By Blake Jackson
The Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition is heating up, with 20 finalists vying for a share of $3 million in prize money.
This global competition aims to boost innovation and growth in the upstate New York agrifood sector.
Funded by Empire State Development and administered by Cornell's Center for Regional Economic Advancement, Grow-NY focuses on the Central New York, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier regions.
This year's competition drew 312 applications, including 89 from New York. The finalists represent nine U.S. states, six countries, and even have a Cornell connection. Five finalists hail from New York, and four have ties to Cornell University.
“Once again, the Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Competition has drawn top-quality startups and entrepreneurial talent from around the world,” said Hope Knight, Empire State Development president, CEO and commissioner. “Through its continued support, New York state is poised to reap the benefits of these Grow-NY innovators, who will create jobs and grow the economy in the Central New York, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions.”
The finalists will participate in a two-month accelerator program with industry mentors, pitch training, and a funded trip to the region to build networks and partnerships.
They will then present their business plans, highlighting their potential regional impact, at the Grow-NY Summit on November 6-7. The grand prize winner receives $1 million, followed by two $500,000 awards and four $250,000 prizes.
Cornell connections among finalists:
- For Bitter For Worse (Portland, Oregon) and UdderWays (Albion, New York) are part of Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, a Cornell-administered business incubator.
- EarthSense (Champaign, Illinois) makes TerraSentia robots used by Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences since 2018.
- Zordi (Oakfield, New York), co-founded by Cornell alumnus Casey Call (’12), focuses on growing crops.
- Grape.ag (Cupertino, California) participated in a student-led project at Cornell's Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.
Details of all finalists are available on the Grow-NY website. The Grow-NY Summit offers a pitch competition, educational sessions, and an expo with startup resources.
Registration costs $75 for all-access in-person attendance, $25 for students, or is free for virtual participation.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: New York, Business, Education