{"id":42130,"date":"2025-05-22T14:39:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T18:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/company\/stories\/bloomberg-engineers-help-brooklyn-robotics-reach-first-worlds\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T14:39:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T18:39:10","slug":"bloomberg-engineers-help-brooklyn-robotics-reach-first-worlds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/company\/stories\/bloomberg-engineers-help-brooklyn-robotics-reach-first-worlds\/","title":{"rendered":"Bloomberg Engineers Help Brooklyn Robotics Reach FIRST Worlds"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n \n\t\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t
\n \n

Giving back and supporting others is a cornerstone of Bloomberg\u2019s culture \u2014 deeply embedded in how the firm works, collaborates, and shows up for communities. Whether through mentoring students, volunteering time, or rallying around causes that matter, Bloomberg employees are encouraged to use their skills and resources to uplift others.<\/p>\n

Read on to learn how a group of engineers came together to reinforce that spirit of generosity and turn individual contributions into collective impact.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n

\n \"\"\"\"\n \n<\/figure>\n
\n \n

Engineering the Future: Bloomberg Powers the 2025 NYC FIRST Robotics Regional<\/h2>\n

Bloomberg recently served as the lead sponsor of the 2025 FIRST<\/em> Robotics Competition’s New York City Regional<\/a>, hosted by NYC FIRST<\/a>, where more than 50 high school teams from across the tri-state area showcased their engineering skills to help protect one of the ocean\u2019s most diverse habitats.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n

\n \"\"\"\"\n \n<\/figure>\n
\n \n

Among the competitors were 21 Bloomberg-sponsored teams, including Team 333 \u2013 The Megalodons<\/a> from John Dewey High School in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

The Megalodons earned a prestigious Regional Engineering Inspiration Award, securing them a coveted spot at the FIRST<\/em> Championship<\/a> in Houston, Texas, where they competed on the global stage. But for this school team, winning was just the beginning \u2014 the real challenge was securing the funds to make the journey to Houston a reality.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n

\n \n

When Competition Ends, Community Begins<\/h2>\n

In a powerful show of solidarity, a group of Bloomberg software engineers \u2014 who spent the season mentoring teams that didn\u2019t make it to the finals \u2014 came together to help. Engineers, including Josh Greenman, Brian Maher, Joe Pokorny, Bharath Sreenivas, and ZQ Yeo, donated their Dollars For Your Hours (DFYH) contributions to support the Megalodons\u2019 journey to Houston. It\u2019s a testament to the deep sense of community and compassion that defines Bloomberg\u2019s Engineering culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrian and I have mentored the Megalodons for six and 10 years respectively, and we\u2019re always eager to support our team\u2019s journey,\u201d said Josh Greenman, FIRST<\/em> Engineering Mentor. \u201cAt Bloomberg, FIRST<\/em> mentors are a family \u2014 we rally behind the teams that make it to Champs, whether our own or not, to ensure every student gets to experience that inspiration. The growth we see in these students, sparked by curiosity and nurtured through mentorship, is what truly inspires us in return.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n

\n \"\"\"\"\n \n<\/figure>\n
\n \n

These efforts reflect a core value at Bloomberg: using technical skills and professional support to empower the next generation. More than 1,800 Bloomberg employees have volunteered nearly 30,000 hours with FIRST<\/em> programs in New York City, New Jersey, San Francisco, and London since 2004, mentoring students, designing workshops, and supporting competitions across the U.S. and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cSupporting programs like FIRST<\/em> Robotics is how we bring Bloomberg\u2019s values to life \u2014 combining skills, mentorship, and community to empower future leaders,\u201d said Vanessa Luna of Bloomberg’s Corporate Philanthropy team. \u201cWatching our engineers rally around the Megalodons is a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we collectively invest in people and purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

At this year\u2019s NYC Regional event, 13 Bloomberg engineers served as mentors, and 50 employees volunteered on site. Adam Wolf, Bloomberg\u2019s Global Head of Engineering, attended with his family, witnessing firsthand the power of STEM mentorship and the community that forms around it.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiving students the confidence to solve real-world problems, work as a team, and see themselves as future engineers and leaders is incredibly rewarding,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cI am always inspired watching our engineers mentor and support these teams, using our skills to give back and help shape what\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n

\n \"\"\"\"\n \n<\/figure>\n
\n \n

From Brooklyn to Houston: A Team Effort<\/h2>\n

For the Megalodons, reaching Houston meant more than just competing \u2014 it was a moment to represent their school, their city, and their journey. They were joined at the FIRST Championship by six other Bloomberg-sponsored teams, including:<\/p>\n