NEW YORK—Free classes demystifying the world of technology began Thursday evening in the Flatiron District.
On Flatiron Public Plaza South near Madison Square Park, General Assembly’s general manager of research and development, Anna C. Lindow, taught a session meant as a bridge between the tech world and those not versed in its lingo.
The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District and General Assembly, a Flatiron-based firm focused on technology, design, and entrepreneurial education, are teaming up for a trio of classes.
The first class excited one attendee, publicist Kahshanna Evans. “It was pretty useful, and really completely gorgeous, and luxurious to come out in the middle of Manhattan and have a free class,” she said. “That’s pretty special.”
Lindow told the attendees how the technology sector has been growing in New York City, showing them a list of firms born in the city, including Kickstarter, NY Tech Meetup, and foursquare.
“Now more and more people are saying ‘I’m going to stay in New York,’ because there’s already sort of an ecosystem that supports it,” she said. “Or they leave [New York] and they get off the ground, and then they come back [to New York].”
Startups aren’t limited to the tech world. They include sectors such as real estate and finance. Experts from many sectors could consider playing guidance roles for startups, Lindow said, telling the crowd about a friend who created a lot of famous nightclubs in the city. Her friend later became an adviser for startups related to the nightclub scene, including one developer who envisioned an app to help people search for the best nightclubs.
“I would encourage people who are experts—there’s nothing more invigorating than talking with somebody who has a great idea and being able to help them realize it,” Lindow said.
