New York, NY (PRWEB) March 28, 2011

NYC SeedStart Media 2011, a 12-week summer program searching for the most innovative digital media companies in New York City, has recently announced the list of participating advertising, e-commerce, media and technology companies in the program. Participating companies include Akamai, AOL Ventures, Comcast, ESPN, Gilt City, Google, Hearst Corporation, Kantar Video, MTV Networks, News Corporation, The New York Times Company, OgilvyEntertainment, Time Warner Investments and Vivendi. Startup companies accepted into the program will have direct access to senior level executives from these firms and receive $20,000, mentorship and workspace. In addition, startups selected for the program will also receive support from an outstanding group of venture capital firms including Contour Venture Partners, Comcast Interactive Ventures/Genacast Ventures, NYC Seed, Polaris Venture Partners and RRE Ventures as well as many notable entrepreneurs and Chadbourne amp; Parke LLP, New York University, NY Tech Meetup, Silicon Valley Bank and SorinRoyerCooper.

The vertical focus of NYC SeedStart Media 2011 is uniquely New York, involving numerous corporate participants to work together to foster the growth of new startups. NYC SeedStart Media 2011 aims to bridge the gap between large media corporations and early stage startups developing new technology to transform the industry. I am thrilled to be a part of the NYC SeedStart Media program, said Allison Goldberg, Vice President, Time Warner Investments. I look forward to working with entrepreneurs building innovative digital media companies in New York City, and hope that this mentorship process helps lead to strategic partnership discussions with Time Warner businesses over time.

The growing number of new software companies in New York City over the past few years has led to a stream of new innovations that the leading media companies are eager to grasp. Theres a lot to be gained from SeedStart Media for big corporations and startups alike. Our scale and expertise as content creators combined with the entrepreneurial innovation and fresh thinking of these young companies can elevate some of the best new ideas among New Yorks vibrant digital media community, said Jeremiah Zinn, Executive Vice President of Digital Products for MTV Networks. Startups will benefit from the advice and possible partnership with their larger counterparts. Participating corporations will have exposure to the cutting edge technology and ideas created during NYC SeedStart Media 2011.

Among the dozens of companies applying to be a part of the program NYC SeedStart Media 2011 is seeking companies building new technology in advertising infrastructure, digital content, e-commerce, and mobile technology. As a global leader in the media business, the Times Company has a great deal of interest in nurturing the growth and development of technology-based media companies in our home town – New York City, said Michael Zimbalist, Vice President, Research and Development Operations, The New York Times Company. Our involvement with SeedStart Media is another example of the Times Companys commitment to digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

As media platforms continue to evolve, its critical for Hearst to support the companies that are driving this innovation, said Kenneth Bronfin, President of the Interactive Media Group, Hearst Corporation. We support them through our venture investment activity, through our corporate innovation program and through terrific programs like SeedStart Media. We are confident that our interaction with the SeedStart entrepreneurs will be mutually beneficial. We are proud participants in this program.

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