Application window opens for Grow-NY competition, a $3 million food and agriculture global startup accelerator

The application window is now open for the sixth year of the Grow-NY food, beverage and agriculture business competition.

The accelerator invites high–growth potential food and agriculture startups from around the world to compete for $3 million in total prize money each year. The program supports 20 finalists through a business development phase, connecting them with regional resources through dedicated mentorship, and through introductions that may lead to potential partnerships and other strategic opportunities, according to a news release.

“Grow-NY is a unique initiative that links agribusiness innovators with experts and investors, creating entrepreneurial opportunity in upstate New York," Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said. "The sixth round of the accelerator will no doubt build on Grow-NY’s incredible success, helping to further grow the next-generation ideas of these industry pioneers and bring significant investment to the region, bolstering the future of this crucial industry in New York State and around the world.”

In August, up to 20 finalists will be assigned mentors and enter the business development phase. The selected finalists will present their business plans to a panel of expert judges during the Grow-NY Summit Nov. 6-7 in Ithaca, New York, alongside a symposium of panel conversations; keynotes; and a showcase of agencies, companies, research groups and other organizations that serve food and ag startups. The program will also include a student stage, where middle and high school students will pitch their ag and food tech focused ideas.

The Grow-NY competition is for startups with growth potential in food and agriculture. Applicants must be an established business entity in the food, beverage and/or agriculture space. That includes food and agriculture companies at every point in the agri-food value chain that are working to serve a growing population, while striving to employ sustainable, environmentally conscious and/or healthy methods.

Examples of food and agriculture startups include, but are not limited to, companies that research and design new crop varieties; offer new methods and/or tools to support the efficient growing, monitoring and harvesting of crops and livestock; offer new and/or improved methods for producing, preparing and packaging food and beverage products or ingredients; and represent high-growth opportunities for new and innovative food and beverage products or ingredients.

In addition to emphasizing innovation and scalability, the accelerator is focused on drawing more diverse leaders to the region by reaching communities that have historically been left out of the innovation economy. In 2023, 61% of the 323 applicants included a founder from an underrepresented minority group, and 42% included a female founder.

“The Grow-NY region has unparalleled natural, economic and agricultural resources that we’ve directed to helping food and ag startups grow their businesses and change our agrifood system in the process," said Grow-NY program director Jenn Smith. We’re looking for ambitious founders from around the world to join us.”

Get your questions answered at a virtual information session led by the Grow-NY team. You’ll learn tips for making your application competitive and have the chance to ask questions:

Monday, April 1, at 4 p.m. ET

Wednesday, April 17, at 11 a.m. ET.

To apply, visit growny2024.skild.com/login.

The application deadline is May 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET. For more information on how to apply, visit grow-ny.com/faqs or grow-ny.com/competition-details.

“Year after year, I’ve had the incredible honor of helping to award the innovative winners of the Grow-NY competition," said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. "New York is one of our nation’s agricultural leaders, attracting cutting-edge food, beverage and technology entrepreneurs from around the globe, and Grow-NY is a great platform to spur growth in this industry and create jobs. I encourage all eligible businesses to take part in this opportunity.”

Since the program’s launch in 2019, its winning startups have created 289 new jobs and attracted millions of dollars in follow-on investment.

The competition has received applications and interest from more than 1,500 businesses in 43 unique and 49 countries outside the U.S. over the last five years. In all, 97 startups have participated as finalists, with 35 winners sharing $15 million in startup funding.

Past award winners include:

2023:

• $1 million: Hypercell Technologies
• $500,000: Crover, SomaDetect
• $250,000: Cattle Scan, Clean Label Solution, MycoLogic, Mush Foods
  

2022:

• $1 million: ProAgni
• $500,000: Craft Cannery, Hempitecture
• $250,000: Labby, Sweet Pea Plant-Based Kitchen, Vivid Machines, Zalliant

2021:

• $1 million: Every Body Eat
• $500,000: Ascribe Bioscience, Neupeak Robotics
• $250,000: DraughtLab, EmGenisys, Nordetect, WeRadiate

2020:

• $1 million: Soos Technology
• $500,000: SoFresh, Zetifi
• $250,000: Candidus, Halomine, Leep Foods, PureSpace

2019:

• $1 million: RealEats America
• $500,000: Dropcopter, Tiliter
• $250,000: Capro-X, Combplex, The Perfect Granola, Whole Healthy Food

Grow-NY is funded by Empire State Development, New York’s chief economic development agency, and administered by Cornell University. For more information, email grow-ny@cornell.edu.

“Cornell University is proud to partner with Grow-NY to advance science-based solutions that support climate sustainability, agri-food systems and economic growth in our region and beyond," said Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Benjamin Houlton. As New York’s Land-Grant institution, we’re dedicated to sharing knowledge and empowering innovators whose vision supports a circular bioeconomy that can bring new sources of revenue to our exceptional growers, producers and communities.”