The Connect series for news media entrepreneurs is a global effort by Hacks/Hackers and Google News Lab to “seed new media ventures, grow deeper connections within the community, and attract new collaborators." 

Hacks/Hackers describes Connect as “a series of immersive experiences for journalists, engineers, designers, and business people.” The first Connect event was held in Berlin last June. More than 100 journalists and technologists gathered to focus on design thinking, attend workshops and develop new ideas.

Connect’s goal is to help local Hacks/Hackers chapter events support community innovation. “This includes partnerships with leading early-stage investors, digital agencies and academic programs, including Seedcamp (London), Grand Central Tech (NYC), Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship program (San Francisco), Alley Interactive (San Francisco, NYC), Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at CUNY (NYC) and NYC Media Lab (NYC),” Hacks/Hackers said in a press release.

The dates for the three Connect events are: 

• San Francisco, January 22-23
• London, February 5-7
• New York City, February 26-27