The Northside Festival is a massive, eight-day showcase of music, film, food, ideas and entrepreneurship in Brooklyn. The festival takes place every summer, and this year organizers are expecting around 120,000 people. It is New York City’s answer to South By Southwest — and you don't even have to venture down to Texas to check it out.
The festival is kicking off this Thursday, and by the time it finishes, it will feature 400 bands, 150 speakers, 100 video creators and a ton of artists. If you want to go to the whole thing, a pass will run you a pretty reasonable $320. You can get tickets here.
However, if you're on a bootstrapped budget, parts of the festival are free, including the Innovation Expo. What's more, some European governmental agencies are footing the bill for a couple of innovation-themed happy hour events and pitch competitions. As you might guess, space is limited, so register before it’s too late.
Here's the skinny:
June 9-10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Northside Innovation Expo showcases the city’s best technologists, hackers, thinkers and creators in one giant building — the Brooklyn EXPO Center. There will be over 150 exhibitors, and around 10,000 people are expected to attend. Some media bigwigs will be making an appearance, including representatives from the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and TechCrunch. Built In NYC will also be sending a team.
In addition to the exhibitors and media hubbub, the Expo will also include a Jobs Fair, where some of the city's hottest companies will be looking for new talent.
If you do happen to be around the Expo at lunchtime, PivotDesk is going to be buying everyone lunch from 1 to 2 p.m. We've heard that the menu will be from Zaytoons on Thursday & Oaxaca Taqueria on Friday.
Northside Innovation Happy Hour
June 9th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Grab drinks with a ton of entrepreneurs and take in an amazing view of the city from the rooftop of the McCarren Hotel. The event is only a couple of blocks from the Innovation Expo (and on the way to the Bedford Avenue station), so head there before hoping back on the L Train.
Swiss Startup Innovation Pitch Competition and Happy Hour
June 10th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
How could you not be curious about a Swiss pitch competition moderated by Peter Sinkevich, the Director of Fuckup Nights NYC? The event features a lightening-round pitch competition pitting a curated group of 10 young swiss entrepreneurs. After the competition there will be free BBQ and beer at the Brooklyn Brewery. C'mon, BBQ, beer, tech, and Swiss people — it'll be a night to remember.
Northside Innovation Happy Hour Presented By Dutch Culture USA
June 10th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Once you’re done drinking with the Swiss, head over to the Wythe Hotel’s courtyard for drinks with the Dutch. Dutch Culture USA is hosting a happy hour, where innovators can mingle with some of the festival’s VIPs and, of course, a bunch of people from the Netherlands.
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