SEBASTOPOL, CA — (Marketwired) — 09/09/13 — New York-s Next Top Makers, a maker-to-founder initiative of New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), will announce its Grand Prize Winner at the MAKE Hardware Innovation Workshop on September 18 at the New York Hall of Science. The New York version of the MAKE event for makers trying to navigate the path to commercial success, focuses on industrial design, features investors from East Coast venture firms who specialize in hardware, and promotes entrepreneurs with early stage products and prototypes. The evening reception will provide the stage to announce the Top Makers Grand Prize Winner and to celebrate the progress of the 2013 class of Top Makers finalists, six teams building businesses from product prototypes in the heart of New York City.
“We-re thrilled that New York City Economic Development Corporation has chosen our Hardware Innovation Workshop to make this exciting announcement,” said Dale Dougherty, CEO and founder of Maker Media, and publisher of MAKE magazine. “It-s an utterly fitting stage to celebrate ingenuity, innovation and commitment. Makers enjoy sharing in each other-s success and learning from their peers. This promises to be an exciting evening for all.”
“The proliferation of new tools like digital fabrication and crowdfunding has the potential to transform manufacturing in New York City, and Initiatives such as New York-s Next Top Makers allow us to capitalize on this potential and strengthen this emerging ecosystem,” said NYCEDC President Kyle Kimball. “The finalists of this pilot competition received resources from NYCEDC and New York City-s business community to develop and launch new, innovative products, and the City will continue to work with the industry to support entrepreneurs as they lead us into the next Industrial Revolution.”
From a selection of entrepreneurs-to-be developing products ranging from robots to skateboards, six finalists were chosen by an expert panel of judges and by a public, online vote. These six finalists received five months of assistance on the path to commercialization, including a prototyping budget, studio space from sponsor NYDesigns, business workshops from IncubateNYC and mentorship from industry experts such as Adafruit Industries founder Limor Fried, and representatives from Siemens and OXO. Now, one finalist, selected by an expert panel, will be named the Grand Prize Winner and receive an additional $11k towards launching their business.
A one-day event, the MAKE Hardware Innovation Workshop, presented by GE, and sponsored by ShopBot and Engadget, will focus on the business of making and the companies and services that constitute a growing ecosystem for getting products made and to market. Over thirty speakers with expertise in digital fabrication and manufacturing, 3D printing, and industrial design will share the stage during the course of the day. Sessions will also feature leading firms from the investment world who focus on hardware innovation, as well as individuals from incubators and accelerators who specialize in startups with early-stage hardware products and devices.
For more details about the event and to register for the 2013 MAKE Hardware Innovation Workshop at NYSCI in Queens, NY, .
About MAKER MEDIA
Maker Media is a global platform for connecting makers with each other, with products and services, and with our partners. Through media, events and ecommerce, Maker Media serves a growing community of makers who bring a DIY mindset to technology. Whether as hobbyists or professionals, makers are creative, resourceful and curious, developing projects that demonstrate how they can interact with the world around them. The launch of MAKE Magazine in 2005, followed by Maker Faire in 2006, jumpstarted a worldwide Maker Movement, which is transforming innovation, culture and education. Located in Sebastopol, CA, is the publisher of and the producer of . It also develops “getting started” kits and books that are sold in its store as well as in retail channels.
About NYCEDC
is the City-s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC-s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City-s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City-s many opportunities. Find us on or follow us on , or visit our to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.
Contact:
Vickie Welch
(415) 806-0999 Mobile
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