Bodegas TV launched New York City's first in-store video network, bodegas.tv, on June 4, 2026, at the #NYTechWeek Bodega & Small Business Innovation Summit. The event, held at Stuyvesant Yacht Club in the Bronx, brought together over 100 bodega owners, startup founders, investors, and technologists to explore the "Sovereign Bodega" framework—a strategy to modernize the corner store's digital infrastructure without displacing the cultural identity that makes bodegas essential to their communities.
Co-hosted by the Bodega & Small Business Group (BSBG) and Cortes Global Equity Partners, the summit featured panels on four pillars of bodega modernization: Media Tech & AI, FinTech, Security, and Infrastructure. These discussions centered on transforming storefronts into hyper-local media hubs, deploying integrated financial systems, implementing AI-powered security, and synchronizing inventory and data across locations.
Panelists included industry leaders such as Andre Ureña, co-founder of Centro AI; Milbert Kiggundu-Bentham, former Bank of America executive; Samira O., AI strategist with experience at Amazon and Scale AI; Charlie Barnet, co-founder of World Mobile; Arabel Alva Rosales, former Acting Chairman of the Chicago Transit Authority; Jean Michael Lif, Harvard-trained policy analyst; Riya Goel, investment banker at Bank of America; and Steve Yanovsky, founder of Brand Alchemy, who led digital strategies for major brands including Apple, ESPN, Microsoft Xbox, and Pepsi.
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 added, "Technology is something we can all integrate into our businesses. We are in every corner and we are here to stay." Ozzie Cortes, founder of Cortes Global Equity Partners, noted, "Bodegas are institutions that are highly community focused... I'm amazed by the level of support from all the participants and bodega owners."
Bodegas TV is a smart-screen video network deployed 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, tapping into an estimated $45 billion in annual spending at NYC's corner stores. The launch at NYTechWeek marks the beginning of a planned expansion to 500 bodegas by the end of 2026, and 2,000 bodegas within three years.
The initiative represents a significant step in integrating technology into small businesses that are deeply rooted in their communities. By focusing on modernization without displacement, Bodegas TV aims to help bodegas thrive in an increasingly digital economy while maintaining their role as neighborhood hubs. The summit highlighted the potential for technology to enhance operations, security, and customer engagement without eroding the cultural essence of these iconic stores.
