NYCEDC Selects Four Operators for International Landing Pad Network, to Attract Over 50 Growth-Stage Companies Across Innovative Sectors to New York City over 12 Months

Within the International Landing Pad Network, Each Selected Operator Will Establish a Cohort of Growth-stage International Companies, and Offer Them Coworking Space, Business Development Services, and Connections to Tech, AI, Green Economy, and Life Sciences Ecosystems

Announcement Comes in Advance of UN General Assembly, Providing Immediate Opportunities for NYCEDC and International Landing Pad Network to Engage Global Businesses

NEW YORK, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced the selection of Plug and Play, Supermomos, SOSA, and The Clean Fight, as the four operators for the inaugural International Landing Pad Network (ILPN), a one stop-shop for growth-stage international companies looking to establish and expand in New York City.

Each operator will host a cohort of 10 to 20 growth-stage companies operating across innovative, high-growth sectors including Tech, AI, Green Economy, and Life Sciences. Over the course of 12 months, participating companies will benefit from coworking space, tailored business development support, introductions to prospective customers and investors, events, and curated connections across the key industries. Insights from this inaugural network will strengthen the City’s efforts to attract and retain international companies to its innovation economy.

“Making New York City the best place to raise a family means making smart investments to create good-paying jobs not only today but tomorrow as well. Our city’s International Landing Pad Network will help us do just that, setting New York City up for long-term success in critical industries like artificial intelligence, green energy, technology, and more,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Whether it’s breaking the jobs record 11 times, connecting tens of thousands of New Yorkers to jobs through our workforce development efforts, or creating a ‘Harbor of the Future’ along our coastline, the Adams administration is fighting every day to make sure the greatest city in the world has the greatest economy in the world.”

“New York City is the greatest city in the world, and the best place to start and grow a business. With the International Landing Pad Network the city will attract over 50 companies to New York City and send one clear message to the world: now is the time to bring your business to the Big Apple,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr.

“NYCEDC is thrilled to have selected four robust operators to officially launch the ILPN—these partnerships will strengthen industry collaboration, grow our most future-focused sectors, diversify the city’s economy, and attract talent,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “NYC has always been a global hub for people, businesses, and innovative ideas, and the ILPN will give companies the tools to thrive in NYC, while seeding the next generation of large companies that will power our economy.”

“We applaud NYCEDC for launching the International Landing Pad Network and celebrate this milestone with the selected operators,” said Aissata M.B. Camara, Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. “Our office plays a vital role in connecting New York City to the world, and we are proud to help international businesses build lasting roots here, creating jobs for New Yorkers, strengthening our innovation economy, and forging global partnerships. By linking visionary companies with the strength of New York’s diverse communities, we are fueling sustainable growth while reinforcing our city’s place as the global center where ideas and industries thrive.”

To launch the ILPN program, NYCEDC selected four partners to operate four concurrent programs. Each selected operator will run a distinct International Landing Pad program, and together they will form a coordinated, citywide network:

• Plug and Play: An innovation platform with over 60 locations worldwide that will partner with Cornell Tech and focus their program on Medtech, Health, Sustainability, and DeepTech verticals.

• Supermomos: A community tech start-up that will partner with Lightspeed Ventures to deliver an AI-focused program.

• SOSA: A global technology and innovation management company, whose program will serve advanced technology and green economy startups, drawing on its expertise in connecting corporations, governments, and startups to drive collaboration and scale solutions.

• The Clean Fight: A NYSERDA-backed organization accelerating the green economy in New York, helps growth-stage companies scale by forging deep connections with the customers, capital, and policymakers needed to deploy proven solutions.

  
  

“We are thrilled to join NYCEDC’s International Landing Pad Network and help cement New York City’s reputation as a global gateway for innovation,” said Sherif Saadawi, VP Growth Strategy, Plug and Play. “Through our global network of startups, investors, and corporate partners, Plug and Play is committed to attracting top international founders as they scale into the U.S. market and engage with the city’s thriving ecosystem. Together, we aim to create opportunities for entrepreneurship, investment, and job creation across New York City.”

“We’re excited to welcome international founders to New York City as they take the next step in their growth journey,” said Uzi Scheffer, CEO, SOSA. “With over a decade of experience supporting early and growth-stage tech companies through acceleration programs, we understand what it takes to help founders successfully scale in new markets. Through the International Landing Pad Network, we’ll provide a dedicated hub at our New York office, ongoing mentorship, scaleup services, and access to SOSA Ventures, giving 10 international startups the foundation they need to expand and thrive in New York City throughout the year.”

“The next global giants may be founded elsewhere, but they’ll scale in New York,” said Edwina Yeo, Co-Founder & CEO, Supermomos. “With ILPN, NYCEDC is giving structure to what we already see at Supermomos every week—international AI founders choosing NYC to grow big. We’re excited to contribute to this ecosystem alongside them and our partners at Lightspeed.”

“At Lightspeed, we’ve had the privilege of helping founders from across the world expand into the US market,” said Pinn Lawjindakul, Partner, Lightspeed Venture Partners. “With this program, in partnership with NYCEDC and Supermomos, we aim to extend the reach of our global platform and share it with more ambitious companies. In today’s AI era, where innovation is increasingly borderless, we hope this perspective can be of service to founders on their journeys.”

“We’re thrilled to be selected by NYCEDC as part of the International Landing Pad Network,” said Kate Frucher, Managing Director, The Clean Fight. “At The Clean Fight, our core focus is helping growth-stage climate companies scale in New York through high-touch programs that bring together innovators, customers, capital providers, and policymakers to overcome barriers to adoption. New York is seen as a demanding place to scale, but it is also one of the most supportive and resource-rich ecosystems in the world, with unmatched opportunities for collaboration and impact. We’re excited to work alongside NYCEDC and our fellow operators to welcome international innovators and help them thrive here.”

Applications for growth-stage international companies interested in joining the cohort of one the selected operators will open this fall. To be notified when applications open, companies can fill out the form. For the purposes of ILPN, a growth stage international company is defined as those generating $5 million in year-over-year revenue, or with enough capital to grow a team of at least five employees in New York City within roughly two years.

“As an engine for tech startups here in New York City, Cornell Tech is proud to partner with the NYCEDC as well as with Plug and Play on this important initiative to fuel the continued growth of the city’s innovation sector,” said Greg Morrisett, Jack and Rilla Neafsey Dean and Vice Provost for Cornell Tech.

“New York has always been where big ideas come to scale, and the International Landing Pad Network is the next step in ensuring our city remains the global capital for innovation,” said Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC. “From AI to climate tech, international companies know they can find the talent, customers, and partners they need right here. We’re proud to support NYCEDC’s leadership in helping future-shaping companies grow and thrive in New York City.”

The attraction of foreign direct investment is an important part of the City’s economy—in 2024, total foreign direct investment into New York City was $4.9 billion. NYCEDC proactively engages with international audiences to ensure that investors are aware of local opportunities and resources. Last week, NYCEDC hosted institutional investors from across the world to showcase all that New York City has to offer. As New York City prepares for the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week, the launch of the ILPN signals NYCEDC’s readiness to welcome a surge of international delegations exploring opportunities to grow in the city.

ILPN is part of the “Race for Space” initiative, launched by the Adams Administration in January 2025 to create jobs, attract talent, and address the city’s vacant office space across the five boroughs. Just a few months ago, the governor signed A8676/SB8063-A into law, extending REAP and LM-REAP and creating the RACE tax incentive. In July, NYCEDC announced the official closing of its first deal under M-CORE to transform 850 Third Avenue into a modern, sustainable, amenity-rich office building that will have a greater street presence, attract new tenants, and breathe life into the neighborhood.

The suite of programs offered through the Race for Space has translated to New York City’s office vacancy rate improving in four out of the past five quarters, as office leasing activity year-to-date is seeing its best year since 2019. In addition, the New York City Metro area leads in office net absorption—in the last year, more square feet in New York City were leased than vacated, compared to all other metro areas in the United States.

NYCEDC’s business development team works directly with companies considering relocating or expanding to New York City. The team provides free services including site selection, incentive analysis, workforce consultation, and international trade support. Some of the companies that have worked with NYCEDC’s business development team and announced a recent move or expansion to New York City include:

• Bridgewater Associates, the investment management firm signed a long-term lease for 60,000 square feet at 295 5th Avenue, in its first location outside of Connecticut.

• Chobani, the renowned yogurt brand, announced its plans for Chobani House, a 120,000-square-foot-building located at 360 Bowery, that will serve as the company’s global business headquarters for over 300 employees. Chobani House will be a multi-purpose space, utilized both for employees to work in the office and to carry out innovation, social impact, and community enrichment programs.

• OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT and a leader in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry, which recently opened its first east coast office at the historic Puck Building at 295 Lafayette Street, leasing 90,000 square feet of space to house hundreds of employees as they rapidly grow their presence in NYC.

• SharkNinja, the consumer products company announced New York Cityas home to its new Creative Design Hub which will create 45 new jobs. SharkNinja has acquired14,000 square feet at 41 Madison Avenue, in Manhattan’s iconic Flatiron district.

  
  

Companies that are considering expanding to New York City can learn more about these new initiatives and a range of other resources by visiting Choose.nyc.

About NYCEDCNew York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.