By Carolina Granaci, Student in the M.S. in Technology Management program
Reinvention and advancement are qualities for which New York City is known, and in the heart of Brooklyn, some fellow M.S. in Technology Management (TMGT) students and I discovered one of the city’s most innovative hubs. As part of our Digital Strategy and Leadership course, we participated in a site visit to Industry City, a place with a profound history where creativity and technology combine to shape the future.
Jim Somoza, head of Industry City, speaking to TMGT students
Our visit began with a conversation with Jim Somoza, the head of Industry City, who shared the story of this Brooklyn landmark’s transformation. What was once a series of old warehouses has now become a thriving ecosystem for over 650 businesses. Reimagined by the same visionaries behind New York City’s Chelsea Market and the High Line, Industry City is now home to dozens of businesses, restaurants, and many successful companies and entrepreneurs.
Industry City offices in Brooklyn
One of the companies located inside Industry City is the Garage, a production studio that redefines what’s possible with visual storytelling. We got to see firsthand one of 300 robotic cameras in the world, an impressive machine capable of capturing dynamic, multi-angled shots with incredible precision, revolutionizing the way stories are told in high-quality video production.
Robotic camera at Industry City
Another highlight we experienced at Industry City was meeting Limor “Ladyada” Fried, the founder of Adafruit Industries. Limor told us how she started Adafruit in her MIT dorm room, using her tuition money to buy supplies and create the first prototypes of her products. Her goal was to share her passion for engineering and create electronic products for makers of all skill levels and ages, something she wished she had growing up.
Taking a bold risk, Limor not only recouped her initial investment by the end of her semester but also laid the foundation for what would become the world’s leading platform for electronic maker kits. Today, Adafruit has developed hundreds of innovative products, ranging from sensors to Raspberry Pi accessories, all of which are manufactured and tested at Industry City.
Hearing about Limor’s journey was especially inspiring, as she overcame countless obstacles and biases while choosing to keep her operations first in Manhattan and now in Brooklyn. Instead of outsourcing to cheaper labor markets abroad, she remained committed to supporting local manufacturing, becoming one of New York City’s largest manufacturers in the process.
Limor had great advice for young technology leaders looking to start a business. She emphasized the importance of simply getting started. You don’t have to be perfect or know all the answers, she advised. Just start making things, and the rest will fall into place at the right time.
TMGT students at one of Industry City's restaurants.
As we wrapped up our visit with an evening at one of Industry City’s many restaurants, it was clear how much this space has reshaped the old into something vibrant and inspiring. Industry City stands as a testament to the power of creativity, innovation, and technology to transform not just spaces but entire communities.
This was just one of many visits to New York City’s most innovative tech spaces organized by the program. Thank you to the TMGT team!
About the Program
Columbia University’s Master of Science in Technology Management is a hands-on technology leadership development program designed to train professionals for equal fluency in tech fundamentals, business operations, and ethical leadership.
The program is available for part-time or full-time enrollment. Learn more about the program here.
