Record-Breaking Year for WIN Program

The Business Council of Westchester is preparing for a fourth year of the Westchester Innovation Network (WIN), an economic development initiative that has been embraced by emerging companies and established local institutions.

With a record-breaking 2024 cohort of 22 participants, WIN is solidifying Westchester’s reputation as a hub for innovation and economic growth.

“The energy and interest surrounding WIN demonstrates the program’s sustainability and the BCW’s commitment to helping Westchester County transform its economic landscape,” said BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon.

WIN operates on five fundamental principles:

• Communicating why Westchester is the logical choice for innovators.
• Branding Westchester as an innovator-friendly place to live and work.
• Facilitating funding opportunities for innovators.
• Building a culture that embraces risk-taking.
• Nurturing and expanding networking opportunities for innovators.

Examples of the 2024 cohort’s groundbreaking collaborations include 4 Jacks Nitro Cold Brew at Empire City Casio by MGM Resorts. Throughout the summer, the casino’s café has sold 4 Jacks’ nitrogen-infused cold brew, known for its creamy head akin to a Guinness stout.

WIN participant Laronix is testing its AI-powered voice device with cerebral palsy patients at the Burke Neurological Institute. The technology offers a promising advancement in assistive technology.

WIN innovator Immigr8 is piloting its foreign worker visa application platform with Richmond Community Services, streamlining the visa application process for foreign workers. The goal is to reduce Richmond’s costs in acquiring foreign workers.

The BCW WIN’s CityLabs initiative has also made significant strides, most recently pairing students from Iona University with the White Plains Education and Training Center. This collaboration aims to analyze how the center can better serve downtown White Plains’ small business owners and support workforce growth.

The BCW is excited to announce Port Chester as the next participant in the BCW/Iona CityLabs program, further expanding the reach and impact of the WIN initiative.

Additionally, WIN supported White Plains High School’s INCubatoredu program, a rigorous full-year elective offering an authentic entrepreneurship experience. Twenty students developed their own products or services, guided by four BCW member volunteer coaches and mentors who collaborated with the classroom teacher.

In 2024, WIN launched its own podcast, “WIN: The Innovation Roundtable,” as part of the BCW Podcast Network. This new podcast explores the dynamic world of innovation, creativity, and groundbreaking ideas, emphasizing the importance of innovation in driving progress, growth, and transformation in Westchester County and beyond.

WIN’s success is made possible through its dedicated partners, who continuously feed the network with amazing innovators. Key partners include:

– Wilfrid Laurier University

– Iona University

– Georgian Bay Incubator

– Notre Dame University

– White Plains High School

For more information about the BCW WIN and its initiatives, please visit https://thebcw.org/what-we-do/westchester-innovation-network/ or contact Luiz Aragon, laragon@thebcw.org