ITHACA, N.Y. — Two Ithaca companies — Halomine and Norwhey — are among the 20 finalists announced Wednesday in the second year of the state’s $3 million Grow-NY competition.
Halomine develops anti-microbial products to ensure the safety of the food supply. Norwhey seeks to transform New York state’s yogurt whey into “delicious and sustainable” alcoholic beverages, as described in a news release from the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Grow-NY is a food innovation and agriculture technology business challenge focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier.
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The finalists also include two firms from Rochester. Leep Foods grows organic mushrooms using regenerative soil methods on “nutrient-enriched” American hardwoods for consumers and restaurants. Crystal Creek Organics converts soluble phosphorous in liquid manure into a non-soluble, revenue-generating, solid by-product.
In all, 264 startups applied from 27 countries that included Israel, Germany, and Argentina. In the U.S., 26 states were represented, including 98 entries from New York.
A panel of 30 independent judges — which included food, beverage, and agriculture businesses and academics — reviewed all the applications to determine the top 20 finalists that will pitch their business plans at the virtual Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit, scheduled Nov. 17 and 18.
Grow-NY will award a total of $3 million in prize money to seven winners. This includes a $1 million top prize, two $500,000 prizes and four $250,000 prizes.
Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement is administering the competition and Empire State Development is providing funding for the Grow-NY competition through its Upstate Revitalization Initiative connected with the three regions — CNY Rising, Finger Lakes Forward and Southern Tier Soaring.
The winner will be required to make a positive economic impact in the Grow-NY region, which features counties within Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier.
