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, hosted at the Stuyvesant Yacht Club in The Bronx, brought together over 100 bodega owners, startup founders, investors, and technologists to discuss the "Sovereign Bodega" framework—a strategy for modernizing corner stores' digital infrastructure without displacing their cultural identity.
The summit, co-hosted by the Bodega & Small Business Group (BSBG) and Cortes Global Equity Partners, featured panels on media tech and 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, founder of Brand Alchemy and co-founder of DriverTV, which was acquired by NBCUniversal. Discussions centered on transforming storefronts into hyper-local media hubs, deploying integrated financial systems, AI-powered security, and synchronizing inventory across locations.
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 of Cortes Global Equity Partners noted, "I’m amazed by the level of support... this is the beginning for bodegas to involve more technology."
Bodegas TV's smart-screen network delivers hyper-local media, advertising, and AI-curated content directly to the point of purchase, targeting Latino and urban communities. The network contributes to the $45 billion in annual spending at NYC's corner stores. The launch marks the start of a planned expansion to 500 bodegas by end of 2026 and 2,000 within three years. For more information, visit bodegas.tv.
