New York tech is an exciting place to be right now. The industry is growing by leaps and bounds and attracting talent from around the world. But, with such a flurry of activity in such a dynamic and quickly changing scene, it can be hard to visualize exactly what New York tech looks like. We gathered some of our favorite images we've seen over the last year.
Here is New York tech in 17 pictures.
The Low Line
Earlier this year, city officials gave a tentative go-ahead for the Low Line project. Should the project come to fruition, an old trolley terminal on the Lower East Side will be transformed into a solar-powered underground park.
The Brooklyn Navy Yards
The Brooklyn Navy Yards are being reborn as a tech and innovation hub. Above is a 65,000 square-foot urban farm, operated by Brooklyn Grange, on the rooftop of Building 3. The Navy Yards have been through a hard stretch, but today over 200 businesses operate there, employing around 7,000 people.
African Engineers Visit NYC
Andela finds top African software developers and places them with U.S.-based tech companies as full-time, distributed team members. Earlier this year, Chiemeka Alim and Emmanuel Isaac, two Lagos, Nigerian-based engineers participating in the program, came to New York to work in-person and shared their experience.
The Justworks' Sales Team
Justworks is growing rapidly and the company raised $33 million in March. We caught up with their sales team — which is also growing quickly — to see what life was like at breakneck speed. Above, two members of the Justworks sales team worked over a problem.You can read more about that here.
Nap Time
Studies show that employees who take a brief afternoon nap are more productive than those who don't. So, it only makes sense that the latest trend in tech offices is to install nap rooms. Above is a nap room in GoTenna's office in downtown Brooklyn.
Tech Takes the WTC
As the new WTC complex takes shape above Lower Manhattan, New York Tech is moving in. Above is the view from DigitalOcean's offices on the 45th and 46th floors of the World Trade Center complex. Quite a few tech companies now call the WTC complex home.
Taking a Break
As busy as we all are, sometimes we just need to relax. Above, Adam Van Wagoner, a Recruiting Associate at Signpost, knocks one in on the company's in-office putting green.
A New (Virtual) World is Born
As virtual reality left the realm of science fiction, New York tech companies led the way. Inside AOL's offices in the Flatiron District, employees test out cutting edge virtual reality technology.
Moving Day
Tech companies move too — and that presents some unique challenges. Above, Yotpo hand carries their treasured Yotpo mural through Union Square to their new Flatiron offices. There are some things you just don't trust the movers with.
Onesies Day
Sure, most people who work in tech enjoy dressing casually, but Updater takes it to a whole other level. Above, Updater celebrates 'Onesie Day,' the snuggliest day of the year.
Fashion Tech Takes the Stage
As casually as many people in tech dress, that doesn't mean fashion isn't taken seriously. Above, Olga Vidisheva, Founder and CEO at Shoptiques is among some of the best-dressed people in New York tech.
Lunch Break
Tech companies go all out when it comes to building amazing offices for their employees and that usually includes a nice kitchen. As amazing as Betterment's offices are, their kitchen is its crowning jewel. Above, employees take a lunch break and catch up.
General Assembly
General Assembly has taught New Yorkers a lot of lessons over the year. Above, a chalk drawing in their sprawling Flatiron headquarters reminds students to never, ever, mess with Bill Nye.
Madness in the Poconos
Sometimes you just have to get out of the city and into nature to relax and recharge. Greenhouse's dev team, above, heads up as a team to the Poconos for a weekend of water sports, board games, hiking, paintball and managing the grill. We're not sure where the costumes fit into that, but we love it.
A Conference Room
Some companies head to Ikea when it's time for a conference table, but not SiteCompli. This conference table is made out of thousands of Legos. Actually, SiteCompli's entire office is like a playground for adults. There are gumball machines, toys and murals filling every corner of the space.
Centering
Many New York Tech companies are fully aware of how stressful life can be — not only in the industry but just living in the city in general. Many of them are going out of their way to make sure employees have a chance to relax, center and stay healthy. Above, LittleThings employees take time out of their day to meditate.
Lunch Time
When they're not busy fighting cancer, the people at Flatiron Health are eating like kings. Above, the team prepares to feast on the feast the company provides employees every day. New York tech companies are notorious for going all out when it comes to feeding employees.
Images via Built In, Low Line, Instagram, Andela, Yotpo, Updater, Shoptiques, Greenhouse, & Flatiron.
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