A New Chapter for New York's Startups: Introducing Next Wave NYC
I'm thrilled to unveil a new venture that marks a significant milestone for New York City's startup ecosystem. Not only is this a significant step for Flybridge, but one that’s close to my heart. My journey in NYC tech began 15 years ago, on the founding team of WeWork, where I not only helped build one of the most iconic companies to come out of this ecosystem, I also met thousands of founders who believed in the community and made it happen. As a firm, we also took huge swings in this market - sometimes when no one else would. Chip Hazard, my colleague and co-founder of Flybridge, was an early backer of MongoDB - a mammoth success story not just for NYC but for a sea change in technology that wasn’t clear at all. We have been at the heart of New York’s tech evolution and we’re excited to be there again today, the turning point of a new revolution. Drawing from this rich background, we’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of community and innovation—a vision that Next Wave NYC embodies.
Next Wave NYC is born from a collaboration among some of the most influential founders and operators of the past decade. Our team, boasting leaders from trailblazing entities such as Bowery Farming, Casper, Chief, Flatiron School, Foursquare, Google, Major League Hacking, OpenAI, Snowflake, Squire, and WeWork, is uniquely equipped to support the next generation of entrepreneurs who dream of making a lasting impact. More than just a fund, Next Wave NYC represents a movement to empower early-stage startups with the essential tools for success: capital, resources, and an unparalleled network. With an initial commitment to invest in over 50 pre-seed stage New York City startups over the next three years, we aim to not only provide financial support but also open doors to the Flybridge ecosystem, enhancing the growth trajectory of these budding ventures.
In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, our focus is squarely on Native AI applications, AI-powered SaaS applications, and AI developer platforms. These areas, ripe for innovation, offer unprecedented opportunities for startups to redefine their industries and for us to support their journey from the ground up.
We’re not new to backing emerging communities of founders with investment and strategic support from leaders primed to take them to the next level. Next Wave NYC is the latest fund within our Next Wave strategy. This approach honed over the past eight years with other Next Wave funds such as XFactor Ventures, The Community Fund, and The Graduate Syndicate, has been instrumental in expanding our network, diversifying our perspectives, and building early relationships with startups poised for greatness.
Our commitment to New York City's startup scene is deep-rooted. We, along with our Next Wave funds, have already backed over 100 startups here in the last fifteen years. There's a magical quality to NYC—a blend of energy, diversity, creativity, and ambition—that's unmatched anywhere else. Through Next Wave NYC, we aim to double down on this vibrant community, supporting the incredible talent that calls this city home.
As we embark on this exciting venture, I'm reminded of the boundless potential that innovation holds. Next Wave NYC is not just a fund; it's a testament to our belief in the transformative power of technology and the brilliant minds that drive it forward.
For those ready to join us on this journey, I invite you to learn more at https://nextwave.nyc. Here’s to a future where New York's brightest entrepreneurs are empowered to achieve their dreams. Welcome to Next Wave NYC.
