The internet start-up space is a diverse and burgeoning environment. Innovation is taking place that’s changing the planet. That’s awesome. Within tech, e-commerce is sometimes considered an unimaginative, utilitarian sector. That’s wrong. Marketplaces are a human tradition that dates back to our very beginning. They have been a root of our society, culture and economy for over 5,000 years. The idea that e-commerce is simply taking products and making them available for sale online, is an outdated one. Innovation in e-commerce is not only rampant, it has the power to evolve in ways that other technological spaces cannot. Specifically, we’re profitable. When amazing e-commerce companies experience rapid growth, not only do they have millions of users to show for it, they have millions of dollars. That cash not only drives economies, it drives innovation. Companies like Amazon, Zappos, Threadless and Etsy are responsible for changing the retail landscape; the way companies treat their customers, the way products are designed and the barriers to entry in product distribution. 

This is why we’re proud to be sponsoring New York’s first ever eCommerce Hack Day on August 4th-5th presented by Dwolla & Etsy at The Hatchery. If you are a developer who wishes to attend there is a special puzzle to solve. This will prove you have the technical skill to make an impact and a contribution and it’ll get you in for free! Check out the eCommerce Hack Day website to register and build something great!