The Corridor Journal of Strategic Alliances Silicon Island(c) | Page 12

CORNERSTONE INTERVIEW

Peter Goldsmith
by Vivian Leber

“I believe that technology is the savior for LI and that software and
IT are the path forward for young people” says Peter Goldsmith.
“So my mission is to mentor those who create technology in the
startup world.” After 18 years at the helm of LISTnet (LI Software
& Technology Network), Goldsmith is possibly Long Island’s single
most identifiable evangelist for technology. “I want to see LI truly
become Tech Island, to be recognized as a center for excellence for
technology. But,” he adds, “we haven’t yet reached that milestone.”

LISTnet
launched
in
1997,
Goldsmith its founding CEO. He
had served on a task force to find a
new jobs engine for LI in response to
the downward spiral of the defense
industry. The group put software
on the shortlist as a growth sector
and concluded that IT should no
longer be viewed simply as an
enabler for other industries, but
rather deserved care and feeding
as a distinct economic force.
LISTnet soon became a nucleus for
collaboration in the software-tech
sector. Goldsmith recruited 1,000
sponsors and member companies
and operated two successive tech
incubators.
A self-described “good talker
and a connector,” Goldsmith
is still reaching into his virtual
Rolodex of technology, business
and academic giants to promote
synergy among the region’s tech
assets and business luminaries.

12

Goldsmith sees the buzzing
startup hubs in New York City
as instructive. Word of mouth,
money and a Mayor who
welcomed the tech community
had coalesced over the last
decade, he remarks. “I want
to create the same buzz here.
What Bloomberg did to create
a tech environment, we have
all the right people here to
make that happen.”
He
believes that government can
help by setting the stage. “We
need more people in public
service who come from the
tech community, who ran
businesses.” He notes that
both County Executives
and Congressman Steve

Israel are tech-savvy former
businessmen who frequent LISTnet
events, and he applauds some of
LI’s innovative mayors.
The buzz grew louder on Long
Island two years ago, when
LaunchPad-LI opened as a coworking space and business
accelerator, the idea being that
early stage entrepreneurs would
thrive on community energy and
mentorship in such a hub, a mini
version of NYC’s “Silicon Alley.”
Goldsmith moved his office there
and has worked closely with its
CEO Andrew Hazen.
In early
2015, LISTnet will move again into
the newest Launchpad site at Great
Neck Plaza, where Goldsmith also
will run the franchise’s operations.
“Launchpad is packed,” Goldsmith
notes. “Entrepreneurs are getting
out of their houses, as they should.”
Goldsmith recalls that Hazen
sought him out in the late 1990s.
The attorney and marketer had just
started Prime Visibility, an internet
marketing/SEO firm. Peter took
him into his incubator at Briarcliff
College. “I could see