Strategic Partnership will Spark Innovation and Job Growth

1776 today announced a partnership with the Brooklyn Navy Yard to fuel transformative innovation in New York City and answer Mayor Bill de Blasio’s charge to create and preserve quality jobs in line with his administration’s $100 million investment in Building 77.

1776 will build its first New York City campus on the top floor of Building 77, becoming the anchor tenant of the 1,000,000-square-foot building currently undergoing a $185 million renovation. Set to open in 2017, Building 77 will serve as the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s new public gateway with a food manufacturing hub on the ground floor, and it will support 3,000 new jobs.

Together, 1776 and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation will bring new entrepreneurs to the Yard and support existing businesses by expanding membership in the 1776 startup program to more New Yorkers.

1776 New York City will convene institutions, policymakers and startups to revitalize critical industries like education, energy, food, health, smart cities, transportation and financial services. 1776 Managing Director Rachel Haot will oversee all New York City operations, and the organization will pay local employees a living wage.

• “Once again, New York City is showing the world what inclusive, meaningful entrepreneurship and economic development looks like. Partnering with 1776 at the Navy Yard is a big step toward achieving our goal of making our city the global capital of the new innovation economy.” said Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City.
• “Attracting 1776 to Building 77 will lead to many cutting-edge startups locating at the Yard and make a great addition to our existing culture of cross-sector innovation and collaboration. We look forward to partnering with 1776 as their small businesses grow, expand into additional space and become significant employers at the Yard,” said David Ehrenberg, President and CEO of Brooklyn Navy Yard.
• “1776 is eager to work with New York City’s innovators to transform industries and empower startups. We are thrilled to join forces with the Brooklyn Navy Yard to drive this mission in the greatest city on Earth,” said Rachel Haot, Managing Director of 1776.

1776 New York City will begin accepting applications for its membership wait list immediately. To learn more, visit 1776.nyc or follow @1776NY on Twitter and Instagram.

Images of Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Building 77 and other digital assets are available at 1776.nyc.

About 1776

1776 is a public benefit corporation that scouts and funds high-growth startups around the world focused on solving society’s most fundamental challenges in sectors like education, energy, transportation and financial services. Launched by co-CEOs Donna Harris and Evan Burfield and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with additional campuses in Dubai, New York City and San Francisco, 1776 serves hundreds of startups and institutions worldwide through its innovation curriculum, mentorship, investment and programming. It hosts more than 500 international events per year that attract heads of state, Fortune 500 CEOs, influential investors and global press. For more information, please visitwww.1776.vc and follow @1776 on Twitter and @1776vc on Instagram.

About Brooklyn Navy Yard

The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) is the not-for-profit corporation that serves as the real estate developer and property manager of the Yard on behalf of its owner, the City of New York. BNYDC’s mission is to fuel New York City’s economic vitality by creating and preserving quality jobs, growing the City’s modern industrial sector and its businesses, and connecting the local community with the economic opportunity and resources of the Yard. BNYDC’s vision is a vibrant and dense, modern manufacturing community where businesses are provided the stability needed to invest, grow, and thrive. The Yard is now home to over 300 businesses employing approximately 7,000 people and generating over $2B per year in economic impact for the City. BNYDC’s goal is to more than double employment – to 16,000 jobs – by 2020.