event will feature NYU researcher Anya Zorin and her project RUKA — a robotic hand developed with Professor Lerrel Pinto at the General-purpose Robotics and AI Lab — which can sense and respond to touch. 'AI's all the buzz, right, but not everyone realizes that robotics is such a huge part of the AI story,' said Randy Howie, co-founder and managing partner of New York Robotics. 'Robotics is AI in the physical world.' Elsewhere during the week, founders will pitch their startups in a literal moving elevator at Hudson Yards and swing racquets at a 'Pickleball and Tech Pals' tournament in Central Park. And the city's biggest players — including Amazon Web Services, JPMorgan Chase, and Google — will host panels and private mixers. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) first launched Tech Week in Los Angeles in 2022. In 2023, it expanded to San Francisco and New York City. 3 Google is joining industry heavyweights including Amazon Web Services and JPMorgan Chase as hosts for events during NY Tech Week. Christopher Sadowski While Silicon Valley still paces the nation in terms of venture capital, NYC is increasingly carving out its own tech identity — particularly in the realm of hard tech, which includes robotics, advanced manufacturing and other engineering-heavy ventures that demand more than code. This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). Tech now accounts for more than 10% of the city's GDP (up from 6% in 2013) and has driven 14% of all job growth in the past decade, according to Samuels. 'New York is uniquely positioned,' said Ryan Musto, senior associate at Alumni Ventures and host of the 'America Assembled: Robotics & Trade' event on June 4. 'You don't have to go far back to remember when New York was the manufacturing headquarters of North America. It's in our DNA.' For most Tech Week events, admission is free but attendance is capped. Send NYNext a tip: nynextlydia@
New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Tech:NYC founder says city is in a ‘golden era' of innovation — and Covid is partly to thank
NY: Tech Week has become one of, if not, the most important event for startups and VCs in New York with investors like a16z and Union Square all hosting events next week. Ahead of the convention, I spoke with Julie Samuels, the President and CEO of Tech:NYC and a driving force behind Tech Week. She founded Tech:NYC — which aims to foster the growth of the industry through advocacy, events, and policy work — in 2016 when Gotham was still emerging as a potential hub. Advertisement 3 Julie Samuels has become a de facto liaison between the tech community in New York and government officials. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post 'We were still talking about which city, which region of the US would be number two behind the Valley, which sounds, I mean, which sounds crazy,' Samuels recalled. Today, New York City is a dominant tech center in its own right, with over 25,000 tech-enabled startups and major players like Google and Amazon. Samuels thinks the fact that New Yorkers have interests beyond AI and APIs is a huge advantage over Silicon Valley's insular tech culture. This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). Advertisement The fact that New York City is home to industries like fashion, media, and finance not only attracts a more diverse kind of person but also encourages them to think about broader applications of technology. 'I think it's much healthier and much more dynamic than what's happening in the Valley — it's so much more integrated into other industries… it's much healthier for the economy' she explained. 'You're not just in this little bubble where you're only learning about AI and talking with other people in AI… and I think that's reflected in a lot of the companies in New York.' She notes that the pandemic freed up Silicon Valley talent to live wherever and many decided to relocate to NYC. 3 Samuels believes that tech giants are helping revitalize NYC real estate. Photo by Hollis Johnson / Amazon Advertisement 'That stronghold really broke during Covid,' she said. 'New York saw more new tech employees moving here.' That's created a rich environment. 'You uniquely have an industry of people who love New York. That's amazing,' she said. 'We're in this golden era of tech in New York where people are choosing to be here. And that's awesome.' It's also been a boon for NYC real estate. Advertisement 3 Amazon's newest NYC office is in the old Lord & Taylor building. Photo by Hollis Johnson / Amazon While the failed Amazon HQ2 project in Queens was 'terrible for New York,' Samuels noted that the company has since poured a fortune into their physical presence. 'Since that happened, Amazon bought the old Lord & Taylor Building on Fifth Avenue which… now is completely full.' Similarly, Google's renovation of St. John's Terminal on the West Side exemplifies how tech companies are breathing new life into historic spaces. 'We see other tech companies doing that too, by the way. It really speaks to how New York evolves as a city, that new industries come into these older spaces,' Samuels observes. 'So we have to figure out how to revive our infrastructure, how to revive our buildings. And tech is driving that. It's really, really important for the future of the city.'
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Hamptons gears up for another summer of vacation and regulation
Memorial Day kicks off summer — and the influx of seasonal residents to the Hamptons. But it's not all sunshine and revelry. Prompted by a vocal group of year-round residents, several towns on Long Island's East End are imposing ever stricter laws and regulations, casting a shadow over the region's vibrant summer scene. Perhaps the most visible example to residents and tourists alike is Duryea's, which was only allowed to open this summer because the New York state supreme court stepped in, sources told me. As I've previously reported, the beloved Montauk restaurant, which is owned by Marc Rowan, has faced years of legal action. First the Town of East Hampton demanded it upgrade the septic system and then prohibited it from getting the permits needed to do so. Earlier this month, it looked like Duryea's might be closed for the whole summer. 3 The New York State Supreme Court had to step in to ensure Duryea's in Montauk could open. But, I'm told, the State Supreme Court has intervened and allowed the installation of a state-of-the art septic system, enabling the restaurant to open for the upcoming holiday weekend, though litigation with the town is still pending. The Duryea's drama is just the latest in a string of sagas. Town boards in the Hamptons are infamous for trying to micromanage everything from leaf blower usage and landscape lighting wattage to whether people can spontaneously dance at a tavern. 3 Pickleball has become another sore spot for residents as towns clamp down on new and existing courts. Tamara Beckwith Over the past year, pickleball courts, house size and who can fly into the public airport have been primary targets. The regulations have frustrated businesses and restaurants, pushing some to flee to summer locales with less red tape. Last fall, East Hampton and Southampton cracked down on residential pickleball courts and their noise. A new law demands that 'Pickleball courts must be surrounded on three sides by an eight-foot sound-attenuation wall, placed no further than 10 feet from the edge of the court, constructed of a minimum of ¾-inch planking.' Such soundproofing can cost homeowners upwards of $100,000. This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). This comes after towns like North Haven enacted a six-month moratorium on any residential pickleball courts being built — or tennis courts being transformed to pickleball courts. In December, the town of East Hampton passed a law that will not only prevent anyone from building a home larger than 10,000-square-foot, in an effort to preserve the town's 'rural character,' but also limit any new homes (or expansion) to just 10% of a lot's square footage. For instance, a quarter-acre lot would now only allow a 2,000-square-foot home, while a half-acre would only permit a 3,600 square foot home, making it impossible for residents to work towards building a sun room or remodel a smaller home. The new law goes into effect July 1. 3 East Hampton has been embroiled with the local airport about noise complaints and the number of flights. Dennis A. Clark The Town of East Hampton is also still embroiled in a legal dispute over its airport — the Hampton's primary airport. Over the past three years, the town has spent more than $5 million on lawyers as it tries to limit flights and noise. It is just the latest move in the decade-old legal battle. Of course, the town putting the squeeze on business owners is not new. Business owners tell me they still keep the flame alive for iconic advertising executive Jerry Delefemaina. In 1997, he was arrested and handcuffed for placing Thanksgiving decorations — hay bales, corn stalks and pumpkins — outside his Redhorse Food Market in East Hampton. The town said it violated a rule that prohibits stores from advertising on the property outside their storefront. While it's still a rallying cry, it's also a sign that over the decades not much seems to have changed. Send NYNext a tip: nynextlydia@
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
NYNext Guide to: The Hamptons Power Circuit
Forget the power lunch. In the Hamptons, power-brokering is an all-day affair. Titans of industry, A-Listers and up-and-comers mix-and-mingle from sun up to sun down and into the wee hours — at humble breakfast haunts, unassuming beaches and buzzy restaurants owned by billionaires with more interest in relevance than revenue. 19 From sunrise sound baths to sunset negronis, NYNext's guide maps out a full day of power in the Hamptons. New York Post Advertisement Here is NYNext's guide to the Hamptons power circuit, from morning to night. Morning Carissa's the Bakery 221 Pantigo Road, East Hampton; 68 Newtown Lane, East Hampton; 3 Bay Street, Sag Harbor 19 Owner Carissa Waechter stands behind the counter of Carissa's the Bakery on Pantigo Road, which opened ahead of the 2019 summer. Merlin Productions Spotted: Mickey Drexler, Justin Bieber, Katie Couric, Stanley Tucci, Ina Garten Advertisement The vibe, from someone who knows: 'Carissa's feels like a shrine to the beautiful and aspirational life that so many of its customers already have. The Italian marble that graces its Sag Harbor location costs more than most coffee shops could hope to make in a year.' A James Beard Award winner, Carissa's draws a connected crowd to its three locations. Well-heeled Hamptonians queue up for perfect croissants, hearty Slavic-style black fennel bread and the famed beet-and-kimchi reuben. Sure, you might have to wait a half hour, but you never know who you'll see. Advertisement Estia's Little Kitchen 1615 Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor 19 Estia's, located directly off of the Sag Harbor turnpike, is a favorite among bankers and celebrities. Insiders told NYNext that the huevos rancheros can't be beat. Estia's Little Kitchen Spotted: Drew Barrymore, Mariska Hargitay, Blackstone's Jon Gray, Justin Timberlake's lawyer Eddie Burke Jr. Advertisement The vibe, from someone who knows: 'Estia's unassuming exterior belies the net worth of those eating inside.' This cantina off the turnpike has a low key vibe — paper napkins, reasonable-for-the-Hamptons prices — but it's a favorite among East End power brokers and celebs with a taste for simple, farm-to-table Mexican fare. Be there when the front door unlocks at 9 a.m. or prepare to make yourself comfy in the 'holding' garden, where restaurateur Colin Ambrose grows much of the produce used in dishes like his famed huevos rancheros. Equinox Hamptons 204 Butter Lane, Bridgehampton 19 Equinox Hamptons is a seasonal pop-up housed in a 1920s potato barn in Bridgehampton. The gym offers numerous workout classes including MetCon3 and Stacked. Equinox Spotted: Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez, Ty Jerome, Braxton Berrios The vibe, from someone who knows: 'The simplest gym you'll ever be caught working out next to an NFL quarterback in.' Advertisement Nicknamed 'The Lodge,' this seasonal pop-up in an old potato barn trades city steel for reclaimed wood and artificial black turf. Visit the Atrium for signature classes such as Stacked, and the Courtyard for strength training on beautiful, high-end machines. 19 At Equinox Hamptons, workout classes are held in an open-air space called the Atrium. Equinox After your workout, grab a Bonberi juice from the café bar and recover with a cold plunge and a stop at one of the Therabody stations. Advertisement Shou Sugi Ban House 337 Montauk Highway, Water Mill 19 The five-acre Shou Sugi Ban House is equal parts zen temple and wellness lab. Fredrika Stjarne//Shou Sugi Ban House Spotted: Stella McCartney, skincare guru Dr. Barbara Sturm, Kate Hudson Advertisement The vibe, from someone who knows: 'If Jaclyn, Kate and Laurie from 'The White Lotus' had known about Shui Suig, they likely could've skipped Thailand altogether.' At this serene, five-acre wellness resort and day spa, guests rise with the sun for guided breath-work and end the day with seasonal broths prepared by the on-site culinary team. The hours between are filled with lymphatic drainage, sound baths, colon hydrotherapy, reishi mushroom facials, Tok Sen massages, Shamanic healing sessions and crystal journeys. 19 The meditation pavilion is a serene venue for sunrise breath work. Fredrika Stjarne//Shou Sugi Ban House Advertisement As one insider put it to NYNext, it's one of the few places 'you can discuss unpasteurized milk — or your preferred form of colostrum — without getting a strange look.' Afternoon Sunset Beach 35 Shore Road, Shelter Island Heights 19 The iconic Sunset Beach is, as one source told NYNext, 'the closest thing you can get to a European feeling beach club out East.' Merlin Productions Spotted: Karlie Kloss, Jon Hamm, Liev Schreiber The vibe, from someone who knows: 'It is the closest thing you can get to a European-feeling beach club out East. The yellow-striped umbrellas and outdoor games truly make you feel like you landed in the French Riviera — hence its nickname, PMS or 'Poor Man's St. Tropez.'' On any given weekend, dozens of yachts moor outside André Balazs' stylish beachfront hotel and restaurant, with tenders ferrying owners and guests to shore. 'The whole experience is about arriving by boat,' one frequent diner told NYNext. Once on land, guests disperse to a beachside 'sandbox' designed for larger crowds, a covered middle deck or a top sun deck that functions as a sort of a private club for friends of Balazs. 19 André Balazas doesn't miss, and his restaurant at Sunset Beach is no exception. Merlin Productions When the sun goes down, the west-facing beach is an ideal venue for sunset Instagram pics. The party continues into the wee hours, with both the kitchen and dance floor staying open late on especially busy nights. Gibson Beach 239 Gibson Lane, Sagaponack 19 At Gibson Beach, the crowd skews older, richer and quieter. Locals have dubbed it 'Media Beach.' The Access with Dignity Project / Facebook Spotted: Jimmy Fallon, Matthew Broderick, Neil Patrick Harris The vibe, from someone who knows: 'The epitome of quiet luxury.' While twentysomething VCs, off-duty pro athletes and influencers line up to catch a wave at Montauk's famously performative Ditch Plains, Gibson Beach is for those who prefer discretion. The crowd skews older, richer and quieter. It's the kind of place where the media class can sun itself without fear of bumping into anyone with a ring light. Gibson is so exclusive, in fact, the village recently moved to wrest control from the town — setting off a public-vs-private beach access fight. 19 Two surfers at Ditch Plains take in the rolling waves. The beach is less exclusive than Gibson Beach. Gordon M. Grant The beach is also notorious for having zero cell service (which many say is part of the appeal). Some hedge funders have been known to bring Elon Musk's portable Starlink satellite broadband dish to enjoy fast internet and avoid dropped calls. No website. Duryea's Montauk 65 Tuthill Road, Montauk 19 There's a lot to like about Duryea's, which sits right up against Fort Pond Bay. But the restaurant may be to blame for the return-to-office push, as it was here that David Solomon was reportedly approached by a junior employee enjoying a leisurely lunch on a weekday during the summer of 2023. Duryea's Montauk / Facebook Spotted: David Solomon, Julianne Moore The vibe, from someone who knows: 'Sitting at Duryea's with the sun and the breeze and that tomato salad and those oysters feels like a little slice of heaven.' The restaurant best-known for its $100 Lobster Cobb salad — yes, it's worth it — is mercifully back this season despite an ongoing dispute with the town over its septic system. After much clamor, both the flagship outpost in Montauk and the Orient Point location are open for lunch and dinner reservations — much to the relief of both seafood enthusiasts and the restaurant's owner, Apollo CEO Marc Rowan. 19 Sources tell NYNext that the $100 Lobster Cobb salad is worth every penny. Duryea's Montauk / Facebook Just be careful who you run into. In the summer of 2023, David Solomon reportedly had an encounter with a junior Goldman Sachs analyst enjoying a leisurely weekday lunch. The incident supposedly led to Solomon putting the kibosh on remote work. Evening The Surf Lodge 183 Edgemere Street, Montauk 19 The Surf Lodge in Montauk has been a nightlife mainstay since it reopened in 2008. Merlin Productions Spotted: Malia Obama, 50 Cent, newlyweds Jake Bongiovi and Millie Bobby Brown The vibe, from someone who knows: 'Legendary. The see-and-be-seen place in the Hamptons for more than 20 years.' Built in 1967 as a divey surfer motel, the Lodge has become an icon of Hamptons nightlife thanks to Brazilian businesswoman Jayma Cardoso. In 2008, she reopened it as a boutique hotel, restaurant and concert venue. The Lodge hasn't seen a slow day since, with people regularly shelling out as much as $10,000 for a table at the club and the coveted wrist-bands that let you close to the DJ booth. The outdoor stage that backs up against Fort Pond is the main attraction. Over the years, it's hosted performances by Willie Nelson, John Legend, Courtney Love, Halsey, Leon Bridges and many others. 19 The stage atop the deck behind The Surf Lodge has, over the years, hosted performances from John Legend, Courtney Love, Halsey, Leon Bridges and many others. Christian Johnston, Merlin Productions Despite the town's efforts to rein in the good times — at present, outdoor musical performances must end by 8 p.m. — the Lodge still attracts a young, cool crowd of artists and fashionistas (and, yes, plenty of finance bros as well). Le Bilboquet 1 Long Wharf, Sag Harbor 19 At Le Bilboquet, Sag Harbor's most theatrical dinner scene unfolds amidst flickering candlelight, seafood towers and strong negronis. Merlin Productions Spotted: Gwyneth Paltrow, Kendall Jenner, Eric Schmidt, Hugh Jackman The vibe, from someone who knows: 'Bilboquet may be one of the only restaurants where every one of the half dozen maître d's has a fancier watch than you do.' Despite its French-leaning menu — foie gras, Dover sole, the signature Cajun chicken — Le Bilboquet is more social club than fine dining institution, which is fortunate because the quality of food today isn't quite what it once was. Tables turn slowly and waitstaff move even slower, but no one seems to mind. At night, the place really comes into its own when DJs such as Olivier Meiji turn up the music. 19 The dining room at Le Bilboquet looks out on the picturesque Sag Harbor marina. Le Bilboquet The glamor is backed by investors Ron Perelman, Eric Clapton and Steven Witkoff, who help subsidize employee's generous salaries. The trio helped the Upper East Side mainstay reopen on East 60th Street in 2013, and then expanded the empire to Sag Harbor in 2017 and Palm Beach in 2021. This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). Tutto il Giorno 56 Nugent St., Southampton; 16 Main St., Sag Harbor (and Tutto Caffe: 55 Main St., East Hampton) 19 Tucked behind Tutto Il Giorno's shingled façade lies a garden patio that feels more like a Mediterranean daydream than a Hamptons restaurant. Eric Striffler Spotted: Calvin Klein, Sarah Jessica Parker, Keith Richards, Caitlyn Jenner, Bridgehampton Motoring Club owner Matthew Ammirati The vibe, from someone who knows: 'It's romantic enough to feel special but simple enough to go everyday — that is, if you don't mind paying $40 for a bowl of spaghetti.' Between Tutto Caffe — an Italian-style cafe and bar that opens at 8 a.m. — and the two main outposts, which open for aperitifs at 5:30 p.m., you could, conceivably, devote a whole Hamptons day to Tutto. It would be a very pleasant one. 19 The pasta dishes at Tutto Il Giorno lean simple but seductive — house-made, perfectly al dente, and dressed in sauces that taste like nonna's from abroad. Eric Striffler Co-owner Gabby Karan de Felice — daughter of Donna Karan — opened the restaurant with husband Gianpaolo de Felice and friend David Mayer, designing the spaces with the soothing neutrals and stylish minimalism the Karan name is known for. Send NYNext a tip: NYNextLydia@
New York Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Oaktree Capital investing $250M in parallel-economy credit card Coign
Investment giant Oaktree Capital has struck a $250 million deal with Coign, a conservative-focused credit card company, marking one of the largest institutional investments in the so-called parallel economy, NYNext has learned. The parallel economy has gained traction in recent years as conservatives seek products aligned with their values. While companies like Coign have built a foothold, they've largely lacked recognition from major financial institutions. Oaktree Capital, founded by billionaire Howard Marks, signals that this movement is increasingly attracting even typically apolitical investors. In a statement to investors reviewed by NYNext, Coign announced, 'The $250 million partnership with Oaktree provides a debt facility to scale our super-prime credit card portfolio and launch non-prime cards.' Advertisement Howard Marks, pictured with wife Nancy, started Oaktree Capital — which manages more than $200 billion worth of assets. Clint Spaulding / PatrickMcMulla Chris Gray, Managing Director at Oaktree Capital, added that Coign is 'well positioned to be a significant growth story in fintech.' I called up Coign's founder and CEO Rob Collins to ask about the deal and he said Oaktree's involvement underscores just how significant the American market of 120 million conservatives is. Advertisement According to Coign's materials, conservatives are both the largest and wealthiest affinity groups in the US and thus far they've only been given the option of using credit cards that donate overwhelmingly to liberal causes (the top credit card companies have given more than $2 billion to Democratic causes, according to a report in the Washington Times). 'More and more people are recognizing how well conservative movies and media are doing … that extends to our industry,' Collins said. Conservative products particularly have a strong word-of-mouth element and engender serious loyalty from customers. That is all to Coign's benefit — the card already has tens of thousands of members in every state and a waitlist over 110,000 more as the company builds up capacity. Coign, which uses Visa's payment infrastructure, reportedly donates a small amount to conservative causes on every transaction. Advertisement And perhaps most interestingly, the churn for this credit card is just 2.5% — far lower than the usual 10% companies experience, according to a 2025 survey. Coign, which uses Visa's payment infrastructure, reportedly donates a small amount to conservative causes on every transaction. 'Every purchase benefits conservative causes chosen by cardholders,' according to a company statement. 'Spending Right with Coign funds organizations like Rescue 22, which rescues dogs and trains them as service animals for veterans. With Coign, conservatives are taking back our economy and our country — one dollar at a time.' This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). Advertisement Collins also said this is recognition of a broader trend: The growing bifurcation of consumer markets. 'All Americans are looking for products that reflect their values,' he adds. Whether it is liberals ridding themselves of their Teslas or conservatives very loudly boycotting beer from Bud Light, the politicization of products is here to stay. Send NYNext a tip: nynextlydia@
