The TechSet Hearts New York

Words and vibes by Brian Solis

Every now and then, I’m reminded why I do what I do. It’s not just about the tech—it’s about the people driving it. Across the globe, there are communities that spark my curiosity and fuel my optimism. They’re the ones rewriting the rules of innovation, pulling us into a future where relationships are the real currency. And nowhere does that energy shine brighter than in New York.

Back in the day, we called it the TechSet—a movement of creators, dreamers, and disruptors shaping what I’ve long dubbed the social economy. Today, that spirit feels more alive than ever. You’re still the TechSet. You’re the ones building bridges in a world that’s more connected yet somehow more fragmented. And it’s why I’m revisiting a moment that still resonates: when we brought the TechSet to NYC.

Together with the brilliant Stephanie Agresta, we threw open the doors—or rather, the rooftop—of the iconic Hotel Gansevoort on June 7, 2008. It was a West Coast vibe meeting East Coast hustle, a mashup of entrepreneurs, VCs, bloggers, and visionaries during InternetWeek. The Meatpacking District buzzed below us, and up top, we toasted to a new era of the web—one defined not just by code, but by connection.

The Pulse of a Thriving Scene

Stephanie Agresta, co-conspirator and tech trailblazer

New York’s tech ecosystem has always been a force. It’s a city that doesn’t just adapt—it defines. Back then, we saw it in the founders sketching ideas on napkins, the developers coding the next big thing, and the storytellers amplifying it all. That day on the rooftop, I felt the hum of possibility. It wasn’t just a party; it was a glimpse into how human ingenuity could steer the digital age.

Moments That Matter

Here’s a roll call of the brilliant minds who lit up that day:

• Jane Quigley
  

• Rana June
  

• Joel Dreyfuss of Red Herring
  

• Leora Zellman
  

• Loren Feldman and Michelle
  

• Charles Forman of Iminlikewithyou.com
  

• Julia Allison
  

• Aubrey Sabala (Digg) and Maya Baratz (Flickr)
  

• Andrew Baron of Rocketboom and Sarah Austin
  

• Caroline McCarthy of CNET
  

• Gaia Borgias Brown
  

• Hugh MacLeod
  

• Meghan Asha, Sarah Austin, and David Karp of Tumblr
  

• Esther Dyson
  

• Stephanie Frasco
  

• Charles Hope (Blip.tv) and Dan Patterson (Talk Radio News Service)
  

• Steve and Mrs. Rosenbaum of Magnify.net
  

• Laura Fitton aka Pistachio
  

The After Hours Glow

The rooftop was just the beginning. The afterparty stretched into the night, a blur of laughter, ideas, and that unmistakable NYC energy.

• Aubrey Sabala and Pete Cashmore
  

• Pete “Cash”more
  

• Brett Petersel
  

• Leora Zellman (again, because she’s that cool)
  

Why It Still Matters

Looking back, that TechSet moment wasn’t just a snapshot—it was a blueprint. Today, as we navigate AI, Web3, and whatever’s next, the lesson holds: people power progress. New York’s tech scene continues to evolve, blending grit with brilliance, and it’s a reminder that the social economy isn’t a relic—it’s a living, breathing force.

Thanks to everyone who made that day unforgettable. Want more? Check out the full gallery of the TechSet event and the afterparty vibes.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Find me on Twitter, LinkedIn, or wherever you’re shaping the future.

Keep disrupting, keep connecting—because that’s the TechSet way.
— Brian Solis