Historically, the tech industry in NYC was unreliable. It would come and go in short, cyclical bursts.
I believe that this is an unprecedented cycle that is durable and will be sustained.
There are many contributing forces: An evolved VC ecosystem, velocity of capital, schools offering complementary programs, favorable ‘knowledge worker’ labor migration and the benefit of a mayor who promoted and encouraged tech startups to diversify the tax revenues and optimize our real estate capacity post 9/11.
The report I have embedded is a remarkable document. It is many things, a census, a blueprint for continued job creation,  and I have re-read it several times. I hope it will be used both as a reference source and in the formation of a larger dialogue.
It also points to several vulnerabilities that should be addressed to preserve and sustain this boom.
Tech as an industry force, NYC city government, Philanthropy nor the corporate market alone can resolve these. It requires a coordination, management and, most importantly for its stakeholders to be identified and empowered.
I am certain that resolutions and progress should begin with an appreciation of each elements complexity, systems and risk tolerance.
NYC government directs policy and has the infrastructure to drive progress. Yet it is also extremely resource constrained, people and money are scare.
Tech has the intellectual capacity more readily available, eager, the competency to reduce costs and introduce significant productivity gains.
The private sector and philanthropy, which will be essential, have the financial ability to fund, or co-fund in partnershp with the city.
An initiative must be domiciled somwhere, it must have its home but we are missing an imperative slot in the NYC government organizational chart. For a city of our size and budget, we do not have a CTO or anything resembling the leadership and authority that the role should provide.
And, there is no convening force. Yet?
On a related (or not) note is that for Tech to become a cohesive industry there may need to be a specific ‘Tech PAC’. From this most recent election cycle, there was no considerable economic clout exercised. Once again in those dinner parties, fundraisers and rallies, tech representation was insignificant compared to the turnout from the manufacturers, nonprofit agencies, textile, unions, real estate and legal concerns. Having extended visibility, getting responsive officials elected, and reelected, is a priority.
Perhaps Tech, as an industry, does not recognize its peril and startups are too young to appreciate impermanence. This has been a generational boom so they may think of their environment as its natural state, not something that was brilliantly crafted. The idea of making the effort now is to anticipate the ‘turn’ and to enlist advocates who are compassionate to the needs of the tech industry