TRENTON — In addition to providing funding and resources to New Jersey’s technology and biotechnology community, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) continuously promotes networking opportunities for entrepreneurs as a way to foster synergy within the Garden State’s technology ecosystem.
Through its social media pages, the EDA routinely highlights events such as technology meetups, where innovators can convene with other technology professionals. Meetups create an atmosphere of collaboration and provide a platform for entrepreneurs to discuss topics that affect their businesses.
Meetup organizers often invite industry leaders to these events to provide attendees with insight into areas relevant to New Jersey’s thriving technology industry. In addition to in-person events, meetup websites offer members an online forum for communication, leading to a free-flowing exchange of ideas. The meetups are free to join, but there may be fees for specific events.
“Collaboration is a hallmark of New Jersey’s extraordinary technology sector, and we continue to encourage interaction among innovators,” said EDA Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen. “Positive energy generated at Jersey Shore and South Jersey meetups carry over long after the events have ended.”
Innovators looking to network at the Jersey Shore or in South Jersey have several options, including the following.
Jersey Shore Tech, located at Cowerks coworking space in Asbury Park, is considered the largest technology meetup in the area. Ideal for entrepreneurs, startups, software developers, tech enthusiasts and business leaders looking to network, learn and grow their businesses, this group currently has more than 1,600 members. The next event, “Coffee and Coworking No. 33,” is set for the morning of July 15 at High Voltage in Asbury Park.
Central NJ Strategic Design + Tech, based at Bell Works in Holmdel, supports innovators from all technology areas by educating them on new ways of designing, prototyping, building and fulfilling tech hardware, software, systems and components. Through a series of events such as demo nights, hackathons, startup weekends and other hands-on workshops, the meetup aims to help people accelerate the commercialization process and reduce the risks of moving a product from concept to production and finally the public market. The group, which is sponsored by Wisdom + Craft consulting company, currently has close to 700 members. The next event, “Design + UX Networking,” is tentatively scheduled for July 18 at Bell Works.
Venture HUB of the Burlington County Library System is dedicated to building an active and vigorous entrepreneurial community of startups, techies, creators, freelancers, telecommuters and collaborators in Burlington County and beyond. The group, which currently has more than 300 members, hosts a variety of meetups.
Waterfront Ventures is an organization dedicated to bringing fun, innovation and networking opportunities to the Camden Waterfront. Waterfront Ventures’ meetup began last month at a kickoff startup conference and already has over 100 members. A Demo Day festival is slated for Sept. 30.
For more information about resources available to support New Jersey’s technology industry, visit www.njeda.com/tls.
