STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The borough's growing tech industry got a boost from Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday when he unveiled Digital.NYC, an online hub for the city's tech industry.

The website's goal is to provide information and resources to help turn innovative ideas into tech startups. In addition, Digital.NYC promises to deliver valuable tools for digital startups, and connect New Yorkers to opportunities in the city's tech ecosystem.

"Technology is driving innovation across New York City's industries -- from fashion to finance to manufacturing, making it more necessary than ever for the city's digital community to have a central platform," said de Blasio.

The pioneering search portal and database, which includes profiles of city-based tech companies and investors, comes on the heels of a burgeoning tech boom on Staten Island's North Shore.

In August, LaunchPads, a 2,000-square-foot co-working space for tech startups opened in St. George. Many in the tech industry hope the co-working space is the start of a tech boom in the borough.

Those on the forefront of Staten Island's tech community say Digital.NYC will prove to be a good resource for the borough's teckies.

"The Digital.NYC website gives us another springboard from which we can make the case for and help cultivate a local startup tech scene on Staten Island," said Lyle Foxman, founder of netLABnyc, a web design, social media and online marketing startup that operates out of NYC Arts Cypher in Stapleton.

"We must take this opportunity to be part of the larger citywide tech community by participating, sharing and promoting Staten Island startup/tech entrepreneurs, coworking/maker spaces and events," added Foxman, who also is the founder of Startup Staten Island Tech Meetup.



Said Great Kills resident Craig Caruso, owner of CarusoApps, "DigitalNYC is exactly what the five boroughs needed. We finally have an overview of what is going on in the city with startups and meet-ups. Mayor de Blasio sees the future for NYC and we are one step closer to becoming the tech hub everyone talks about."

However, Caruso said more Staten Island-based startups need to be listed on the site. Digital.NYC promises to provide:

A unified search portal and database with profiles of every New York City tech company and investor.

Continuous updates of early-stage tech and digital job openings and classes in New York City.

A directory of tools, services and support needed to transform an idea into a business in New York City, including workspaces, startup funding sources, venture accelerators, connections to developers and business professionals, and guidance from investors and tech leaders.

A comprehensive, interactive, event calendar for the New York City startup community.

Up-to-the-minute news stories, videos and blogs about New York City's tech and digital economy.

Digital.NYC builds on the city's original Made in New York Digital Map, created in 2012 by Internet Week New York, and the city's We Are Made in NY campaign, launched in 2013.

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