Empire State Development Announces Application Window Opens for Round Seven of the Grow-NY Business Competition

Applications will be accepted through May 15 for the $3 million food and agriculture global startup accelerator.

Competition is funded through Upstate Revitalization Initiatives – Finger Lakes Forward, CNY Rising and Southern Tier Soaring – regional comprehensive strategies to revitalize communities and grow the economy

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the application window is open for the seventh annual Grow-NY food, beverage and agriculture business competition. Up to 20 high-growth potential food and agriculture startups from around the world will be selected as finalists and compete for $3 million in total prize money. Through the accelerator program, finalists undergo a business development phase, receiving dedicated mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and introductions to potential regional partners. The Grow-NY region is a 22-county area spanning Central New York, the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier. 

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Grow-NY accelerator has been instrumental in attracting cutting-edge agribusiness companies from around the world and spurring private investment in the three targeted regions. The seventh round will build on the foundational success of previous competition winners whose dynamic innovations and ideas are generating economic growth throughout Upstate. “ 

Grow-NY winners must commit to making a positive, measurable impact to the targeted region’s economies through job creation, strategic partnerships and other economic development activities. One grand prize winner will receive $1 million; two others will be awarded $500,000 prizes; and four more will win $250,000 prizes. 

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The Grow-NY competition continues to be a tremendous opportunity for agricultural businesses that are at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation in all aspects of the industry, from food processing to plant health.  Now entering its seventh round, Grow-NY is already helping to support dozens of startup businesses in the Finger Lakes, Central and Southern Tier regions, who are not only providing a boost to the agricultural economy but also playing an important role in shaping the future of New York agriculture.”

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 15. The selected finalists will present their business plans to a panel of expert judges during the Grow-NY Summit on Wednesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 13 in Canandaigua, New York, alongside a symposium of panel conversations and keynotes and a showcase of service providers for food and ag startups. The program will also feature a student stage portion in which middle and high school students pitch their food and ag tech ideas. 

Since the Grow-NY program launched in 2019, its winning startups have created top-quality new jobs and attracted millions of dollars of investment. The region is home to over 40% of New York’s 30,650 farms and includes an abundance of fertile lands and fresh water. With major urban population centers such as Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca and Binghamton, the region also boasts research and development, education, and business resources that make it the ideal place for startups to take root and grow. 

In Grow-NY’s first six years, more than 1,800 businesses in 44 unique states and 95 countries outside of the United States applied for the competition. In all, 117 startups have participated as finalists, with 42 winners sharing $18 million in startup funding in addition to the invaluable mentorship and networking benefits the program delivers to finalists. 

Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Benjamin Z. Houlton said, “Cornell CALS is thrilled to continue our collaboration with Grow-NY, showcasing the crucial synergy between agriculture and economic development in our region and beyond. As New York’s Land-Grant institution, we are dedicated to nurturing innovation and disseminating knowledge that propels both agricultural progress and economic vitality. By championing forward-thinking entrepreneurs and sustainable practices, we strive to unlock new opportunities and fortify the economic resilience of our outstanding growers, producers and communities.” 

Since competing in Grow-NY, past winners have continued to raise money, expand and succeed. Hempitecture, a $500,000 winner in Year 4, is set to receive $8.42 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand industrial hemp fiber processing and manufacturing capabilities in New York. Through their partnership with Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, Year 5 winner Mush Foods has their 50CutTM burger available to over 1,600 restaurants and food service customers nationwide and is one of five startups to receive investments from Lever VC’s $50 million agrifood tech fund. PureNanoTech, a Year 6 awardee, received a $250,000 grant from the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology shortly after winning $500,000 from Grow-NY. 

Grow-NY program director Jenn Smith said, “We’re thrilled to see Grow-NY startups validated by their customers, industry leaders, and investors. We see spectacular outcomes when startups join in where Upstate NY’s agrifood, innovation, and economic development communities converge, and we’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s application pool offers the competition.” 

In addition to emphasizing innovation and scalability, the accelerator is focused on drawing leaders from communities that have historically been left out of the innovation economy to the region. In 2024, 60% of applicants included a founder from an underinvested group, and 44% included a female founder. 

Funding for Grow-NY is provided through New York State’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative’s three regional entities, CNY Rising, Finger Lakes Forward and Southern Tier Soaring, and is administered by Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement. 

To learn more about the Grow-NY competition, visit www.grow-ny.com.

To learn more about the Cornell Center for Regional Economic Advancement, visit http://crea.cornell.edu/.

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward  

Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. More information is available here. ​ 

Accelerating CNY Rising 

Today’s announcement complements “CNY Rising” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. More information is available here. 

Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring  

Today’s announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving next-generation innovation. More information is available here. 

About Empire State Development 

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.