Grow-NY competition opens applications for seventh year

Empire State Development has announced that applications are now open for the seventh annual Grow-NY food, beverage, and agriculture business competition.

Up to 20 high-growth food and agriculture startups from around the world will compete for $3 million in prize money. Finalists will participate in an accelerator program, receiving mentorship and networking opportunities with regional partners. The competition focuses on a 22-county region spanning Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier.

“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,” said Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight. “The seventh round will build on the foundational success of previous competition winners whose dynamic innovations and ideas are generating economic growth throughout Upstate.”

Winners must demonstrate a positive impact on the regional economy through job creation, strategic partnerships, and economic development initiatives. The top prize is $1 million, followed by two $500,000 awards and four $250,000 prizes.

“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,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “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.”

Applications are due by 5 p.m. ET May 15. Finalists will present their business plans to a panel of judges during the Grow-NY Summit on November 12 and 13 in Canandaigua, New York. The event will include panel discussions, keynote speeches, and a student pitch competition.

Since its launch in 2019, Grow-NY has helped winning startups attract investment and create jobs. The region, home to over 40 percent of New York’s farms, offers fertile land, fresh water, and access to major urban centers. Over the first six years, more than 1,800 businesses from 44 states and 95 countries have applied, with 42 winners sharing $18 million in funding.

Past winners have seen significant success. Year 4 winner Hempitecture secured $8.42 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, while Year 5 winner Mush Foods partnered with Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors to distribute their 50CutTM burger nationwide. Year 6 awardee PureNanoTech received a $250,000 grant from the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology after winning $500,000 from Grow-NY.

In 2024, 60 percent of applicants included a founder from an underinvested group, and 44 percent had a female founder. Grow-NY is funded through New York State’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative and administered by Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement.