PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 15, 2014

DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES CONGRATULATES SUMMER

GRADUATES OF THE BROOKLYN TECH TRIANGLE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Graduation Marks More Than 100 Technology and Media Internships Completed With
Businesses in the Brooklyn Tech Triangle

NEW YORK The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), in
partnership with the Mayors Office of Media and Entertainment, The Brooklyn Navy Yard
Development Corporation, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, DUMBO Business Improvement
District and New York City College of Technology (City Tech), congratulated the 50 graduates
of this summers Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program during a ceremony held at the
BRIC Arts Media House in Downtown Brooklyn.

Since launching the program in June 2013, City Tech students have completed more than
100 internships with technology and media firms located in the Brooklyn Tech Triangle. The
Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program is designed to fill the need for web programmers,
designers, and engineers in Brooklyns growing tech and media sectors by connecting local
college students with a demonstrated interest and skill set in these areas with businesses
throughout the Brooklyn Tech Triangle, which includes DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn and the
Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Over the summer, students in the graduating cohort interned at digital technology
companies including WeDidIt, a crowdfunding platform for non-profits, ClearGrid Innovations,
which is pioneering imagery analysis technology in the electric utility industry, and ReadyGraph,
a simple friend invite tool to drive large number of users to customers sites. Students also
interned at media companies including Steiner Studios, a full-service, state-of-the-art
production factory, and Duggal Visual Solutions, a leading supplier of computer imaging and
multimedia services.

The Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program connects talented local college students
with tech and media internships in Downtown Brooklyn, one of NYCs main technology hubs.
The program helps students gain the work experience they need to find good jobs after
graduation, and provides skilled talent for growing tech and media businesses, said Maria
Torres-Springer, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. I
congratulate the graduates of the Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program as the City
continues to support the growth of the tech sector and train New Yorkers to be the top hiring
choice for tech companies.
 The interns who have taken part in the Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program have
gained invaluable experiences that will serve them well as they prepare for their careers after
graduation, said Commissioner Cynthia Lpez, Mayors Office of Media and Entertainment.
At the Mayors Office of Media and Entertainment, were committed to fostering the next
generation of creative professionals who will play a vital role in our Citys future.

The Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship program has played an important role in helping
the Yard meet the workforce needs of designers, makers and manufacturers, while providing
viable career opportunities for students. For over a year, our on-site Employment Center has led
the coordination of BTTIP, managing over 100 internships for local students, who have gained
meaningful work experiences within the Brooklyn Tech Triangle. Without a doubt, programs
like these help build a strong network of alumni who will become part of the citys growing tech
talent pipeline, says David Ehrenberg, President & CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Development Corporation.

City Tech is delighted to be partnered with the NYC Department of Small Business
Services to develop and expand the Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program, said Dr.
Russell K. Hotzler, President of City Tech. Through collaboration with the Workforce
Development Division, this partnership affords City Tech students invaluable access to business
and industry experience and allows them to develop and apply their creative skills in meaningful
ways. The program also highlights the critical role that public-private partnerships play in
fostering the skilled workforce needed to keep New York competitive in our rapidly changing
economy.
The summer intern we were matched with through the Brooklyn Tech Triangle
Internship Program combined her retail sales experience with her technical skills to configure a
set of training games that would teach new retail associates how to sell better, said Stuart
Silverman, CEO of LevelsPro. Thanks to our summer intern, our business benefited from a
unique and fresh approach, developed as a result of her personal experience.

As an intern with the Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program, I am working as a

Graphic designer and Video Editor at a company called WeDidIt. The internship has allowed me
to gain experience working with client based projects so now I'll be more skilled working on my
future design projects, said Hui Su, a City Tech student and intern at WeDidIt. It has been
great to learn and practice based on my interests, and work with a team of young people working
together under one mission.

As part of the Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program, interns are provided with
training and preparation for jobs in the technology and media fields through paid internships
Monday through Thursday, earning $15 an hour, and a weekly Tech Fridays series, which
provides interns with exposure to businesses in New Yorks tech and media communities. Interns
learn how to effectively build their online portfolio and presence; how to build their network and
maintain it; and how to get noticed when applying for jobs, succeed in interviews, and get hired.

The Brooklyn Tech Triangle is quickly gaining momentum as a top technology hub. It is
expected to contribute almost $6 billion to Brooklyns economy in 2015 and employ almost
18,000 people. The area is New York Citys largest cluster of technological activity outside of
Manhattan with over 500 tech or media firms and 60,000 college students.

The Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program is part of the administrations Tech
Talent Pipeline, an initiative to support the growth of the tech sector and train New Yorkers to be
tech companies premier hiring choice. Building on existing relationship with CUNY and the
Department of Education, and the Department of Small Business Services, the Tech Talent
Pipeline will recruit and train New Yorkers; design new curricula to meet employer need; and
engage employers in building the talent pipeline.

For more information on the Brooklyn Tech Triangle Internship Program and upcoming
cohorts, visit www.nyc.gov/sbs.

About the Department of Small Business Services

The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) makes it easier for businesses in New York
City to start, operate and expand by providing direct assistance to business owners, fostering
neighborhood development in commercial districts, and linking employers to a skilled and
qualified workforce. For more information on all of SBS services, go to www.nyc.gov/sbs.

About the Mayors Office of Media and Entertainment

The Mayors Office of Media and Entertainment consists of the Office of Film, Theatre and
Broadcasting, facilitating and supporting film and TV production throughout the five boroughs;
and NYC Media, the official TV, radio and online network of the City of New York. The
agencys mission includes supporting relevant media and entertainment industries in New York
City. Visit nyc.gov/mome to learn more.

About Brooklyn Navy Yard

The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation is a non-profit organization that manages
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a modern industrial park with over 4 million square feet of space, with
the City of New York. BNYDC acts as a landlord to the 7,000+ employees and 330 businesses
that inhabit the yard by leasing spaces, developing underutilized areas and overseeing
modernization and improvements of infrastructure.

About City Tech

The New York City College of Technology (City Tech) of The City University of New York
(CUNY) is the largest public college of technology in New York State. Located in Downtown
Brooklyn, the College enrolls nearly 17,000 students in 65 baccalaureate, associate and
specialized certificate programs. Another 14,000 students enroll annually in adult education and
workforce development programs. For more information on City Tech, go to

About Brooklyn Tech Triangle

The Brooklyn Tech Triangle recognizes DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Navy
Yard as New York Citys largest cluster of tech activity outside of Manhattan. The Brooklyn
Tech Triangles projected job growth over the next two years estimates 18,000 direct jobs and
43,000 indirect jobs as the region rises as a technology hub.
About Downtown Brooklyn Partnership
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is a not-for-profit local development corporation that serves as
the primary champion for Downtown Brooklyn as a world-class business, cultural, educational,
residential, and retail destination.

About DUMBO BID

The DUMBO Improvement District is one of New Yorks 69 Business Improvement Districts,
established in 2006 by the property owners, merchants, businesses and cultural organizations of
DUMBO. The DUMBO Improvement District provides street beautification, neighborhood
marketing, and programming of public spaces, advocacy and free Wi-Fi for the neighborhood.

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Contact: Merideth Weber (SBS), mweber@sbs.nyc.gov, 212-513-6318