The Big Apple's next big apps were unveiled Tuesday in a contest that challenges tech startups to use city data in unique ways.
NYCFacets was the big winner of the NYC BigApps 3.0 competition, sponsored by the city. Creators earned the $10,000 grand prize for an app that simplifies how city data is accessed online.
Other winners include Embark NYC, which helps users navigate the subways, and Scene Near Me, which alerts people when they're near a place made famous in a movie.
The app went live in November and is looking to expand to Austin, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
"We've gotten great feedback from the app," said Dan Blumberg, one of Scene Near Me's creators. "There are so many cool things that have happened in New York that tourists and even people from New York may not realize took place."
Embark NYC currently has 150,000 users, and Embark CEO David Hodge gushed that "it's exciting to be working on something that so many people use everyday."
The contest, in its third year, featured 11 winners out of 96 applicants in various categories. The apps must be made free to the public in some form.
"The ideas on display in this competition are yet more proof that the city's technology sector is becoming one of the most dynamic on the planet," said Seth Pinsky, president of the NYC Economic Development Corp.
Out East Show: Milk Pail u-pick farm; Lenny Bruno Farms; McCall Wines; Jamesport Farm Brewery NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
Out East Show: Milk Pail u-pick farm; Lenny Bruno Farms; McCall Wines; Jamesport Farm Brewery NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
