While New York City often tops ratings lists as the best city in the world, there's one list it has struggled to dominate. When it comes to tech innovation, NYC falls second to Silicon Valley, where startups and entrepreneurs have thrived for decades. But, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, "We don’t like to be second to anybody.” In typical New York fashion, the city plans to break ground on a tech-centered extension of Cornell University -- CornellNYC Tech -- which will be part graduate school, part startup incubator.
As of late, New York City has seen an explosion of tech startups -- nearly 500 since 2007 -- giving hubs like Silicon Valley, Boston and Austin, Texas, a run for their money. In an effort to feed the growing tech scene, the city plans to create a space where students will not only be trained in technology, but also in entrepreneurship. The 10-acre campus, which will be built on Roosevelt Island on the East River-side of Manhattan, will house a network of classrooms, labs, conference spaces and living quarters to foster an innovation-friendly environment.
With up to a $400 million land and infrastructure grant from the city, Cornell and its partner, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, will break ground on the $2 billion project in 2014. Check out the slideshow below for cool facts about the campus and its effects on the community.
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