Students
We’re accepting applications for this year’s GenTech program. Apply by Friday, June 7th to be part of this unique program. You’ll come away with tech skills, a great group of friends and mentors, and inside knowledge about the NYC tech scene!
Get In Touch
Interested in being a corporate partner, sponsor, mentor or TA? There are many ways to get involved. Browse our volunteer opportunities and email us to learn more.
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About Us
Developed by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), GenTech aims to:
- Grow youth interest and activity in the business, entrepreneurship, and technology sectors
- Connect students with existing networks of NYC tech entrepreneurs, start-ups, universities, tech companies, and venture capitalists
- Empower students through real-world skill development in the areas of computer programming, problem solving, opportunity recognition, and leadership
Summer Programming
In a two-week tech-entrepreneurship “bootcamp”, students learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship; develop basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; and form teams to develop a mobile app and business plan aimed at improving education or the quality of city life for NYC students. Following the bootcamp, students will continue to develop their coding skills while building out their apps and business plan during weekly classroom sessions and twice-weekly evening mentoring sessions from July-August.
MENTORING & ENTERPRISE DISCOVERY
During the bootcamp, students receive mentorship from undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in business and technology. After the bootcamp, each student team is paired with a small team of Tech Mentors from industry-leading tech and business organizations. Tech Mentors provide support, insight, and guidance to students during evening mentoring sessions. Mentoring sessions are held at various tech-related companies throughout NYC.
DEMO NIGHT & AWARDS CEREMONY
On September 19, 2013, students demo and pitch their finished apps and business plans to a panel of prominent judges from the technology, venture capitalist, and educational communities. Members of the winning team receive cash prizes and all students are honored at an awards ceremony. Last year’s judges included senior leaders from Tumblr, Microsoft, New York Angels, FirstMark Capital, Birchbox, and Next Generation Broadband.
Hackathons
During the fall and early winter, GenTech students will participate in mobile app hackathons alongside professional developers and designers so that students can further develop skills in coding and design, gain more experience of working with tech professionals, and continue to build a network within the tech and startup sectors. High school students who did not participate during GenTech’s summer programming are invited to attend and be introduced to the local tech scene.
