Internet Week Puts Tech Startups in the Spotlight

David Pomerantz, executive vice president of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, demonstrates a new app for Alzheimer's caregivers on Feb. 28, 2013, in New York. Tech startups will have a chance to network during Internet Week New York from May 20–27. (AP Photo/Jim Fitzgerald)

NEW YORK—The fresh ideas from startups are the wheels that keep technology rolling, yet in the sea of concepts and proposals, they can easily be overlooked. Luckily for them, however, there are expos like Internet Week where brands, agencies, and angel investors come searching for talent and great ideas.

“Start-ups don’t really have a lot of opportunities to get exposure to agencies and brands,” said Caroline Waxler, Internet Week New York festival director.

Waxler said she once worked in a position to evaluate startups, and it was often difficult without meeting people in person. Proposals often came in heaps, and it was difficult to determine the professionalism of the people.

At Internet Week, she said, “You can network in a no pressure environment.”

Internet Week New York, which lasts from May 20–27, is expected to bring 45,000 people to participate in parties, meetups, and other events throughout the city. The central event at the Metropolitan Pavilion—which will feature celebrity keynotes and panel discussions—will last from May 20–23, and is expected to have 10,000 attendees.

The event helps programmers and designers get a general sense of the markets, competition, and what companies are looking for.

The core event at Metropolitan Pavilion will also have Start-Up City, which will highlight new companies.

Waxler said Start-Up City will be more than just an expo of new companies, however, and will double as a “digital playground” with free coffee and popcorn, free Wi-Fi, and a furnished workplace designed by Vault49.

“Think of it as one fabulous co-working space where you can network and meet people,” she said. “Stay there all day, and print extra business cards.”

While Waxler wouldn’t give too many details, she also hinted at a “big announcement” that will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion, from a certain individual people care about.