Bodegas TV launched NYC's first in-store video network, bodegas.tv, on June 4, 2026, at the #NYTechWeek Bodega & Small Business Innovation Summit. The Summit took place from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Stuyvesant Yacht Club, 10 Centre St., The Bronx.
Co-hosted by the Bodega & Small Business Group (BSBG) and Cortes Global Equity Partners, the Summit convened over 100 NYC bodega owners, startup founders, investors, and technologists. The event explored what organizers call the “Sovereign Bodega” framework—modernizing the corner store’s digital infrastructure without displacing the cultural identity that makes bodegas essential to their communities.
The Summit featured panels on four pillars of bodega modernization, all anchored in the “Sovereign Bodega” thesis: Media Tech & AI, transforming storefronts into hyper-local media hubs through decentralized broadcasting and intelligent automation; FinTech, deploying integrated financial systems and frictionless micro-payments to unlock new revenue streams; Security, using AI-powered ambient systems to protect assets while enhancing the customer experience; and Infrastructure, synchronizing inventory, data, and content across distributed physical locations.
Panelists included Andre Ureña, Co-Founder & Chairman of Centro AI; Milbert Kiggundu-Bentham, Co-Founder & CEO of Alvix Advisory; Samira O., Founder of Building Experimental AI Products; Charlie Barnet, Co-Founder of World Mobile; Arabel Alva Rosales, President & CEO of AAR Tech; Jean Michael Lif, Co-Founder of RDÉ; Riya Goel, Investment Banker at Bank of America; and Steve Yanovsky, Founder of Brand Alchemy.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson emphasized the importance of bodegas, stating, “Our bodegas are always open. They are the ones who are building relationships, community, and they are the ones creating jobs.” Carlos Collado of the National Supermarket Association and Bodega and Small Business Association noted, “Technology is something we can all integrate into our businesses. We are in every corner and we are here to stay.” Ozzie Cortes of Cortes Global Equity Partners added, “Bodegas are institutions that are highly community focused. I’m amazed by the level of support... People really love and care about bodegas, this is the beginning for bodegas to involve more technology.”
The Bodegas.TV network is a smart-screen video network deploying inside NYC’s bodegas, delivering hyper-local media, advertising campaigns, and AI-curated content directly to the point of purchase. The network targets Latino and urban communities, contributing to $45 billion in annual spending in NYC's corner stores. The launch at NYTechWeek marks the beginning of a planned expansion to 500 bodegas by end of 2026, and 2,000 bodegas within three years.
This initiative represents a significant step in integrating technology into small businesses without eroding their community-centric character. For bodega owners, the network offers new revenue opportunities through advertising and data-driven insights, while customers gain access to relevant local content. The broader impact could reshape how corner stores compete with larger retailers, potentially strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural touchstones in NYC neighborhoods.
