Empire State Development (ESD) and Cornell University's Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA) have announced the selection of 20 finalist startups for the seventh round of Grow-NY. This prestigious food and agriculture business competition awards $3 million in prize money annually, with the aim of promoting economic growth in Upstate New York. Funded through New York State's Upstate Revitalization Initiatives, including Finger Lakes Forward, CNY Rising, and Southern Tier Soaring, along with Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR), Grow-NY requires finalist startups to commit to expanding jobs, partnerships, or operations within a 22-county region in Upstate New York.
Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight highlighted the competition's ability to draw top-quality startups and global talent to Upstate New York each year. She emphasized that the Grow-NY initiative will continue to foster job creation and attract investments that propel economic growth in Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier. Similarly, State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball remarked on the competition's potential to significantly boost regional development and innovation.
This year, Grow-NY received 270 applications from startups across 41 countries, showcasing its strong international appeal. The United States was well-represented, with entries from 31 states, including 53 from New York State. Notably, 46% of the applicants include a female founder, and 74% have a founder from a culturally diverse background, indicating Grow-NY's commitment to inclusive innovation. A panel of 40 expert judges with backgrounds in various relevant fields selected the finalists, who will now advance to a 10-week business development accelerator.
The finalists include companies from diverse backgrounds and geographies, such as Brekland from Brooklyn, NY, innovating in biodegradable crop protection, and DeepAgro from Rosario, Argentina, focusing on AI solutions for agriculture. The list comprises innovative solutions like Mothership Materials from New York, transforming agricultural waste into carbon-negative feedstocks, and ThermoShade from Los Angeles, CA, reinventing outdoor cooling with innovative shade panels, among others.
Throughout the accelerator program, the finalists will access tailored mentorship from industry experts, receive business development support to strengthen their market strategies, and connect with local partners and investors. Moreover, they will gain insights into potential business locations and regional assets, alongside receiving pitch coaching for their live competition at the Grow-NY Summit.
Jenn Smith, Program Director of Grow-NY, expressed excitement over the intersection of innovation, agriculture, and economic development that the competition fosters. She emphasized the search for novel startups capable of making impactful changes to food systems and creating opportunities in Upstate NY.
This year's Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit is scheduled for November 12–13 in Canandaigua, New York. The event will bring together global innovators, investors, farmers, entrepreneurs, and researchers in the Finger Lakes to spotlight the future of food and agriculture. Attendees will witness live finalist pitches, engage in discussions addressing regional opportunities, connect with ecosystem leaders, participate in thematic networking, and attend insightful sessions from accessible experts. The summit will culminate in awarding $3 million among seven winners, including a $1 million top prize, two $500,000 awards, and four $250,000 prizes, to be announced during the closing ceremony.
Registration is now open for in-person and virtual attendance at the Grow-NY Summit at the link here.
For more information:
Grow NY
Email: [email protected]
https://www.grow-ny.com/
