#nyc bigapps

[nycedc]

This Sunday, November 1st, watch NYC Big Apps semifinalists compete for a spot in this year's finals!

These teams are solving some of NYC's biggest challenges. $125K in prizes up for grabs!  RSVP here.

[betanyc]

45% of NYC BigApps' finalists are BetaNYC member projects! (updated)

NYC BigApps 2014 finalists have been announced! 

We are so happy to see that of the final 20 projects, 9 of them are from BetaNYC's community! That is 35% 45% of the finalist projects! Also note, nearly 20% of all submitted projects are from BetaNYC's community. Great job everyone!

You might be asking "But wait, I've never heard of you. How is this possible?"

Last year, we rebranded ourselves and community members wrote "the People's guide to a digital New York City." We have outlined how this Mayor, Council, and community be action oriented.

This year, BetaNYC started off with our own "app challenge." Our goal was to move beyond our traditional arguments for transparency and be action oriented. We kicked off the year with Borough President Brewer, City Councilmember Kallos and Levine, NYC Schools, NYC DOT, NYC 311, and DOITT. We went before City Council and testified for better data and digital infrastructure.

This year, we have set our goal to be a collective body of technologists, designers, policy makers, and neighbors, always ready to respond. We do this through weekly hacknights, online discussion groups, and advocacy. Join us and help build a 21st century New York City powered by the people, for the people.

Congrats to the following NYC BigApps finalists and BetaNYC members:

Easy Food Stamps*

Emrals

Explore NYC Parks

FineNYC

Heat Seek NYC

Mind My Business

NYC Hired

Social Cyclist

Congrats to all of the BetaNYC projects who won their respective BigIdea!

Appigi*

CorridorScope

Edori

Emrals

Healthcare Finder

Metas*

NYC Hired

SmarterCities BetaNYC

Social Cyclist

* = where not on the initial spreadsheet. These teams were added after this post was written.

[nycedc]

This past Saturday, NYC tech supporters gathered at Industry City for NYC BigApps' first-ever Block Party. A celebration of civic tech and innovation, the party showcased tech demos, pitches, food, live music, and more! Thanks to HR&A, our esteemed panel of judges, and all who came out to support.

Check out some of the photos on Flickr.

[betanyc]

Almost 20% of NYC BigApps 2014 projects were built by BetaNYC!

This is phenomenal! This year's NYC BigApps 2014 has grown what we pioneered last year. Last year, we helped changed the focus of NYC BigApps from being a "startup" competition to a "civic challenge" competition. No longer is the challenge to build a company, but now it is to solve a civic problem.

This year, the community has responded. Tomorrow is the first big milestone and by the looks of it, BetaNYC members have submitted close to 20% of the apps!

If you are a BetaNYC member and participated in NYC BigApps 2014, please add your name to this spreadsheet. (The spreadsheet has been locked. Thanks for adding.)

Also, don't forget to vote for your favorite project.

[betanyc]

Time to vote for NYC BigApps & celebrate at the Block Party

This Saturday is BigApps' BlockParty. If you can attend, lets celebrate this milestone in the Nation's largest civic technology app challenge! FYI, Chris and I will be judges.

Also, it is time to vote! "The 5 teams with the most votes will go head-to-head on the BigApps Battlefield at the Block Party! Each team will have four minutes to pitch to a panel of judges. The winning team will automatically advance to the Finals and compete for over $100,000 in cash prizes."

If you have been working on a project, please join this Facebook thread!

Note, all voting is to be done at < http://nycbigapps.com/projects >.

See you this weekend!

[nycedc]

Come watch NYC Big Apps competitors pitch their innovative applications at the first ever BigApps Block Party!

Head out to Industry City in Sunset Park on July 19th for food, games, and team tech demonstrations. Together, we can make NYC a better place to live, work, learn, and play. RSVP here.

[nycedc]

Leveraging Tech to Support Low-Income New Yorkers

Last Wednesday, the NYC Office of Financial Empowerment, in partnership with the Urban Future Lab and NYC BigApps, hosted a learning and networking event to discuss some of the biggest barriers to economic mobility faced by low-income New Yorkers. 

The event featured 4 NYC BigApps BigIdeas Sponsors — Center4, TreSensa, Upwardly Global, and The NYC Office of Financial Empowerment. Organization representatives highlighted some of the challenges that New Yorkers face in accessing financial products and services, building financial stability, navigating the job market, and finding and keeping a well-paying job.

Panelists also encouraged attendees to think creatively about how their expertise could positively impact New Yorkers facing barriers to economic mobility. Attendees included past and present BigIdeas participants, developers, designers, and social service providers, who also had the opportunity to meet the speakers and network with one another in a reception following the panel.

Interested in building an idea to enhance economic mobility? Check out the project ideas on the NYC BigApps BigIdea hub, or submit your own! 

[dbness]

Demo time at codemontage #hackforchangeNYC — learning about education, accessibility, and NYC housing projects #hackforchange