nysia incubator to close

[David Rosenstrauch]

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/FREE/330958854/1064

Sad news, from a CooBric perspective. Certainly a bad precedent, I'd think.

DR

[Tony Bacigalupo]

Funny, because when I heard that news, my first thought was that those startups might be potential new members.

But yes, I'd be very curious to see what the NYSIA has to say about running a facility such as this... I imagine they have learned many hard lessons and have lots of advice to give.

[Howard Greenstein]

As a board member of NYSIA I can't talk details yet, but yes, we'll
get some folks to sit down and discuss.

Howard

[Sedef Onder]

I agree with Tony that its a potential opportunity for CooBric.

Though a NYSIA member until [literally] NYTech Meetup went into higher gear over the past year or so, I stopped going to the NYSIA events because I found them distinctly less valuable to attend and even a little too corporate (though more convenient in proximity).  I also allowed my NYSIA membership to expire rather than renew, and it sounds like NYSIA may consider dropping this fee as well.  All in all, there may be others like me who have drifted to NYTech Meetup.  Perhaps if/when NYSIA offers free or reduced attendance at their events, they’ll be given another chance.  The tech market/community tends to be open and welcoming, assuming meeting agendas and panelists remain relevant to the current debate and discussion within the industry.
S.

--
N. Sedef Onder | The Halo Project Inc.
41 East 11th Street  | 11th Floor, NYC 10003
T | 212.699.3761   F | 212.937.3618
M | 212.464.7332   W | www.thehaloproject.com

[Sanford Dickert]

IMHO, I am not overly surprised due to the rents and some other decisions made by the organization.  I have always thought that the standard incubator model needs tweaking - and some community improvements - which is why I think coworking and cosharing has true potential.

Tony's efforts are focusing on building this community - which is important since both the anchor tenants and the JIT tenants are very important to maintain.  The anchor tenants need to be satisfying particular needs (constant revenue for baseline expenses) and JIT tenants for community and ongoing growth revenue.

It was my understanding that Darren Herman had a similar idea to this - and wanted to work with NYSIA - but I never knew what happened to that.

What do you think we can learn from this?  I still feverently believe in the need of a coworking space - and am (behind the scenes) working on this very issue (yes, Tony is in charge, but I am the Phantom helping when I can).  If you know real estate developers, please send them my way.  Introductions are always appreciated.

And, if you have not already, please contact Tony if you are interested in being part of the community.  Especially if you have a sense of what you can commit to personally and financially.

Best,

Sanford

[Howard Greenstein]

Sefer,
Hope you're coming to tonight's NYSIA event. It's free!

Howard

[Sanford Dickert]

Hey Howard - can I come?

[Howard Greenstein]

I think everyone had to preregister, but call me if you have trouble.
But come NOW.

There are>300 people registered.
Howard

[Sanford Dickert]

Okay.  On my way.

[Sedef Onder]

Howard,

Thanks for the heads-up. Sorry to miss tonight's event. I'll keep an eye
out for future meetings. Promise to attend some upcoming ones, schedule
permitting. Are they still at mid-town location (was it JP Morgan offices?)
S.

41 E. 11th St. | 11th Fl, NYC 10003
T: 212.699.3761 | M: 212.464.7332
F: 212.937.3618 | W: www.thehaloproject.com