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, convened over 100 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.
Co-hosted by the Bodega & Small Business Group (BSBG) and Cortes Global Equity Partners, the Summit included panels on four pillars of bodega modernization: Media Tech & AI, FinTech, Security, and Infrastructure. Panelists included Andre Ureña, co-founder of Centro AI; Milbert Kiggundu-Bentham, former Bank of America executive; and Steve Yanovsky, a media innovation veteran who co-founded DriverTV, acquired by NBCUniversal.
According to Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, '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 of Cortes Global Equity Partners emphasized the community support: '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 that delivers 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.
The Summit's focus on the 'Sovereign Bodega' thesis—modernization without displacement, technology without erasure—reflects a growing recognition that bodegas are not just retail outlets but community anchors. By integrating digital tools like AI-powered security and frictionless micro-payments, the initiative aims to unlock new revenue streams for small businesses while preserving their cultural significance. As Samira O., founder of Building Experimental AI Products, noted, 'Bodegas are institutions that are highly community focused.' The launch of Bodegas TV and the Innovation Summit signal a concerted effort to ensure that as technology evolves, bodegas remain at the heart of their neighborhoods.
