Late last year, a Google Developer Group in Albuquerque hosted a convention, bringing around 90 people together for presentations and to talk learning opportunities for software developers and other folks looking to break into the technology ecosystem in New Mexico.
Techqueria New Mexico, the local chapter of an international organization focused on fostering opportunities for Latiné individuals in tech, has a similar mission — promoting New Mexico's technology scene and helping Latiné professionals, specifically, find good careers in tech across different industries.
So, with a mutual mission, the pair of organizations teamed up to plan a joint event later this year, with the aim of showcasing and helping grow what they see as a burgeoning tech ecosystem in New Mexico.
That event, called "TechFest," will be held at Q Station, a tech and innovation co-working space at 3225 Central Ave. NE in Albuquerque's Nob Hill district, on Oct. 11.
"This, I think, is a means of asking people who have, maybe for a long time, wished, either publicly or privately, 'Oh, I wish we had more of tech scene here in Albuquerque,'" said David Tenorio, a co-founder of Techqueria New Mexico and event co-planner. "This is their chance to come forward and support an event like this and say, 'This is how I can do it.'"
Tenorio said the event will focus on three things, primarily: helping new startups and entrepreneurs break into the New Mexico tech ecosystem, showcasing the current status of the state's tech scene and discussing the future of technology in the Land of Enchantment.
There'll be three panels — one on technological skills sought by employers, one on tech in the field of health care and a third on how New Mexico is expanding its tech ecosystem.
It'll also include a pair of breakout sessions — a tech-focused interview and résumé workshop, and a demonstration pitch for new entrepreneurs and startups.
Timothy Beck, a software developer in Albuquerque and part of the Google Developer Group in the city, is also helping plan the event. He said the developer group is leading the interview and résumé workshop at the event, while Techqueria New Mexico is spearheading the demonstration pitch.
Free professional headshots will be available, too, alongside complimentary beverages for guests. There's no cost for event admission.
Vicki Apodaca, another co-planner and co-founder of Techqueria New Mexico, said one goal of the event is coalescing in-state and out-of-state investors in Albuquerque, to meet fast-growing startups in the state. Investment attracts investment, she said.
Several organizations have come on as event sponsors, as well, Apodaca added. Those include Deep Dive Coding Bootcamps, a program out of Central New Mexico Community College, The Encantado Foundation, a firm based in Uptown Albuquerque, and Scale Up NM, a startup-focused program out of New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center, the university's entrepreneurship arm. Sponsorship opportunities are still open for the event, Apodaca added.
Hotel Zazz, a hotel about an eight-minute walk down Central Avenue from Q Station, is offering guests 15% off their stay on Oct. 11 via a promotional code provided by the organizers. Z Lounge, a cocktail bar attached to the hotel, will host the event after-party.
TechFest comes as part of a busy fall startup and tech-related event season in the Albuquerque area. Roadrunner Venture Studios, headquartered in Albuquerque's Innovation District, is set to host its second-annual Roadrunner Technology Forum in Downtown Albuquerque on Sept. 4, and Arrowhead Center is partnering with Pegasus Tech Ventures to put on the New Mexico Startup Forum at the Isleta Resort and Casino on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5.
It also lands during Hispanic Heritage Month and the week of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
"I'm actually a little bit excited about that," Apodaca said regarding TechFest's alignment with the Balloon Fiest, "because I think maybe we can get some out-of-towners and bring some broader awareness to the event."
Apodaca, Beck and Tenorio hope October's TechFest won't be the last large event the pair of organizations host.
"If this is a success, then we for sure want to do a multi-day thing next year," Apodaca told New Mexico Inno. "And coordinate with other businesses, because we know there are other great organizations out there that want that, too."
