De Blasio Administration Launches NYCx to Stimulate Economic Growth, Create Jobs and Solve Big Challenges Through New Technologies

NYCx will open urban spaces as test beds for new technologies as a core part of the program. The City will also launch challenges that engage the tech industry to solve real-world problems and call on the tech vanguard to help the City advance its goals to be the most fair, equitable and sustainable city in the world.

Co-Lab Challenges will invite startups and entrepreneurs to work directly with community residents to solve neighborhood challenges while aiming to scale solutions for common issues across the five boroughs.

Moonshot Challenges will be citywide challenges that encourage global entrepreneurs to think big about NYC's most ambitious problems, propose bold solutions and deliver groundbreaking business models that transform and improve the lives of New Yorkers.

As part of the today's NYCx program launch, Mayor de Blasio and Mr. Gamiño announced the first NYCx Moonshot Challenge:

The Connectivity Challenge will transform Governors Island into a research and development hub for testing and deploying the next generation of broadband connectivity technologies at the fastest speeds and lowest costs. Through the Challenge, the City expects to acquire new insights to advance broadband, Wi-Fi and "5G" cellular access in public spaces and in public housing. The Challenge looks to further the Mayor's goal to ensure every resident and business will have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband service everywhere by 2025.

Three winners will be selected for the Connectivity Challenge and each will receive $25,000 to build and test their technologies in collaboration with the City and the Trust for Governor's Island with the potential for a contract to work with the City on further expansion of the solution across the City.