SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Empire State Development (ESD) has announced the five teams selected to take part in the 8th round of the Genius NY business accelerator at the Syracuse Tech Garden. Genius NY is short for Growing ENtrepreneurs & Innovators in UpState New York. The finalists include Aerialoop of Miami, Florida; Aviant of Oslo, Norway; […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Empire State Development (ESD) has announced the five teams selected to take part in the 8th round of the Genius NY business accelerator at the Syracuse Tech Garden. Genius NY is short for Growing ENtrepreneurs & Innovators in UpState New York. The finalists include Aerialoop of Miami, Florida; Aviant of Oslo, Norway; Crover of Edinburg, Scotland; Flyhound of New York City; and INVOLI of Lausanne, Switzerland. The five finalists include teams from around the world that are advancing both software and hardware applications. Two of the finalists are minority owned, and one is woman co-founded. They were selected from a “highly competitive” pool of applicants, ESD said. The teams will compete for $3 million in direct investment, with one grand prize of up to $1 million and four $500,000 awards. ESD describes the program as the “largest business accelerator for the uncrewed systems industry in the world.” Genius NY participants are required to commit to operating their business in Central New York for at least one year. Supported by the CNY Rising Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) and administered by CenterState CEO, the selected companies will participate in the yearlong program at the Syracuse Tech Garden.
About the finalists In its announcement, ESD provided brief descriptions about each of the finalists. Aerialoop’s drones streamline deliveries by creating efficient middle-mile networks between warehouses and stores, “enabling faster and more affordable shipping.” Aviant leverages advanced drone technology to provide autonomous last-mile delivery solutions, “enhancing efficiency and reliability in logistics.” Its system offers an on-demand delivery service, “reducing delivery times and costs while improving customer satisfaction.” Crover develops uncrewed vehicles/systems that can “swim” through grains and powders to monitor and manage grain storage more accurately, helping operators reduce losses, improve quality and ensure better safety. Flyhound helps public-safety agencies save lives by locating and identifying people fast in emergencies using their existing drone. INVOLI provides surveillance products for low-altitude airspace, enhancing safety and operational efficiency for drone operators, small airports and infrastructure managers.