Is Newark The Next Silicon Valley?

ByAya Spencer for Forbes.com, Mar 31, 2025, 08:00am EDT

Newark Demo Day, hosted by Audible, Newark Alliance, New Jersey Innovation Institute and Lair East Labs. Audible

When you think of Newark, what comes to mind? Often called the "Gateway City" for its role as a major transportation hub, Newark has a rich history as an industrial powerhouse. But like many cities, it’s faced its share of challenges, including a reputation tied to crime. That image, however, hasn’t always reflected its potential.

If you had asked a New York entrepreneur ten years ago whether they’d consider moving to Newark, the response would likely have been a firm "no." Many founders would rather squeeze into a tiny Brooklyn apartment with three roommates than cross the Hudson. But that outdated bias is fading fast, as Newark quietly establishes itself as a rising tech hub on the East Coast.

Champions of Innovation: Audible and NJII

Newark’s tech revival isn’t just an idea — it’s already happening. Audible, the Amazon-owned audiobook giant, set up its headquarters here in 2007. And they didn’t just bring jobs. They’ve been an active force in the city’s revitalization…