US-based media-focused accelerator Matter Ventures has teamed up with media company New York Times and Google News Lab, internet technology provider Google’s journalism platform, to expand to New York City, according to TechCrunch.
The partnership will bring the accelerator, which so far has only operated in San Francisco, to Manhattan. Matter expects the location will give it access to the local media and adtech sector.
Matter runs a five-month accelerator scheme aimed at startups in the media industry. The startups each receive $50,000 in seed funding and are also able to complete intrapreneurial initiatives for the accelerator’s partners, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship among startups and businesses.
Matter previously attracted the support of players such as news agency Associated Press, radio content distribution and licensing platform Public Radio Exchange, and journalism-focused non-profit organisation Knight Foundation for its program in San Francisco.
Nick Rockwell, chief technology officer at the New York Times, said: “It is not an exaggeration to say that New York, in addition to being our home, is the global capital of news media.
“We think that this is a unique opportunity for us at the Times to observe, participate, and maximise our exposure to design thinking, and the transparency Matter brings to the process. If I could send 200 people through the Matter bootcamp, I would, because the need to innovate really permeates the entire organisation.”