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 summit, held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Stuyvesant Yacht Club in The Bronx, convened over 100 NYC bodega owners, startup founders, investors, and technologists to explore 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 was co-hosted by the Bodega & Small Business Group (BSBG), Cortes Global Equity Partners, and other partners. Programming focused on four pillars of bodega modernization: Media Tech & AI, FinTech, Security, and Infrastructure. Panels explored how to transform storefronts into hyper-local media hubs, deploy integrated financial systems, implement AI-powered security, and synchronize inventory and data across distributed locations.
Panelists included Andre Ureña, co-founder and chairman of Centro AI; Milbert Kiggundu-Bentham, former Bank of America executive and co-founder of Alvix Advisory; and Steve Yanovsky, founder of Brand Alchemy, who led digital strategies for Apple, ESPN, and Microsoft Xbox. Others included Samira O., an AI strategist with background at Amazon and MIT; Charlie Barnet, co-founder of World Mobile; Arabel Alva Rosales, president and CEO of AAR Tech; Jean Michael Lif, co-founder of RDÉ; and Riya Goel, an investment banker at Bank of America.
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 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 and CEO of Cortes Global Equity Partners, noted, "I’m amazed by the level of support from all the participants and bodega owners... this is the beginning for bodegas to involve more technology."
Bodegas TV 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 marks the beginning of a planned expansion to 500 bodegas by end of 2026 and 2,000 bodegas within three years.
For more information, visit bodegas.tv. The initiative aims to protect and modernize bodegas, ensuring they remain vital community hubs in an increasingly digital world.
