Bodegas TV launched NYC's first in-store video network, bodegas.tv, on June 4, 2026, at the #NYTechWeek Bodega & Small Business Innovation Summit. The summit, co-hosted by the Bodega & Small Business Group (BSBG) and Cortes Global Equity Partners, convened over 100 NYC bodega owners, startup founders, investors, and technologists at Stuyvesant Yacht Club in The Bronx. Organizers presented the 'Sovereign Bodega' framework, a concept that aims to modernize the corner store's digital infrastructure without displacing the cultural identity that makes bodegas essential to their communities.
The summit featured panels exploring four pillars of bodega modernization: Media Tech & AI, FinTech, Security, and Infrastructure. These discussions centered on transforming storefronts into hyper-local media hubs through decentralized broadcasting and intelligent automation, deploying integrated financial systems and frictionless micro-payments, using AI-powered ambient systems for security, and synchronizing inventory, data, and content across distributed locations. Panelists included experts from Centro AI, Alvix Advisory, Amazon, World Mobile, AAR Tech, and Bank of America, among others.
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, 'Bodegas are institutions that are highly community focused... this is the beginning for bodegas to involve more technology.'
The Bodegas.TV network is a smart-screen video network deploying inside NYC's bodegas, delivering hyper-local media, advertising campaigns, and AI-curated content directly to the point of purchase. Targeting Latino and urban communities, the network taps into $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. This initiative represents a significant step in integrating technology into small businesses while preserving their cultural significance.
