Oakland Tech Week Oakland Launches Inaugural Tech Week to Showcase City's Tech Industry
Oakland Tech Week is under way and whoever thought of it, while it has a few misses here and there, it's a good start. One main something is that the discussion of "tech" in Oakland should be daily, weekly. The reason is that in today's culture, everything is tech to some degree; how we do things is now impacted by creations based on new technology and primarily to scale - which is another way of saying get to a lot of people in a short time. How one solves that problem is by coming up with a tech event. That should be a year-round project. But, for now, let's look at the first Oakland Tech Week. OAKLAND, CA - Mayor Barbara Lee today announced the launch of Oakland Tech Week. Oakland’s first Oakland Tech Week is a week-long exploration of technology, innovation, and solutions, November 17 - 21, 2025, bringing together builders, entrepreneurs, technologists, artists, students, and community members to showcase Oakland's emergence as a major Bay Area tech hub. The week-long event will feature networking sessions, panel discussions, pitch competitions, hands-on workshops, and community gatherings across multiple Oakland venues. Oakland Tech Week aims to connect leaders from all levels who are working to modernize government, build inclusive pathways into tech, and use technology as a force for equity, and progress, and demonstrate Oakland's unique position in the Bay Area innovation ecosystem. "We need to harness Oakland's incredible tech talent to address our city's greatest challenges - from public safety to illegal dumping to homelessness," said Mayor Barbara Lee. "Oakland Tech Week is about more than celebrating innovation; it's about channeling that innovation toward solutions that improve the daily lives of Oakland residents. Our tech community has the creativity and expertise to help us build a safer, cleaner, greener, and more equitable city." The event has garnered support from across Oakland's business, education, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, reflecting the city's collaborative approach to economic development. “Oakland's creative energy comes from our makers, our artists, and our community," said Bosko Kante, Co-Founder, HiiiWAV. "Transformative innovation happens when technology and human creativity come together to serve people. Oakland Tech Week is a chance to learn and connect with fellow builders who understand that the best technology is community-centered, culturally rich, and creates genuine opportunity for everyone.” Educational institutions are also playing a key role in the inaugural event, emphasizing Oakland's commitment to workforce development and experiential learning. “At Northeastern, we’re committed to experiential learning that empowers students and residents to lead in technology and are proud to help cultivate the innovation ecosystem that’s taking root in Oakland,” said Renée Jadushlever, Vice President of Campus Administration and Strategic Initiatives at Northeastern University Oakland. “Oakland has extraordinary talent right here in our community, and Oakland Tech Week is about connecting that talent with opportunity,” said Carrie Maultsby-Lute, Head of Partnerships at Northeastern University Oakland. “This city's innovation economy will be built by Oakland's own people.” “Oakland Tech Week is a powerful reminder that when we build technologies in partnership with community, we can create a tech ecosystem that closes gaps of access and opportunity for all. At the Kapor Foundation, we work to ensure that technology, especially AI, is built with equity, transparency, and accountability at its core to ensure that new technologies expand opportunity rather than reinforce inequity. When we center the lived experiences, creativity, and leadership of Oakland’s diverse communities, we redefine what innovation looks like. That’s the future we’re committed to accelerating,” said Dr. Allison Scott, CEO of the Kapor Foundation. Oakland Tech Week is open to tech professionals, entrepreneurs, students, investors, and community members. Registration and event details are available at oaklandtechweek.com. About Oakland Tech Week Oakland Tech Week is an annual celebration of Oakland's innovation economy, designed to connect entrepreneurs, showcase local talent, and position Oakland as a leading destination for inclusive technology development. Contact: OfficeoftheMayor@oaklandca.gov Esther Morales, Director of Innovation, Office of the Mayor EMorales@oaklandca.gov
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ILCR3f883Y
Oakland Tech Week is under way and whoever thought of it, while it has a few misses here and there, it's a good start. One main something is that the discussion of "tech" in Oakland should be daily, weekly. The reason is that in today's culture, everything is tech to some degree; how we do things is now impacted by creations based on new technology and primarily to scale - which is another way of saying get to a lot of people in a short time. How one solves that problem is by coming up with a tech event. That should be a year-round project. But, for now, let's look at the first Oakland Tech Week. OAKLAND, CA - Mayor Barbara Lee today announced the launch of Oakland Tech Week. Oakland’s first Oakland Tech Week is a week-long exploration of technology, innovation, and solutions, November 17 - 21, 2025, bringing together builders, entrepreneurs, technologists, artists, students, and community members to showcase Oakland's emergence as a major Bay Area tech hub. The week-long event will feature networking sessions, panel discussions, pitch competitions, hands-on workshops, and community gatherings across multiple Oakland venues. Oakland Tech Week aims to connect leaders from all levels who are working to modernize government, build inclusive pathways into tech, and use technology as a force for equity, and progress, and demonstrate Oakland's unique position in the Bay Area innovation ecosystem. "We need to harness Oakland's incredible tech talent to address our city's greatest challenges - from public safety to illegal dumping to homelessness," said Mayor Barbara Lee. "Oakland Tech Week is about more than celebrating innovation; it's about channeling that innovation toward solutions that improve the daily lives of Oakland residents. Our tech community has the creativity and expertise to help us build a safer, cleaner, greener, and more equitable city." The event has garnered support from across Oakland's business, education, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, reflecting the city's collaborative approach to economic development. “Oakland's creative energy comes from our makers, our artists, and our community," said Bosko Kante, Co-Founder, HiiiWAV. "Transformative innovation happens when technology and human creativity come together to serve people. Oakland Tech Week is a chance to learn and connect with fellow builders who understand that the best technology is community-centered, culturally rich, and creates genuine opportunity for everyone.” Educational institutions are also playing a key role in the inaugural event, emphasizing Oakland's commitment to workforce development and experiential learning. “At Northeastern, we’re committed to experiential learning that empowers students and residents to lead in technology and are proud to help cultivate the innovation ecosystem that’s taking root in Oakland,” said Renée Jadushlever, Vice President of Campus Administration and Strategic Initiatives at Northeastern University Oakland. “Oakland has extraordinary talent right here in our community, and Oakland Tech Week is about connecting that talent with opportunity,” said Carrie Maultsby-Lute, Head of Partnerships at Northeastern University Oakland. “This city's innovation economy will be built by Oakland's own people.” “Oakland Tech Week is a powerful reminder that when we build technologies in partnership with community, we can create a tech ecosystem that closes gaps of access and opportunity for all. At the Kapor Foundation, we work to ensure that technology, especially AI, is built with equity, transparency, and accountability at its core to ensure that new technologies expand opportunity rather than reinforce inequity. When we center the lived experiences, creativity, and leadership of Oakland’s diverse communities, we redefine what innovation looks like. That’s the future we’re committed to accelerating,” said Dr. Allison Scott, CEO of the Kapor Foundation. Oakland Tech Week is open to tech professionals, entrepreneurs, students, investors, and community members. Registration and event details are available at oaklandtechweek.com. About Oakland Tech Week Oakland Tech Week is an annual celebration of Oakland's innovation economy, designed to connect entrepreneurs, showcase local talent, and position Oakland as a leading destination for inclusive technology development. Contact: OfficeoftheMayor@oaklandca.gov Esther Morales, Director of Innovation, Office of the Mayor EMorales@oaklandca.gov
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ILCR3f883Y
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