Welcome Back!
2025 promises to be a transformative year for AlleyCorp Deep Tech and the broader NYC ecosystem.
This edition highlights the launch of our new Deep Tech New York (DTNY) summit taking place later this year, along with a reflection on MLK Day and recent news in robotics, AI, and energy.
We’ll also dive into NYC’s legacy in transformative technologies, showing why it’s uniquely positioned for a new wave of innovation.
Let’s jump in!
Brannon | LinkedIn, X, Substack
Deep Tech New York: Transforming NYC into a Global Deep Tech Hub
It’s hard to believe that it’s now been 30 years since the birth of New York City’s tech scene. Led by a number of integral founders and investors including AlleyCorp’s own, Kevin Ryan, New York has embarked on a unique transformation to become one of the most important VC hubs in the world.
Today, more than 10,000 tech startups call New York City their home, and yet, there are still many subsectors within the tech industry that have untapped potential in this city and state.
Later this year, either in November or December, AlleyCorp Deep Tech will host the inaugural Deep Tech New York (DTNY) summit, bringing together 150 leaders in robotics, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and energy to champion the Northeast’s contributions to the deep tech ecosystem. We hope this community, which will include smaller satellite events and gatherings throughout the year, will better unite the incredible leadership that continues to emerge in New York and the East Coast.
Why DTNY Now?
NYC is uniquely positioned to accelerate its leadership in deep tech. Several factors underscore why now is the right time to establish DTNY:
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Convening Hubs: By creating physical spaces for collaboration in fields like advanced manufacturing and climate tech, NYC can foster cross-sector innovation that many founders we’ve spoken to are yearning for.
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Funding Gaps: The lack of early-stage capital for deep tech is a challenge. By supporting startups in their critical early stages, NYC can retain and grow its most promising companies and talent.
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Promoting NYC’s Strengths: DTNY will serve as a marquee event to elevate NYC’s reputation as a global innovation hub, but it will also attract talent and investment from around the world through year-long programming and community events / touch points.
If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from you!
NYC’s Legacy of Transformative Technology
NYC has demonstrated throughout history that it is a city of bold ideas and transformative innovations. DTNY aims to build on this legacy, accelerating progress and connecting a global network of pioneers.The following examples illustrate this heritage and why NYC is poised to lead the next era of deep tech innovation:
Electrification: Powering a Modern World
NYC played a pioneering role in electrification, with Thomas Edison opening the world’s first central power station on Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan in 1882. This power station introduced the concept of a centralized grid that could distribute electricity safely to homes, businesses, and streetlights.
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Edison’s underground wiring system set NYC apart from cities that relied on dangerous overhead wires. By the 1930s, electrification had reached most of NYC, changing how people lived and worked.
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Nikola Tesla, working nearby in New Jersey, developed alternating current (AC), which made long-distance electricity transmission feasible and transformed energy distribution worldwide.
Industrial Robotics: Trenton’s Groundbreaking Innovation
In 1954, George Devol and Joseph Engelberger developed the Unimate, the world’s first industrial robot, in Trenton, NJ. The Unimate revolutionized manufacturing by automating repetitive tasks, setting the stage for modern robotics.
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Engelberger, often referred to as the “Father of Robotics,” later founded companies that drove widespread adoption of robots in industries like automotive manufacturing.
Semiconductors: A Bell Labs Masterpiece
Bell Labs in Murray Hill, NJ, just a short distance from NYC, invented the transistor in 1947. This pivotal breakthrough is considered one of the most important inventions of the 20th century, forming the foundation of modern computing and electronics.
Aviation: Long Island’s Contributions to Aerospace
Long Island, known as the Cradle of Aviation, was central to early U.S. aerospace development. This legacy includes Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 transatlantic flight from Roosevelt Field and significant contributions to military and commercial aviation.
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Grumman Corporation, a Long Island-based company, was instrumental in building lunar modules for NASA’s Apollo program, further demonstrating the Northeast’s aerospace leadership.
Life Sciences and Deep Tech Synergies
NYC has become a growing hub for life sciences and biotechnology, with institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, Rockefeller University, and Weill Cornell Medicine leading research in areas like genomics, targeted drug therapies, and synthetic biology.
Universities as Engines of Innovation
NYC and the broader Northeast are home to some of the world’s most prestigious research universities, creating a dense network of talent and innovation:
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Columbia University: Columbia’s Technology Ventures program is a leader in tech transfer, enabling breakthroughs in advanced computing, energy, and materials to reach commercialization.
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Cornell Tech: Located on Roosevelt Island, Cornell Tech focuses on connecting academia and industry through collaborative projects in areas such as cybersecurity, AI, and robotics.
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NYU Tandon School of Engineering: A hub for robotics, AI, and urban technology, NYU Tandon emphasizes solving the challenges of modern cities.
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Princeton University: Known for its contributions to quantum computing and advanced materials, Princeton drives critical advancements in energy and computing technologies.
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Yale University: Yale’s leadership in synthetic biology and materials science drives transformative research in energy systems and life sciences, fostering innovation that resonates throughout the region.
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MIT and Harvard: Extending into the greater Northeast, these institutions contribute foundational research in aerospace, AI, and climate tech, with many of their innovations influencing NYC startups and industries.
MLK Day: Innovation Through Equity
This MLK Day, we revisited Dr. King’s legacy, reflecting on his belief that true progress requires the participation of all people. As Abe Murray and Brannon Jones noted in their recent LinkedIn posts, diversity isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s an innovation multiplier.
By removing barriers for underrepresented groups, we unlock a wealth of untapped talent and ideas, driving transformative progress in deep tech and beyond.
Deep Tech News Highlights
Catch up on the latest developments in robotics, aerospace, and energy:
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Neura Robotics Raises €120M: Advancing humanoid robotics with cognitive capabilities.
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Symbotic Acquires Walmart’s Robotics Division: Transforming supply chain automation.
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NASA Celebrates Hubble’s Legacy: SpaceX progresses with Starship boosters, deepening space exploration opportunities.
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Moment Energy Raises $15M: Building the world’s first second-life battery gigafactory in the U.S.
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Shield AI Reaches $5B Valuation: Highlighting the intersection of AI, robotics, and national defense.
What’s Next?
2025 is already shaping up to be a landmark year for deep tech. With projects like DTNY and ongoing investments in groundbreaking technologies, we’re optimistic about what’s to come.
We’d love to hear from you! What are your thoughts, ideas, or feedback? Drop us a line, and let’s make this an extraordinary year for innovation.
Cheers,
Brannon & Abe