Grow-NY Food and Agribusiness Contest: Finalists Announced

The Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition is a global competition that aims to enhance the emerging food, beverage, and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier regions of upstate New York. The competition is funded by Empire State Development and administered by Cornell's Center for Regional Economic Advancement.

Twenty finalists were selected from more than 320 applicants, including 81 entries from New York state. The advancing startups hail from seven different states and four countries, with seven finalists from New York.

Over the next two months, the finalists will receive business development support and one-on-one mentorship from industry experts. They will then pitch their business plans to a live audience at the Grow-NY Summit in November. One grand prize winner will receive $1 million, two will be awarded $500,000 and four will take home $250,000.

More than half of this year's finalists have ties to the Cornell community, including GR8PE by Stil-bène, a Geneva, New York-based startup co-founded by Elad Tako, associate professor of food science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Other finalists that are members of the Center of Excellence include:

• Blue Cove Fish (New York City) – a low-volume craft seafood cannery that partners with sustainable seafood suppliers to contribute to the development of local aquaculture;
• Clean Label Solution (Ithaca) – a technology that improves protein and fat digestibility and reduces carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption in the production of soy-based animal feeds;
• KEHO (New York City) – manufactures plant-based snack bars;
• We Are the New Farmers (New York City) – produces fresh, frozen, farm-grown spirulina cubes; and
• Wisely (Wilmington, North Carolina) – a smart food storage system that provides personalized insights and reduces waste.

Information about all the finalists can be found on the Grow-NY website.

This year's Grow-NY Summit will feature a pitch competition, educational symposium, and Ecosystem Expo with services for startups. All-access registration is $65, $25 for students, and virtual registration is free.

Photo Credit: Grow NY