People say, "If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere." For us, a Silicon Valley e-Commerce startup revolutionizing how governments buy, that saying is about to become a reality. The excitement is palpable as we prepare to unveil our company's publicity on the billboards of Times Square for the very first time. 

As part of NY Tech Week and thanks to the support of Newtopia VC, a Latin American VC firm that played a crucial role in our $3.7 million funding round, we are celebrating our very first Times Square Billboard, sharing our vision to revolutionize government procurement through pioneering G-Commerce.

Times Square, often dubbed 'The Crossroads of the World,' is an advertising mecca that has seen some of the most renowned global brands and corporations grace its monumental screens. From Coca-Cola to Apple, and from the dazzling lights of Broadway to the world-famous New Year's Eve ball drop, Times Square has been the canvas for unforgettable moments that have left indelible marks on people's hearts and minds. As GrowlTal mentioned, “It’s estimated that the roughly 230 ads that appear in Times Square get seen by up to 500,000 people per day.” 

Even though companies from all corners of the world look for their chance to take center stage in Times Square, securing a spot to display an announcement in it is indeed a challenging endeavor. While it's not impossible, the process can be highly competitive and requires careful planning and substantial financial resources. Several key factors contribute to the difficulty companies face when trying to display their announcements in Times Square. These factors include managing the high demand, contending with limited availability, and, not to mention, the substantial associated costs. For us, this incredible opportunity came through one of our investors, Newtopia.

Newtopia is a Venture Capital firm focused on the very early stages but with the ability to invest up to $500k in the Seed round and up to $1M/1.5M in the Series A as a follow-on in the top performers of the portfolio. They created the firm because they believe “there's a new generation of Latin founders that work to create a better reality, transforming Latam (and the world) by innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.” 

As the end of this year rapidly approaches, it's impossible for us not to reflect on the events that have shaped our 2023. This latest achievement is another addition to that list. After securing investment from tech giant Google and being chosen to participate in the pivotal entrepreneurial event, TechCrunch Disrupt StartUp Battlefield 200, we could have only dreamed that our journey would lead us to the towering billboards of Times Square!

Our Founder and CEO, Paola Santana, couldn't be more thrilled about this historic achievement. She shared her thoughts on what it means for our company:

“For GLASS, this opportunity transcends the spotlight; it serves as a testament to our tireless dedication to government innovation. Our presence in Times Square symbolizes our commitment to redefining the future of government procurement through Glass Commerce, our pioneering e-commerce solution. This moment is not only a source of pride for our team but also a profound milestone that reaffirms our pursuit of progress and excellence in the GovTech industry.”

Paola went on to express her confidence in GLASS' potential to achieve even greater heights, using this moment as a springboard for future success:

"Our presence in Times Square is not the end but a new beginning. We see this as a platform to showcase our company and the groundbreaking work that we're doing. We believe it will open doors to exciting opportunities and partnerships, propelling GLASS to new horizons in the government procurement world."

At GLASS, we understand that not every day a GovTech Silicon Valley startup gets the chance to grace the billboards of Times Square, a space primarily reserved for big companies and renowned artists. We are honored to become a part of this exclusive group featured on Times Square billboards.

Beyond simply becoming a part of the significant events in our year; it serves as another chance to reinforce our mission and vision of revolutionizing how governments buy goods and services from small businesses worldwide. Keep revolutionizing, Glassbreakers!

This blog was written by Gisela Montes, GovTech Community Lead at Glass.