My biggest challenge in NYC has been the availability of dependable salaries for coders and designers from non-startups, especially from banking and finance. Start-up equity isn't as valuable here to people who can get great pay from a bank or hedge fund.

I see saying NYC needs some extremely successful startups, more engineers, or more product designers as well intentioned, but it's like saying mice need more bells on cats. Everybody agrees, but no one knows how to make it happen.

Also, Parsons has a design and technology program like NYU's ITP. I've taught at both and they're both excellent. There may be other programs. I've worked with two Cooper Union alumni (one artist-turned-graphic-designer and one engineer) and both were among the best people I've worked with.