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About the Author
Marijana Gligoric and Srdjan Ristanovic are founders of brigit.dev, a product development agency that goes far beyond just building mobile and web apps. Their team integrates deeply with founders, acting as strategic partners - blending UX psychology, habit-forming features, and business logic to help startups not only launch, but grow through upsell, cross-sell, and long-term user retention.
While based in Europe, brigit.dev works globally across SaaS, MedTech, EdTech, FinTech, and other verticals - because in fragmented markets like ours, you can't afford to niche down too soon. You have to be smart, flexible, and deeply user-driven.
Since recently expanding into the U.S. market, Marijana and Srdjan share this playbook from firsthand experience - what it's really like to network, connect, and build traction in the fast-paced NYC tech scene.
Where to go, who to meet, and how to make it count.
If youâre a founder visiting New York City, chances are youâre here to meet people, pitch your vision, and open doors for your startup. Welcome! NYC moves fast, talks straight, and rewards initiative.
We recently spent a few intense weeks in the city, attending events, meeting investors, and talking to other founders. We made mistakes, learned what actually works, and found ourselves in dozens of conversations that helped us rethink our strategy and expand our network.
This guide is everything we wish we had when we landed.
Itâs tactical, honest, and full of practical tips-from where to go, how to reach out, and whoâs worth knowing. Whether you're coming for a week or staying for the long game, this guide will help you make the most out of every coffee, pitch, and handshake.
When youâre here for networking, location is key. Youâll be hopping from meetings to events, and the clock adds up fast. Here are a few founder-friendly neighborhoods to consider:
Flatiron District:
A tech hub thatâs walkable and buzzing with startups, coworking spaces, and VCs. Itâs perfect for lunch meetings or quick coffee chats.
SoHo / Nolita:
Stylish and central, with a creative energy. Great access to events, plus it's where many founders hang out or host meetups.
DUMBO (Brooklyn):
Chill but vibrant, with coworking spaces and a creative community. Plus, the views of Manhattan are pretty epic! If youâre meeting NYCâs more creative tech crowd, youâll likely end up here at least once.
Walking is your best friend.
For distances under 30 minutes, walking is often quicker and way more enjoyable. You never know who youâll run into or what cafĂ© youâll discover!
Use the Subway for longer distances.
Google Maps or Citymapper will guide you. Just remember to build in some buffer time for unexpected delays.
Avoid Uber during peak hours.
The traffic is relentless. What looks like a 15-minute ride can stretch to 45 in a heartbeat!
Check venues in advance.
NYC venues can be tricky to find (think warehouses or rooftops). Arrive 5â10 minutes early to avoid an awkward entrance.
NYC can be overwhelming. Events pop up every day, people are always "in meetings," and unless you know where to look - youâll waste time chasing dead ends. The good news? You can stack the odds in your favor with a few tools that helped us unlock real opportunities.
Hereâs what worked for us and how to use each one smartly:
Lunchclub pairs you with relevant people quickly - whether theyâre investors, fellow founders, or industry operators.
Tips:
Geneva hosts intimate groups for founders and creators. Itâs the go-to platform for small, curated events.
Use it for:
Eventbrite is where youâll find more âofficialâ startup events - panels, demo days, pitch nights.
Telegram groups are often more active than Slack or Discord. Look for invite-only channels for founders and operators.
Examples:
Keep track of whoâs building what in real-time. Start by:
To sum it up:
| Tool | What itâs good for | Pro tip |
|---|---|---|
| Lunchclub | Smart 1:1 intros | Be specific about your NYC dates and goals |
| Geneva | Intimate, curated events | Join 2â3 local groups and engage |
| Eventbrite / Luma | Larger public events | Search by niche and location |
| Telegram | Fast-moving founder chats | Ask to be added in person |
| X (Twitter) | Real-time tracking & access | Use Lists + DMs + live posting |
If you only rely on public events and casual chats, youâll miss most of whatâs actually happening in the NYC tech scene. The real magic? It happens in communities - small, invite-only groups, Slack channels, founder dinners, Telegram threads, private brunches.
We tested over a dozen communities and hereâs a curated list of those that are actually worth your time.
Join Tavern for an active space filled with founders and creators. Their events are relaxed and authentic-think rooftop drinks and no-pressure demo days.
Why it matters:
Apply early - spots fill up fast.
Startup Grind NYC hosts fantastic events for early-stage founders, including fireside chats with top names and pitch showcases.
Youâll find:
Ideal for:
For younger founders, these communities are gold:
Small group of Gen Z creators and builders who share ideas, resources, and meet IRL.
A community and incubator hybrid focused on bold building.
Invite-only but worth exploring - the network is tight and helpful, even outside NYC.
A close-knit Slack community that practices genuine support among founders. Strong focus on honest conversations, with weekly âasks & offersâ threads.
Slack invite: (usually shared via events or other founders)
Community for early-stage and first-time founders who are building in public or growing small teams. Itâs designed to be a safe space for brainstorming, building together, and giving/getting feedback.
Check out Founders Club for curated interactions and community-driven activities like hikes and dinners.
Join underground events hosted by people like Andrew for intimate dinners and gatherings.
These are less âofficialâ but incredibly powerful if youâre in SaaS, dev tools, or AI:
Follow @andruyeung on X - he hosts the best underground events:
Youâll meet founders, VCs, and operators all in one go.
Joining communities can seem tricky, but itâs all about visibility:
1. Be visible.
Attend events and mention youâre looking for a community.
2. Be specific.
Instead of a vague âAny good communities?â, say, âIâm building an early-stage SaaS and looking for feedback groups.â
3. Give before you ask.
Share resources or help others out. Communities appreciate those who offer value.
Outreach in NYC isnât about being charming, itâs about being clear, relevant, and fast. Everyoneâs busy, and attention spans are short. You either bring value in the first few seconds, or your message gets ignored.
Hereâs how to make your outreach count:
Skip the small talk. Say who you are and why youâre reaching out - immediately. Make it relevant to the person you're contacting.
No one has time to read long intros or stories. Two or three sentences is more than enough to explain what youâre building and why youâre reaching out.
Donât make people guess what you want or how it helps them. Be clear about what youâre offering or asking and why it matters now.
End your message with something specific. Suggest a time, offer a calendar link, or propose a quick coffee. Avoid vague questions like "let me know what works."
Youâll get more replies when people feel like youâre already in motion. Mention that youâre in NYC for the week, meeting other founders, or already attending events.
Donât ask people to âsuggest a timeâ or âlet you know if theyâre interested.â Make it easy for them to say yes - drop a link or offer two clear options.
If they donât respond right away, wait a few days before following up. One gentle follow-up is fine. After that, move on.
In NYC, cafĂ©s arenât just for grabbing coffee - theyâre where meetings happen, deals get started, and random conversations turn into something real. If youâre a founder visiting the city, these are the places where youâll likely meet other builders, investors, and creatives - without even trying.
We tested dozens of spots. Here are some standout spots to meet other builders or investors:
Use this map to explore:
Most places here are founder-tested and community-approved.
Bonus: Ace Hotel Lobby (NoMad): Technically not a café, but a go-to for founders and operators, massive space, low-key business vibe and it is great for casual meetings and spontaneous networking
Pro Tips:
NYC is packed with coworking spaces, but not all of them are worth your time. Some are just quiet offices. Others are full-on communities where events happen, intros are made, and people actually talk to each other.
The good ones arenât just for desk space - theyâre a fast lane into the local startup scene. And many of these spaces also streamline day-to-day operations with meeting room booking software, making it easy for members to reserve rooms and stay productive without any hassle.
Finding the right coworking space can be a game changer.
Good to know: Events happen here regularly - even if youâre not a member, try to get invited as a guest
Pro tip: Use a day pass to test the vibe or just show up early and ask for a tour
Networking at coworking spaces doesnât always require a membership. Start by checking if the space hosts public events like pitch nights, panels, or community breakfasts. Follow them on X or subscribe to their newsletter for event updates.
You can also ask a member to invite you as a guest, as most spaces allow this. If you're not able to get an invite, book a day pass and treat it like a mini-conference: show up early, work, meet people, and stay late.
Donât forget to introduce yourself to the community manager - theyâre great for making connections if you share what you're building. The right coworking space isnât just about having a desk; itâs about surrounding yourself with people who push you forward. In NYC, the value of that access is often worth the price of admission.
You donât come to NYC just to meet other founders - you come to get in the room with people who can fund your company or open serious doors. But hereâs the truth: not all investors are approachable, active, or early-stage focused.
If youâre looking for funding, knowing the right investors is crucial:
Theyâre often the first check in and help shape the company alongside the team.
They sometimes co-build with founders and provide resources beyond funding. Strong product + strong narrative = a good fit.
It is best for founders building in B2B SaaS, fintech, or healthtech, who want structure + speed
Real support + legit investor connections + engineering-heavy founder network
How to get in: Start by connecting with members at events - many are active in the NYC tech scene and open to conversations
Before reaching out cold, use platforms where investors actually hang out:
In NYC, investor access isnât the bottleneck. Clarity and timing are.
Get your story straight, know who youâre talking to, and lead with what makes your vision matter now.
Even in a city full of opportunity, the key is to stay intentional. If you try to do everything, youâll burn out and miss what actually matters.
Here are some strategies to stay focused:
2â3 quality meetings or events per day is more than enough. More than that, and you stop being sharp.
Mornings are great for deep conversations, evenings for casual meetups. Leave space in between to reset or process.
If youâre meeting someone, know who they are. Check their recent work, tweets, or posts. Tailor your pitch or questions to what matters to them.
It shows respect and it makes your conversation more useful for both sides.
Business casual works in most cases. Jeans and a blazer, or smart sneakers and a clean shirt, are safe bets.
Some events lean formal, others are rooftop and relaxed - check the tone before you go.
NYC rewards people who are intentional, clear, and proactive. Itâs not about being everywhere, itâs about showing up in the right rooms with the right mindset.
If youâre direct, prepared, and respectful of peopleâs time, youâll be surprised how open the scene really is. From founders to investors to operators, people here move fast and if youâre building something real, they want to hear about it.
Use this guide to navigate the noise, find your people, and turn short conversations into long-term momentum.
Your next opportunity might be one coffee away.
And finally, the spiciest part - step by step how brigit.dev did it:
We landed in NYC - we knew we were staying for just 14 days.
I posted on LinkedIn, Instagram and X that I am in New York. We used the momentum of the Netflix series YOU dropping, and built a narrative around it. You can check it out here.
A few people reached out inbound and booked meetings after seeing the post.
Then we kicked off the outreach. Since our ICP is quite broad and doesnât always show strong sales signals, for us, the biggest benefit came from going inbound and getting as much visibility as possible. So that was the goal with our outreach: meet the community.
Btw, we build mobile and web apps for startups - that means pre-seed/seed or anyone who has money and an idea right now.
Next tip: Always research the mindset and habits of the region you're going to. We didnât do that properly for New York, and our first messages didnât land well - they were too detailed for New Yorkers, who actually prefer a more direct, even borderline hard-sell approach.
We built a system around events. Every day, one team member (you can do this solo, too) would go through all the event platforms and sign us up for the relevant ones. Each morning, weâd get tickets and QR codes. After each day, we logged everyone we met into the CRM - tracking is a MUST. You forget people fast otherwise.
We used a Tapni card to connect quickly with people across multiple platforms - so theyâd keep seeing us around.
We built real relationships with community builders and also used Partiful to get into a few private parties.
Donât forget to rest - and donât underestimate burnout. I hit mine after just 7 days. As a CEO, I had packed every day with meetings and meetups.
This is a marathon, not a sprint. Mental health is everything. Rest. Celebrate yourself.
Enjoy New York - it has so much to offer!
