INTERVIEW. In an effort to encourage new businesses the city selected 27 start-ups from more than 300 applicants for an incubator space. NYU Polytechnic rents out desks for $200 a month at 160 Varick St. The Institute has a $100,000 city grant to operate the incubator. Among the tenants:
NudeBar, an underwear company for women of color, and Fig Food Company, which promotes a “plant-based” diet. Metro spoke with Wayne Taitt, whose company, Clifton Charles sells men’s custom made dress shirts online.
Q: What were you doing before you got involved in men’s shirts?
A: I’m going from the sell side as an investment banker to the buy side of a portfolio manager to this.
Q: How does this space help?
A: This is a great address and a great space. It helps attract good workers. We have a Fulbright scholar from Russia. … It helps to be around other entrepreneurs.
Q: Have you found potential shirt buyers here?
A: We probably have about a dozen customers here. We’re always selling.