At the forefront of a great technology revolution, Newark, New Jersey, is becoming the next booming tech hub.
Much of this advancement is made possible through Newark Fiber‘s Firebolt Wi-Fi; one of the fastest in broadband technology to date, offering up to 10,000 MB speeds to many Newark facilities and parks.
The possibilities for many incoming tech innovators and entrepreneurs are endless, while being surrounded by tech powerhouses like Audible, Panasonic, Newark Venture Partners, and more.
Medina (who goes by that single name) and his co-founders Sean Hairston (CEO) and Rafael Roman (COO) of Medina=Citi, a Newark-based tech-enabled design agency, saw this growing potential nine years ago, when starting their business.
The founders launched =SPACE (pronounced “Equal Space”)—a co-working space and incubator in Newark.
“Technology is the great equalizer for brown and black startups,” said Medina when discussing opportunities for minority business owners and their specific programs supporting marginalized groups.
“It is going to be their aggressive embracing of technology. We see that politically. I think we see that socially. And I think we see that in business.”
Surrounded by neighboring colleges like Rutgers University-Newark Campus, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Essex County College, =SPACE has also engaged with and provided many college students with real portfolio work and opportunities. “This year we are piloting an early college program this summer for newly admitted college students. We are giving them as much exposure as we can within this field,” says Medina.
=SPACE is located in the downtown Newark arts and business district at 2 Gateway Center. It offers business coaching, workshops, live podcasts, events and more from entrepreneurs at all stages of development.