When it comes to booming tech scenes, Newark isn’t exactly the first city that comes to mind. Silicon Valley? Sure. Austin? Absolutely. But Newark, New Jersey? You may be surprised.

However, the Brick City has quietly developed a thriving technology and startup community. And this week, it’s putting that community in the spotlight.

This year’s Newark Tech Week runs from today Monday, October 12, through Saturday, October 17, bringing together entrepreneurs, developers, investors, students, creatives, and anyone interested in the future of technology.

According to the official Newark Tech Week website, this year’s celebration features 27 free events across 13 venues throughout the city. Among the offerings are AI workshops, startup pitch competitions, cybersecurity discussions, networking mixers, and hackathons.

The event is organized by Equal Space, Newark’s coworking and entrepreneurship organization, with registration handled through Luma.

It doesn’t matter if you’re launching a startup, experimenting with AI, seeking collaborators, or just curious about Newark’s evolving tech ecosystem.

Here are some tips for making the most of Newark Tech Week 2026, including the daily schedule and participating organizations.

What Is Newark Tech Week?

During Newark Tech Week, technology, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation are celebrated across the city. Think of it as a chance to connect people building the future through workshops, discussions, demonstrations, pitch competitions, and networking opportunities. Moreover, it’s a chance to showcase the talent and business already present in this city.

The event has also come a long way since its debut.

As ROI-NJ reported, the original five-day program was created by =Space, now known as Equal Space, to highlight Newark’s emerging technology community and support local startups. This gathering was supposed to be an annual thing.

That vision appears to be paying off. Newark Tech Week has expanded from 17 events in 2024 to 26 events in 2025 and 27 events in 2026. It also lists more than 2,000 registrants.

A 2026 Nucamp guide describes Newark Tech Week as a flagship event on the city’s technology calendar. It also reports that the 2025 edition attracted more than 2,000 attendees.

The organization behind the event.

Founded in 2015, Equal Space operates two Newark campuses, ES17 and ES550.

A variety of entrepreneurs and nonprofits are supported through these spaces, as well as technology startups, creative professionals, and corporate innovation teams. In addition to providing work spaces, Equal Space fosters connections between the people and organizations shaping Newark’s business scene.

This year, both campuses will participate in the festivities. And while the event certainly celebrates emerging technology, Newark Tech Week isn’t exclusively for programmers or people who spend their days discussing algorithms.

In addition, there is a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, business development, education, and the creative economy. To put it another way, you don’t have to know Python to find something interesting.

Monday, October 12: Newark Tech Summit Kicks Things Off

Newark Tech Week opens with one of its biggest events: the Newark Tech Summit.

When: 1:30–6 p.m.
Where: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall, Rutgers University-Newark, 15 Washington Street

Organizers anticipate more than 500 attendees, including startup founders, investors, technology professionals, corporate leaders, students, and community organizers.

At 2 p.m., the summit will begin with a keynote address and a discussion of why entrepreneurs are choosing New Jersey to launch and grow their businesses.

At 3:15 p.m., Dupé Ajayi, founder of The Ajayi Effect, delivers the keynote address.

Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the future of learning, technology beyond traditional screens, and Startup Alley, where they will be able to meet emerging companies.

Among the afternoon’s highlights is Counter’s 90-second startup pitch competition. Founders have just a minute and a half to pitch their ideas. The winner walks away with up to $500 after attendees vote on their favorite. This is a quick introduction to the realities of entrepreneurship: explain what you’re building, get people excited, and do it fast.

Monday evening: Opening mixer

After the summit, the conversation continues at the NTW Opening Mixer.

When: 6–7:30 p.m.
Where: Consigliere

Here’s your chance to get to know your fellow attendees in a more relaxed setting. In addition to scheduled presentations, informal conversations can be equally valuable to startup founders, freelancers, and business owners.

Tuesday, October 13: Build an App, Talk Startups, and Pitch Your Business

Tuesday shifts the focus toward hands-on learning and entrepreneurship, with three scheduled events.

Gotta Blast: Build an AI-powered app

When: 1–4 p.m.
Where: Fiserv

Ever wanted to build an app but assumed you’d need months of coding experience? Gotta Blast aims to challenge that assumption by showing attendees how to launch an application using AI in just 30 minutes. Using AI-assisted development tools makes software creation more accessible to people without a traditional programming background.

Of course, developing a working prototype is very different from starting a successful software company. Nonetheless, it’s useful to learn how quickly ideas can become tangible.

Pub Talks at NJIT

When: 5–7 p.m.
Where: Highlander Pub

Hosted by the NJIT Center for Student Entrepreneurship, Pub Talks provides an opportunity for students, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts to exchange ideas.

For attendees who prefer conversations over presentations, the setting is more casual than a conference hall.

Crowd Theory: Live business pitching

When: 6–9 p.m.
Where: Equal Space ES550

Have a business idea worth sharing? Crowd Theory puts entrepreneurship front and center with a live pitching event.

Even if you aren’t presenting, learning how other founders position, communicate, and identify what makes an idea compelling from other founders can be useful.

Wednesday, October 14: Hackathons, Cybersecurity, and Customer Growth

On Wednesday, there are seven events scheduled for Newark Tech Week. Besides writing code and protecting digital information, programming also attracts customers and supports creators.

Code and Coffee Hackathon

When: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Fiserv

The Code and Coffee Hackathon allows developers and builders to collaborate, experiment, and put their technical skills to work. A hackathon is great because it gets participants to start building instead of just discussing ideas.

Whether you’re a developer with years of experience or just want to connect with other professionals, the event offers a practical problem-solving environment.

Cybersecurity, For Everyone

When: Noon–2 p.m.
Where: Seton Hall Welcome Center

Fortune 500 companies and IT departments aren’t the only ones concerned about cybersecurity. There are numerous threats facing small businesses, freelancers, students, and everyday internet users, including phishing scams and hacking.

Hosted by Per Scholas, Cybersecurity, For Everyone focuses on understanding digital threats and protecting yourself online. With so much personal and business information stored digitally, this is one of the week’s more broadly applicable sessions.

Wednesday evening: Creators and customer acquisition

Wednesday evening also featured two additional events.

The Culture Capital Creator Mixer, held at Newark Culture Club, brings together people working in creative fields.

Meanwhile, You Built It. So Why Aren’t Customers Coming?, at 17 Academy Street, tackles a problem that should sound painfully familiar to entrepreneurs.

It’s one thing to build a product or launch a website. It’s another thing to get people to actually use, purchase, or notice it. As such, among all the topics discussed, customer acquisition is one of the most practical topics of the conference for startups and small businesses struggling to gain traction.

Thursday, October 15: AI, Innovation, and Newark’s Growing Tech Community

Thursday is the busiest day of Newark Tech Week 2026, with eight events scheduled. As part of the program, attendees will learn about local institutions, visit Equal Space’s innovation campus, and discuss how artificial intelligence is changing business and entrepreneurship.

TechWalk at the Newark Museum of Art

When: 9 a.m.
Where: Newark Museum of Art

TechWalk kicks off Thursday’s programming at one of Newark’s best-known cultural institutions. It’s a reminder that technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum. As digital innovation advances, art, education, design, and creativity become increasingly intertwined.

Open SPACE at ES550

When: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Equal Space ES550

Curious about what Newark’s entrepreneurial infrastructure actually looks like? Open SPACE at ES550 gives visitors a chance to explore Equal Space’s technology and innovation campus. A visit to the coworking space may be more helpful than reading another brochure if you are looking for a professional community, workspace, or potential collaborators.

Innovation, Access, and Impact

When: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Fiserv

The Rise Circle hosts an Innovation, Access, and Impact panel examining the relationship between innovation and opportunity. For a city that wants to ensure the growth of its technology sector creates opportunities for existing residents and businesses, it’s an important discussion.

Thursday evening: Making AI useful

There are a number of events on artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship on Thursday evenings. For example, AI Made Simple explores how people can use AI to save time, maintain their own voice, and work responsibly with emerging tools.

The last point deserves special attention. There’s no doubt that artificial intelligence can speed up repetitive tasks. There is, however, a difference between using it to support your work and letting it replace your judgment, creativity, and expertise. In today’s competitive business environment, business owners and content creators must learn that distinction.

Meanwhile, Infinite Possibilities for Techpreneurs takes place at ES550. Moderated by Vanessa King, the panel features Aquila Leon-Soon, Dee C. Marshall, and Tia Lacole Broadus.

Also on Thursday evening, The Build Room by Synrgy runs from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. at Fiserv.

With several sessions overlapping, Thursday is a day when planning ahead will pay off.

Friday, October 16: Community, AI Infrastructure, and the Closing Party

Friday is a day of celebration, technology education, and community building.

Ship ‘n Run

When: 7 a.m., with coffee around 8 a.m.
Where: Location provided after registration

Networking events don’t always require a conference table or name tags. Ship ‘n Run brings founders and builders together for an early-morning run.

And if running isn’t your thing, you can still join the group for coffee around 8 a.m. If you prefer making connections through shared activities, this is a refreshing alternative.

Newark Tech Empowerment Day

When: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: 17 Academy Street

Hosted by The Knowledge House, Newark Tech Empowerment Day puts technology education and empowerment on Friday’s agenda. The purpose of such programs is to connect people with the skills, resources, and relationships they need to succeed in the digital economy.

The Infrastructure of AI

When: 3:30–7 p.m.
Where: Bloom Wellness and Events Center

Conversations about AI tend to revolve around chatbots, image generators, and whatever new models were released the day before. But what about the technology supporting those tools?

The Infrastructure of AI turns attention toward the underlying systems that make artificial intelligence possible. Anyone interested in understanding AI beyond the applications appearing on their screens will find this topic useful.

The Breakroom: Official Closing Party

When: 6–8 p.m.
Where: Vault Lounge

After several days of presentations, workshops, and networking, it’s time to unwind. The Breakroom, hosted by Tribaja, serves as the official Newark Tech Week closing party. It’s your last chance to reconnect with people you met throughout the week and potentially form lasting business relationships.

Saturday, October 17: AI, Coffee, and One Last Chance to Connect

Even though Newark Tech Week officially concludes on Friday, the event isn’t over yet. There will be two additional events at Equal Space ES550 on Saturday.

AI & Mimosas

AI & Mimosas focuses on creating flyers that don’t immediately scream, “An AI made this.” The challenge is surprisingly relevant.

While artificial intelligence has made it easier to produce visual content, recognizable templates, generic design choices, and awkward details can make the results seem impersonal. It could be a useful skill for marketers, entrepreneurs, and small-business owners to learn how to create more natural-looking promotional materials.

NJ Code & Coffee

When: 2–5 p.m.
Where: Equal Space ES550

NJ Code & Coffee closes out Saturday with a Newark Tech Week edition of its recurring developer meetup. It’s another opportunity for programmers, aspiring developers, and technology enthusiasts to exchange ideas and connect with others working on similar projects.

Bonus event: Newark Demo Day on October 20

Newark Tech Week technically ends on October 17. On Tuesday, however, there will be one more event.

Newark Demo Day: 2026 and Beyond is scheduled for October 20, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Newark Museum of Art. Hosted by Audible and Invest Newark, the event extends the celebration of Newark’s entrepreneurial ecosystem beyond the official six-day schedule.

Who Is Supporting Newark Tech Week 2026?

It’s impossible to hold an event of this size without the support of others. Sponsors of Newark Tech Week 2026 include:

• Audible
• New Jersey Economic Development Authority
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• United Airlines
• PSE&G
• Rutgers University-Newark
• City of Newark
• Newark Arts and Education District

It’s interesting to see how many of these organizations have longstanding connections to Newark.

The city is home to Newark Liberty International Airport, Rutgers-Newark, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Prudential, PSEG, and Audible also have their headquarters here.

Having universities, established corporations, transportation infrastructure, and emerging startups in one place gives Newark a foundation for continued technology development.

Additionally, the week’s programming includes investors and business leaders. For example, Newark Tech Summit speakers include Justin Murray, an early-stage investor at Plug and Play NJ, and Solomon Steplight, CEO of Newark Alliance. Their participation reflects the event’s focus on connecting entrepreneurs with established business networks.

Of course, sponsoring a technology festival won’t automatically result in a thriving startup scene. The real test is whether those connections translate into new businesses, investments, jobs, and opportunities for Newark residents. Even so, bringing these groups together is an important part of the process.

Planning to Attend? Here’s What You Should Know

With 27 events over six days, Newark Tech Week has something for everyone. But when sessions overlap, it also creates some logistical challenges. So a little preparation can help you avoid spending more time planning than actually participating in the event.

Register for individual events. Although every event is free, each has its own registration page. Visit the official Newark Tech Week Luma calendar to reserve your spot.

Check venue locations before heading out. The events are spread across 13 locations in Newark. Although many are accessible from Newark Penn Station or the Broad Street corridor, don’t assume everything takes place in one building. The official website provides venue information, including directions to locations such as Rutgers-Newark’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall.

Pay attention to RSVP-only locations. Some events, including Ship ‘n Run, provide exact meeting details after registration.

Don’t try to attend everything. On Wednesday and Thursday, several sessions overlap. If you’re interested in AI, software development, entrepreneurship, or networking, choose the events that are most relevant to you.

Watch for schedule changes. Follow Newark Tech Week on Instagram and check your individual Luma registrations for the latest updates.

Why Newark Tech Week Matters Beyond the Events

In many ways, Newark Tech Week is just another collection of conferences, workshops, and networking events. However, there’s more to this story. Historically, New Jersey entrepreneurs and technology professionals have sought out industry events, investors, and professional connections in New York City or Philadelphia.

With Newark Tech Week, these opportunities are being demonstrated in the Brick City as well.

In addition to established companies, local startups, educational institutions, developers, artists, and community organizations are invited to participate in the event. It also makes the programming free, removing one of the barriers to participation for students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

The diversity of the schedule also reflects the changing technology industry. For example, you can spend one afternoon building an AI application, another exploring cybersecurity, and an evening discussing why customers aren’t buying your product. It’s a more realistic picture of entrepreneurship than simply telling everyone to learn to code.

Newark Tech Week’s real value won’t be measured solely by attendance figures or the number of events on the calendar. It will be revealed in what happens afterward: in the partnerships formed, the ideas developed, the businesses launched, and the opportunities created.

For now, Newark has six days to show off its technology community. With 27 free events on the schedule, there is little reason for anyone interested in technology, business, or innovation in New Jersey not to attend.

For the complete schedule and registration information, visit NewarkTechWeek.com or the official Luma event calendar.