Nassau County's Senior Policy Advisor Arda Nazerian discusses Long Island's entrepreneurial ecosystem and how start-ups can benefit our communities.

Arda Nazerian on Long Island's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Could Long Island be the next Silicon Valley? Yes.  

Accelerate Long Island has brought together our region's world class research institutions and business community to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Among the partners: Brookhaven National Lab, Cold Spring Harbor Labs, Hofstra, Stony Brook and North Shore-LIJ.  

Accelerate Long Island fosters start-up companies by providing funding, mentoring, as well as networking and instructional events.  They're already working with 95 start-ups. And more than 400 entrepreneurs, researchers, grad students and venture capitalists have attended their events.  

Another exciting development - Thought Box - a high tech incubator that's building an entrepreneurial ecosystem.  The 12,000 square feet technology hub, adjacent to the Hicksville train station, was awarded an Innovate New York grant.  It encourages collaboration among its start-ups, and provides advice by experienced venture capitalists and veteran entrepreneurs who are on site.

A friend said "This is SO not Long Island."  My response?  That IS SO Long Island -- it's the Long Island we're becoming, with a  thriving economic base, young, smart minds building the tech and biotech companies of tomorrow, and a new way of thinking to support the future of our terrific region.


For more information visit: www.NassauCountyNY.gov

or

www.EnergeiaLI.com