SYRACUSE — The five finalists in this year’s 9th round of the Genius NY business accelerator will have more time to do their work before making a final pitch for funding. Companies from Utica, Syracuse, Ohio, New Jersey, and Sweden will also be the first Genius NY finalists to work on their products and projects […]
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SYRACUSE — The five finalists in this year’s 9th round of the Genius NY business accelerator will have more time to do their work before making a final pitch for funding.
Companies from Utica, Syracuse, Ohio, New Jersey, and Sweden will also be the first Genius NY finalists to work on their products and projects inside the new INSPYRE Innovation Hub (the former Tech Garden) in downtown Syracuse.
One of the companies entered the market following years of research at universities that included Syracuse University (SU), per its website.
The chosen finalists will work to build relationships in the region, develop their go-to-market plans, and spend time refining their pitches before presenting to a panel of judges at Innovation Night on May 7, 2026. The move of finals night from the fall to next spring will afford the teams “greater opportunity to become a part of the community,” ESD contended.
The finalist teams will compete for a total of $3 million in direct investment, with one grand prize of up to $1 million and four $500,000 awards. The program is the largest business accelerator for the uncrewed systems and robotics industry in the world.
Genius NY stands for Growing ENtrepreneurs & Innovators in UpState New York.
The finalists were chosen from a “highly competitive” application process that received submissions from startups from around the world, including “record interest” from U.S. companies, Empire State Development (ESD) said in an Aug. 11 announcement.
Supported by the CNY Rising Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) and administered by CenterState CEO, Genius NY brings companies to Central New York to participate in the yearlong in-residence accelerator where they receive assistance with product development, business development, as well as networking opportunities with investors and business leaders.
Genius NY participants are required to commit to operating their business in Central New York for at least one year.
“This year’s finalists bring the latest in uncrewed aerial and robotics technology right here to Central New York,” Kara Jones, director of Genius NY, said in the ESD announcement. “Our community’s robust UAS ecosystem, resources and expertise make this region the perfect launching pad for these innovative startups. We’re excited that this year’s teams are further along in their businesses, many with proven traction, active pilots or commercial deployments. These companies are building technologies that solve real-world problems across defense, infrastructure, and public safety. We’re eager to introduce these businesses to the Central New York community and begin offering them the top-of-the-line assets and resources that GENIUS NY is known for as they become the first cohort to operate out of the INSPYRE Innovation Hub.”
Since 2017, Genius NY has invested nearly $24 million in 42 businesses from around the world. In addition, Genius NY companies have raised more than $350 million in follow-on funding and have created hundreds of new jobs in New York state, ESD said.
