LISTnet building ‘digital ballpark’ for small tech companies
Raj Mehta, CEO of Infosys International, and Peter Goldsmith, president of LISTnet, stand in 110 Terminal Dr. on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Plainview. Credit: Howard Schnapp
The Long Island Software & Technology Network, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the growth of local tech companies, is renovating shared office space in Plainview to create what it calls a “digital ballpark.”
The new office space is located at 100 Terminal Dr. and will be operated by LISTnet and leased out by Infosys International Inc., an IT consultancy that is headquartered there. The 5,000-square-foot space will accommodate nine small to mid-sized tech companies and feature a 1,500-square-foot common area for LISTnet-hosted events when complete. The digital ballpark is expected to host its opening day in early May.
“We want to make this a technology hub,” said Peter Goldsmith, president and founder of LISTnet, which operates on membership dues from technology firms and sponsorships from universities and tech company service providers. “We just felt this was a good opportunity to bring companies together.”
Last month, LISTnet moved its two-person staff from LaunchPad Mineola, a co-working space for startups, to a new headquarters office in the Infosys building. That building is owned by Infosys chief executive Raj Mehta.
After a deal to lease a portion of Mehta’s building to a single tenant fell through, Goldsmith and Mehta discussed turning the space into small offices for multiple tech businesses.
Stony Brook University’s Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology, Hofstra University, Meltzer Lippe & Goldstein, KPMG and TriNet are sponsoring the new office center.
Rents for the offices range from $350 to $1,000 per month, depending on size. The ballpark will include a joint conference room — called the dugout — and a kitchen and coffee area — referred to as the locker room.
Two tech companies, Westbury-based InterConnecta, a software company that connects businesses with potential corporate clients, and PJT Technology, a technology and business consultancy started by LISTnet vice president Paul Trapani, have already signed on as tenants.
“We want to create an atmosphere where the companies partner and work together,” Goldsmith said.
