Start-up Incubator to Hit Low-Income South Bronx Neighborhood

Much like The Valley on the west coast, New York City – Manhattan, has become the go to place on the east coast if you have a technology start-up.

But much of the technology resources are in the city leaving the rest of the surrounding boroughs on the outside looking in.

Trying to find a solution to the problem, Sustainable South Bronx founder, Majora Carter and two business partners, Lyel Resner and Jon Santiago plan to open a start-up incubator, Startup Box: South Bronx and tech education center in a low-income Bronx neighborhood, Hunts Point where Carter grew up.

According to the New York Daily Times Carter says, “Unless we work hard to ensure that people here are participants, the tech boom is going to bypass this neighborhood. We want to make the South Bronx a mecca for start-up tech entrepreneurs.”

Low-income neighborhoods often become invisible when it comes to advancing in technology, but Startup Box: South Bronx intends to  supply entrepreneurs in the area with shared office space, and high school students with programs to learn computer coding, Web design, digital fabrication and more.

The founders believe disadvantaged students in the South Bronx will excel when given the opportunity to experiment with technology with afterschool programs. They envision Startup Box: South Bronx students and entrepreneurs working and learning side by side.

They are currently looking for a Hunts Point building and are talking with several established tech companies about funding the project.

A launch date has not been set for the incubator. We will update as more information becomes available.

(Photo Credit: NY Daily Times)

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