Staff Report / May 11, 2026
The deadline is approaching for startups interested in competing in the Grow-NY business competition, a state-backed initiative aimed at supporting innovation in the food, beverage, and agriculture industries across upstate New York.
Applications for the seventh annual Grow-NY competition are due by May 15, according to organizers. The competition is open to high-growth startups focused on agriculture and food production technologies, with participants competing for a share of $3 million in prize funding.
Grow-NY is supported through New York State’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative and focuses on a 22-county region that includes the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and Central New York. The program is administered by the Cornell Center for Regional Economic Advancement.
The top prize in the competition is $1 million, while two additional businesses each receive $500,000 prizes. Four other finalists are awarded $250,000 each. In exchange for funding, winners commit to operating their business within the Grow-NY region for at least one year and making a positive economic impact in the area.
Since its launch in 2019, Grow-NY has attracted hundreds of applicants from around the world and has supported companies working in areas such as sustainable agriculture, food processing, packaging innovation, and agricultural technology. Organizers say the competition is intended to help emerging businesses scale operations while strengthening the regional food economy.
Finalists selected for the competition will participate in a business development phase during the summer before presenting live pitches at the Grow-NY Summit this fall. Winners are expected to be announced following the summit event.
