Business and community leaders cut the ribbon at a ceremony to dedicate the new, sixth Queens Tech Incubator in Forest Hills.
Photo courtesy of Anat Gerstein, Inc.
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a report late last month revealing that the number of small businesses with fewer than five employees in New York City has increased by more than 10% during the coronavirus pandemic.
Queens saw growth of over 6%, while Manhattan saw just 0.04%, the lowest growth rate among the boroughs.
“The pandemic has galvanized entrepreneurship across the country,” DiNapoli said. “Significant job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic have hurt New York City’s economy, but tenacious New Yorkers have helped small businesses grow. Changes in the way people work and businesses operate, combined with federal assistance, have allowed people to start businesses or expand by offering their services more easily online.”
Just two days before the DiNapoli Report was released on June 28, the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Queens Technology Council celebrated the opening of the borough’s sixth tech incubator. The new location, at 101-15 Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills, joins a list of incubators already operating in Jamaica, Far Rockaway, Jackson Heights, Long Island City, and on the campus of Queens College.
“Building a strong tech community in the great borough of Queens requires supporting homegrown startups,” said Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “We’re thrilled to have our government partners join us as we celebrate the opening of our new location in Forest Hills, and we’re extremely grateful to Maspeth Federal Savings Bank for donating the space. Their collaboration provides startups with free office space, mentoring, and valuable resources as we continue to grow the tech industry in Queens.”
Thomas Ruzewicz, president and CEO of Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, said the bank is excited to partner with the chamber on this program. “Through this collaboration, we will support promising startups and companies that are transforming Queens into a vibrant technology hub,” he said. “We are excited to welcome these new ventures into our shared space and provide them with the resources they need to thrive.”
The first tenant in the Forest Hills space will be DocPro, a health tech company that offers innovative, user-friendly medical software to support healthcare providers in delivering superior patient care. “We are excited to join the Forest Hills location in the Queens Tech Incubator program. Access to free office space and networking connections will greatly support collaboration with primary care physicians in the area, leading to optimal outcomes for both clinics and patients,” said Tanweer Hasan, founder and CEO of DocPro.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has made expanding the tech ecosystem a priority. “Through initiatives like the Queens Tech Incubator program, Queens is well positioned to be a leader in technology,” said Richards. “Our new incubator home in Forest Hills will give Queens an even greater foothold in this growing economic sector.”
State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi said he looks forward to watching the effort grow. “I’ve seen how successful the Queens Tech Incubator program has been, and I’m excited to see it expand to Forest Hills,” Hevesi said.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo agreed. “By providing essential resources and mentorship to startups, we are helping to build a strong tech ecosystem right here in the borough,” Addabbo said. “I salute the dedication and hard work of all the companies at Forest Hills and across the program.”
