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 discuss the "Sovereign Bodega" framework—modernizing the corner store's digital infrastructure without displacing its cultural identity.
Co-hosted by the Bodega & Small Business Group (BSBG) and Cortes Global Equity Partners, the summit featured panels on four pillars of bodega modernization: Media Tech & AI, FinTech, Security, and Infrastructure. These sessions aimed to transform storefronts into hyper-local media hubs, deploy integrated financial systems, implement AI-powered security, and synchronize inventory and data across locations.
Panelists included Andre Ureña, co-founder and chairman of Centro AI; Milbert Kiggundu-Bentham, co-founder and CEO of Alvix Advisory and former Bank of America executive; Samira O., founder of Building Experimental AI Products with experience at Amazon and Scale AI; Charlie Barnet, co-founder of World Mobile; Arabel Alva Rosales, president and CEO of AAR Tech; Jean Michael Lif, co-founder of RDÉ; Riya Goel, investment banker at Bank of America and founder of Barnard Investment Group; and Steve Yanovsky, founder of Brand Alchemy and former digital strategist for Apple, ESPN, and Microsoft Xbox.
Bodegas TV is a smart-screen video network deploying inside NYC's bodegas, delivering hyper-local media, advertising campaigns, and AI-curated content directly at the point of purchase. The network targets Latino and urban communities, which contribute 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.
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 and Bodega and Small Business 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, "Bodegas are institutions that are highly community focused... People really love and care about bodegas, this is the beginning for bodegas to involve more technology."
For business leaders, this initiative represents a significant shift in how small retailers can leverage technology to compete with larger chains while maintaining their community roots. The integration of AI, fintech, and media networks could unlock new revenue streams for bodega owners, who often operate on thin margins. The "Sovereign Bodega" framework may serve as a model for other urban small businesses seeking modernization without cultural erasure.
More information about the network and its expansion plans can be found at bodegas.tv.
