Grow-NY food, beverage, and agribusiness competition seeks applicants for this year’s program

ITHACA, N.Y. — Empire State Development (ESD) has announced it is seeking applicants for the sixth year of the Grow-NY food, beverage, and agriculture businesscompetition.

Grow-NY attracts “high-growth potential” food and agriculture startups to compete for $3 million in total prize money each year, ESD said in its announcement. The program also supports 20 finalists through a business–development phase that connects them with the region’s resources.​

One finalist will receive a top prize of $1 million, two others will be awarded $500,000prizes, and four more will be given $250,000 prizes.

ESD provides funding for the program from the Upstate Revitalization Initiative’s three regional entities: CNY Rising, Finger Lakes Forward, and Southern Tier Soaring. The program is administered by Cornell’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement.

To apply, those interested can visit: www.grow-ny.com

The Grow-NY region is a 22-county area spanning Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier. Since the program’s launch in 2019, its winning startupshave created 289 new jobs and attracted millions of dollars in follow-on investment after winning the competition.

“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,” Jenn Smith, program director of Grow-NY said in the ESD announcement. “We’re looking for ambitious founders from around the world to join us.”

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on May 15. In August, up to 20 finalists will be assigned mentors and enter the business–development phase. The selected finalists will present their business plans during the Grow-NY Summit on Nov. 6-7 in Ithaca, ESD said.