March 8 marks International Women’s Day, and GENIUS NY has a lot of incredible women to recognize. International Women’s Day serves as a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity and fostering a more inclusive world.

In recent years, the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) industry has experienced exponential growth, revolutionizing various sectors from agriculture to healthcare. Even in just seven years with GENIUS NY, the program has seen a 50% increase in applications each year. However, despite this rapid expansion, the industry continues to face a significant gender gap.

According to a report by the Aerospace Industries Association, women represent only about 10-15% of the aerospace workforce, including the UAS sector. On top of this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that only 5% of certified drone pilots in the United States are women.

Encouraging and promoting the involvement of women in this field is not only a matter of equality but also a strategic imperative for fostering innovation, diversity, and sustainable growth.

The GENIUS NY accelerator boasts strong leadership from women like Kara Jones, Director of GENIUS NY, who has been instrumental since the program’s inception in 2017. “We take pride in the contributions of all women on the GENIUS NY staff. Additionally, we’re committed to fostering greater diversity across the board, including among our applicants, selected teams, mentors, and advisors,” said Jones, “I’ve witnessed how women bring unique perspectives and talents to the UAS space and it’s time to acknowledge that women are undeniably badass and belong here.”

Closing the gender gap in the UAS and drone industry requires concerted efforts from industry stakeholders, policymakers, educational institutions, and the broader community.

Jennifer Sertl, Marketing Director at Circle Optics, a GENIUS NY portfolio company, was asked what steps she thinks organizations can take to create more inclusive and supportive environments for women in UAS. “At Circle Optics, I worked with our COO Ian Gauger to create a behavioral brand: innovation, synergy and know-how that outlines our core values and allows us to interview people through a filter that is based on ideology. We hope this process allows us to attract and retain the best technical engineers and minimize unconscious cognitive bias.

Organizations like Women and Drones and the impactful efforts of figures like DroneGirl cannot be overlooked. Their tireless advocacy, support, and representation play a crucial role in amplifying the voices and visibility of women in the UAS industry. Their work not only inspires but also paves the way for greater gender diversity and inclusivity.

Elise Hereth, Operations Supervisor at NUAIR says, “I’m retired from the Air Force and was hired by NUAIR because of my technical background as an operator and leader using radar/sensor systems. When I signed up for the USAF in the 80’s it was even more rare for women.” Hereth goes on to say, “I’d advise women of any age, to pursue what interests them, learn as much as you can, and make yourself a valuable team member. Tech fields are a great place for women to be and I’ve been able to be part of professional inclusive teams, both in and out of the military. UAS and aviation is underrepresented by women who have tremendous opportunities to learn and to lead.”

GENIUS NY is committed to fostering diversity by actively seeking and welcoming startup teams led by women to apply. With applications now open, prioritizing the recruitment of women-led teams stands as one of our foremost objectives. To learn more and apply to GENIUS NY click here. You can also refer a women-led team by clicking here.

By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, promoting STEM education for girls, and actively recruiting and retaining women in the workforce, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for the industry as a whole.

Now, let’s shine a spotlight on some of the outstanding women contributing to and working in the UAS industry. If you weren’t mentioned this time, know that we recognize and stand behind you. A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible women out there!

GENIUS NY Companies:
Jennifer Sertl – Marketing Director, Circle Optics
Mariah Murray – VP of Operations, AVSS
Irina Statch – Supply Chain Manager, AVSS
Oana Andreea Jinga – Cofounder, Dexory
Izabela Potasz – Chief of Staff, VUMO AI
Emily Limpert – Director of Business Development, Aloft | Part 107 Pilot
Alicia Titus – Software Engineer, ResilienX
Maria Fernanda Jiménez – Marketing Intern, VOTIX

GENIUS NY Staff:
Kara Jones – Director
Rebecca Title-Aretsky – Marketing and Events Coordinator
Becca Breeden – Entrepreneurial Manager
Beverly Mack – Operations Manager

Partners at NUAIR:
Melinda Marion – Director Business Development, NUAIR |Private Pilot and Part 107 Pilot
Megan Crout– Director of Marketing, NUAIR | Part 107 Pilot
Emily DeMarche – Chief Financial Officer, NUAIR
Melanie Kalisz – Revenue Life Cycle Manager, NUAIR
Elise Hereth – Operations Supervisor, NUAIR
Judy Van Wie – Director of Finance
Kristina Williams – Business Operations Manager

GENIUS NY Evaluators & Finals Judges:
Marcia Mitchell – New York Ventures
Maria Tranquilli – Southwest Mission Acceleration Center (MAC)
Gretchen Wilson – Commercial Drone Alliance
Eszter Kovacs – Murzilli Consulting

GENIUS NY VC Partners:
Charlotte Japp – Global Head of Platform, ff Venture Capital
Nandini Agarwal – Senior Associate, ff Venture Capital
Olivia Goldstein – CEO, Upstate Venture Connect
Noa Simons – President and CEO, Upstate Capital Association of New York
Jennifer Tegan – President, NY Ventures
Elizabeth Reynolds – Starburst Aerospace

Thank you to Empire State Development for funding GENIUS NY:
Governor Hochul, Governor, New York State
Hope Knight, Commissioner, Empire State Development

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The World’s Largest Business Accelerator for Uncrewed Systems is Accepting Applications through May 15

GENIUS NY is Supported by “CNY Rising” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that GENIUS NY – the world’s largest business accelerator focused on uncrewed aerial systems – is now accepting applications for the eighth round of the year-long program. The in-residence accelerator, operated by CenterState CEO in downtown Syracuse, will invest more than $3 million in five finalist companies, including a $1 million grand prize. The program also offers business resources, programming, mentorship and networking opportunities to assist innovative startups with the tools they need to take advantage of emerging opportunities. GENIUS NY participants are required to operate their business in Central New York for at least one year. The program is funded through the CNY Rising Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI), the region’s award-winning strategic plan to generate robust economic growth and community development.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The GENIUS NY accelerator is fueling New York State’s thriving uncrewed aerial systems industry. This renowned program is attracting forward-thinking innovators from around the world to Central New York and ensuring that their pioneering ideas take flight thanks to the area’s unmatched UAS assets and infrastructure.”

Applications are being accepted at geniusny.com through May 15, 2024, from tech startups focused on uncrewed aerial systems, automation, A.I. and advanced air mobility (AAM). Subsets may include precision and remote sensing, smart city applications, data collection and analytics, guidance or communication systems, and sensors, among other technological categories.

“We’re looking for startups interested in pushing the bounds of current UAS technologies in Central New York.” said Kara Jones, director of GENIUS NY. “The region’s growing innovation ecosystem offers early-stage companies a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with industry leaders while advancing their own technologies. The targeted resources awarded to GENIUS NY companies enable them to scale faster, generate revenue sooner, and create jobs for the local economy.”

Applications are evaluated by a panel of judges, and semi-finalists will be selected to present demos and pitches this summer. Five companies will advance to participate in the program, which is structured as a unique programmed incubator and accelerator experience. The selected teams will enter the in-person accelerator at CenterState CEO’s The Tech Garden later this summer, where they will be immersed in the incubator’s events, resource pool, and mentoring. Applicants should be prepared to relocate to Central New York to participate in the program starting in August 2024.

To date, the program has attracted more than 37 startups to Central New York since its inception in 2017. To date, nearly $21 million has been invested in the innovative teams, which have gone on to raise more than $100 million in venture capital.

Round seven winner, blueflite received the top prize of $1 million in October 2023. The company has since seen significant growth, hired local staff in Syracuse and partnered with past GENIUS NY team AVSS to integrate parachute recovery systems in their drones.

Read the full press release here.

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Three million dollars in a single night. New York state made that direct investment in the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) economy last week for the seventh time. Five competing UAS companies pitched live to a crowd of hundreds of people and a panel of judges, making the case that their technology is industry-disrupting and that Syracuse and Central New York is the place to be.

This is the world’s largest UAS accelerator, GENIUS NY. Based in Syracuse and administered by CenterState CEO, GENIUS NY is keystone in New York state’s innovation ecosystem strategy. Now in its seventh round, the accelerator has helped establish New York state as a global leader in the UAS space, with the hub of this world-leading innovation along the Central New York and Mohawk Valley corridor.

This year’s grand prize winner, blueflite, offers a drone-based logistics platform. Its patented, unique, and all-electrical drone design has vertical take-off and landing capabilities, advanced maneuverability, and is built to meet the rigorous demands of commercial operations.

“In Syracuse, we’ve discovered a unique ecosystem perfectly suited for blueflite’s ambitions,” said blueflite cofounder Frank Noppel. “Firstly, we’ve found opportunity to collaborate with top-tier manufacturing facilities for batch production using advanced 3D printing technology while adhering to the most stringent aerospace standards. Secondly, Syracuse provides access to the world’s most advanced drone test facility, which is required for our ongoing drone production and R&D efforts. Lastly, the city’s thriving community of drone tech companies that we can integrate onto our drone platform makes it one of the most competitive drone solutions out there. Together, these elements make Syracuse the ideal fit for blueflite.”

While $1 million is the grand prize, it’s not the only prize. The GENIUS NY program, administered by CenterState CEO and funded by Empire State Development, New York State’s primary economic development entity, distributes a total of $3 million across the five teams. The four other finalists each received a $500,000 investment:

• Aloft provides software solutions for individual aircraft and full fleet management to make drone operation safer and more valuable.
• Greenjets creates electric propulsors that make drones safer, quieter and more sustainable.
• Voltela provides software that ensures a reliable and consistent communication network for uncrewed aerial systems.
• VOTIX supplies a hardware-agnostic platform that enables drone automation, orchestration and remote operation.

“Uncrewed systems are the future of aviation, with far reaching applications that touch so many other industries and aspects of our daily lives,” said Kara Jones, CenterState CEO director of GENIUS NY. “From autonomous flights for travel to improving how we transport goods, to improving processes around data collection and inspections, to health care, defense and more – UAS is transforming how we live and work. These GENIUS NY teams are at the leading edge of their technologies and have demonstrated their strong potential for growth and success. As market demands evolve and technology advances, these and other UAS companies have access to the most robust concentration of firms, infrastructure and investments anywhere in the country, here in New York.”

The partnership by the State of New York and its investment in the UAS innovation ecosystem is truly unique. The state has made major investments in the uncrewed aircraft systems industry, including an initial investment of $35 million to develop a 50-mile, UAS flight traffic management corridor; $33 million through seven rounds of GENIUS NY competition, including $21 million in direct investment in 37 GENIUS NY teams, and $16.6 million in ongoing investments for the expansion of CenterState CEO’s business incubator in downtown Syracuse to help grow its UAS industry efforts.

This public sector support has helped make New York state a leader in the work being done to safely integrate drones into the national airspace and enable the next phase of Advanced Air Mobility operations. With its concentration of unique, innovative and complimentary businesses all choosing it as a base of their operations, the Central New York region cements itself as the place to move the UAS industry forward. It’s an environment conducive to collaboration and synergy, especially among GENIUS NY teams.

GENIUS NY’s most recent winner blueflite has already found partners in past GENIUS NY finalists. They’re working with Wonder Robotics to launch delivery drones and partnered with AVSS for innovation and drone safety. By pooling their expertise, resources, and technology, these startups are driving progress in UAS technology, safety, and operational efficiency. New York State, with its commitment to fostering UAS innovation, serves as an ideal incubator for these collaborative endeavors. GENIUS NY provides a nurturing environment where startups can leverage their collective talents and propel the UAS industry to new heights, ultimately shaping the future of autonomous aerial systems.

Josh Ziering, Aloft founder and winner of $500,000 said, “It’s an exciting time to be in Syracuse. It’s why we’re moving the whole company here. If we wanted to do it, now’s the time, and if we wanted to be in a certain place Syracuse is the spot. We’re looking forward to growing our team here and ultimately building out. Syracuse is the tip of the spear for Aloft.”

To learn more about GENIUS NY and the investments it’s made in UAS startups, visit www.geniusny.com. To read Governor Hochul’s official press release, click here.

About GENIUS NY: GENIUS NY is the world’s largest business accelerator program focused on uncrewed aerial systems, robotics and IoT. In addition to those direct investments, the program offers incubator space, company resources, programming, business connections and mentoring to finalists. Participants are required to operate their business in Central New York for at least one year.

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Blueflite Wins GENIUS NY $1 Million Grand Prize; Four Other Finalists Receive $500,000 Investments as Part of $3 Million Awarded to Innovative Companies that Will Now Operate in Syracuse

Investment Complements “CNY Rising” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

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Sept. 2023, Syracuse, NY – ff Venture Capital (ffVC) announced today the opening of its first Upstate New York office within CenterState CEO’s The Tech Garden in downtown Syracuse, the location’s first in-residence investor. The Tech Garden is home to GENIUS NY, the world’s largest business accelerator for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), operated by CenterState CEO. To date, ffVC has invested in two GENIUS NY portfolio companies: CivRobotics and CarScanner. Almost half of companies in GENIUS NY have gone on to raise follow-on funding from venture capitalists, with more expected. Each cohort year, companies are fundraising and seeking follow-on funding, making this partnership crucial for the continued growth and survival of startups. Within the new partnership, ffVC will have an office at The Tech Garden and be available to meet with GENIUS NY and The Tech Garden members, bringing potential new deal flow opportunities to the region.

“This partnership and the growth of venture capital and early-stage investment in the region is another sign of the strength of Central New York’s innovation ecosystem,” said Kara Jones, director of GENIUS NY. “This valuable new investment tool is part of growing set of resources that will help entrepreneurs thrive here in our region.”

ffVC is an international venture capital firm with offices and funds in the United States and Europe. Founded in 2008, the firm has been empowering startup founders with funding and resources to launch transformative technologies that impact the lives of millions. Since its first investment in the drone space in 2014, ffVC has been an active investor in the automation industry, including such market leaders as Burro, Cambrian Robotics, Digital Twin, Lynq, Manna, PlusOne Robotics, SkyCatch, and Zenith Aerospace.

“This partnership offers ffVC a unique opportunity to be actively engaged with some of the best mechatronic startups in the world, working with them to turn their products into thriving companies generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue,” states Oliver Mitchell, Partner at ffVC. “Central New York is a critical environment for launching uncrewed systems and offers a unique landing pad for international founders entering the United States. We are excited to deepen our efforts in the Upstate region, expanding our portfolio and presence in the fields of autonomy and mobility.” Mitchell recently joined ffVC’s partnership to increase the firm’s focus in the automation sector and sits on the boards of portfolio companies Civ Robotics and Cambrian Robotics. He has a track record as a serial entrepreneur and angel investor with recent exits in Ekso Bionics (NASDAQ:EKSO), NovoCure (NASDAQ:NVCR), and TripleLift.

To date, GENIUS NY has invested more than $21 million in 36 startups, which have gone on to raise more than $100 million in follow-on funding, adding more than 80 new local jobs from teams. Finalists for the program’s seventh cohort are currently participating in the accelerator, and will compete for $3 million in direct investment, with one grand prize of up to $1 million and four $500,000 awards, at GENIUS NY Pitch Finals, on Oct. 4, 2023.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The decision by ff Venture Capital to open an office at The Tech Garden, home to the New York State-supported GENIUS NY accelerator, reflects the global success of this uncrewed aerial systems competition and the attention and private investment it’s attracting based on all that the Central New York region has to offer.”

Additionally, ffVC and GENIUS NY plan to continue to hold its annual Robotics and Drone Summit, with the goal of exploring how drones and robotics are impacting the construction, agricultural, transportation, supply chain, energy, aeronautics, consumer, and defense industries. Last year, the summit was held in the fall in New York City and attracted more than 300 attendees including mechatronic entrepreneurs from across the world, leading investors, corporate innovation leaders, and curious customers.

To learn more about GENIUS NY visit, www.geniusny.com. To learn more about ffVC visit, www.ffvc.com.

About GENIUS NY – GENIUS NY is the world’s largest business accelerator program focused on uncrewed systems. The program is operated by CenterState CEO and housed at The Tech Garden in Central New York, and is funded by New York State’s Empire State Development. In addition to the $1 million grand prize and four $500,000 investments, the program also offers resources, programming, and mentoring, making it among the largest competitions of its kind across the globe. More information is available here.

About ffVC – ff Venture Capital (ffVC) is an early-stage venture firm focused on global opportunities, with 90+ active portfolio companies across emerging technology sectors, including Applied AI, FinTech, Insurtech, Drones, and Robotics. Notable investments include: Addepar, Cornerstone OnDemand, Clarity Money (acquired by: Goldman Sachs), Movable Ink, Omaze, Owlet (NYSE:OWLT), Plated (Albertsons), Transactis (MasterCard), Rescale, and Socure. Founded in 2008, ffVC has offices in New York and Warsaw.

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Murzilli Consulting and GENIUS NY are proud to announce a new partnership that will provide start-up participants in the GENIUS NY drone accelerator program and portfolio with Murzilli Consulting in-house resources, to help them navigate complex regulatory frameworks and accelerate their path to revenue generation.

GENIUS NY was founded in 2017 to support drone companies that were struggling to go to market. As the largest uncrewed aerial systems and robotics accelerator program, their organization continually invests in start-ups through funding, networking, marketing, sales and recruiting efforts. Over the past 6 years, they’ve invested $18 million in 32 companies across 8 countries, making it one of the largest accelerator programs in the world.

The new agreement between Murzilli Consulting and GENIUS NY allows both organizations to support and co-create the development of the drone industry by supporting the growth of the most promising start-ups. While GENIUS NY will go through a rigorous vetting process to establish viable business models among applicants while providing nearly end-to-end support, Murzilli Consulting will supplement these efforts through regulatory and strategic consulting services.

This arrangement will allow start-ups in the GENIUS NY portfolio to receive support from the Murzilli Consulting team. Each support package will be carefully curated to meet the company’s specific needs, significantly enhancing the existing support offered by the accelerator program. The Murzilli Consulting team has also already worked with a number of start-ups that have gone through the GENIUS NY accelerator program, including Wonder Robotics, ResilienX, AVSS and Fusion Engineering.

Lorenzo Murzilli commented that “this partnership has the potential to give start-ups the resources they need to make a real impact on the drone industry and compete with large players backed by powerful parent companies”.

Kara Jones, Director of GENIUS NY said, “we are very excited by this partnership with Murzili Consulting to support our portfolio of companies and help drive growth with access to resources that these businesses may not have had otherwise.”

Murzilli Consulting is a digital aviation consultancy firm founded in 2020 by Lorenzo Murzilli and based in Switzerland, with further subsidiaries in Germany, Hungary, the United Kingdom and Sweden. The organization is committed to helping clients succeed with their regulation and compliance strategies. They do this by acting as a digital outsourced regulatory department and working with clients to support them in establishing a high-performing internal regulatory function. Their primary focus is on emerging technologies in the sectors of crewed and uncrewed aviation, advanced air mobility and U-space (including all derivative focuses).

Their team offers governments and private enterprises alike the opportunity to establish a high-performing internal regulatory function capable of tackling emerging technologies. Murzilli Consulting also can develop and implement regulatory strategies and roadmaps as well as execute specific projects such as UAS and USSP certification, design verification, SORA approvals and CE marking, among other services. Our customer base is unrivalled in the consulting industry and reflects the trust that leading drone organizations have in our services.

GENIUS NY is the world’s largest business accelerator competition for uncrewed systems, IoT and big data startups. The accelerator is funded by Empire State Development and housed at The Tech Garden, CenterState CEO‘s incubator in downtown Syracuse, NY.

Five finalists are selected from a competitive pool of submissions from across the globe each year. The accelerator provides startups all the tools they need for success, including stipends and award money, resources, programming, mentors and connections.

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Selected Teams from Around the World Will Compete for a Total of $3 Million in Investments and Participate in Yearlong UAS Accelerator in CNY

 Program is supported by “CNY Rising” the region’s comprehensive strategy to revitalize the community and grow the economy

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the five teams selected to take part in round seven of the innovative GENIUS NY business accelerator program. Supported by the CNY Rising Upstate Revitalization Initiative and administered by CenterState CEO and The Tech Garden in downtown Syracuse, these startup, uncrewed systems industry companies will participate in a yearlong program. The five finalists include teams with international and New York state representation and were selected from a pool of more than 450 submissions. They will compete for $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 UAS industry in the world. GENIUS NY participants are required to commit to operating their business in Central New York for at least one year.

“The GENIUS NY accelerator has helped to establish Central New York as a hub for uncrewed aerial systems by attracting the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs,” said, Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “New York State’s ongoing UAS investment will ensure that continued industry leadership, bringing top-quality jobs and growth to the region and beyond.”

Starting July 12, the five selected companies will move into downtown Syracuse where they will begin to refine work on their business cases, which they present at the Pitch Finals event on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.

Kara Jones, director of GENIUS NY, said, “This round’s teams bring an exciting new mix of technologies being developed in the uncrewed systems space,” said Kara Jones, director of GENIUS NY. “We are excited for their arrival in Central New York in just a few short weeks, and to work with them over the coming year as they connect with local businesses and partners on strategic opportunities for collaboration and growth. Our goal is to not only support startups so they succeed in the UAS industry, but so that they can do so right here in our region, well after their participation in the program.”

The five selected finalists are:

 Aloft (Silver Spring, Maryland), an FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier (USS) for LAANC, powering the vast majority of recreational and commercial airspace authorizations. Aloft also has an exclusive public-private partnership with the FAA to power B4FULY. Through state-of-the-art technologies and sophisticated data services, Aloft aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of drone operations, facilitating their integration into the National Airspace System.

Blueflite (Detroit, Michigan), a company designing and manufacturing a logistics drone platform to solve the modern-day challenges in the logistics industry. Blueflite’s drones offer faster and greener deliveries at a lower cost compared to conventional transport. The unique and patent pending tiltrotor design features vectored thrust giving it unrivaled maneuverability and the ability to operate under challenging conditions. The digital element of the platform allows for integration into an all-automated supply chain for high-speed deliveries at scale.

Greenjets (Milton Keynes, UK) Greenjets, which is building next generation electric propulsion systems for advanced air mobility. Their ducted fan propulsion technology is the quietest, safest and most efficient of its class. The Greenjets team has over 300 years of deep domain knowledge carried over from Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems & Formula 1. Learnings from these experiences are reflected in a unique design & manufacturing methodology, which allows production of propulsion systems at an unrivalled pace.

Voltela (Brooklyn, NY) provides connectivity assurance for commercial drones. Remote pilots must rely on reliable Command and Control connections. The mobile network was not built for aerial connectivity and changing the infrastructure is not viable. Voltela’s patented software operates with off-the-shelf modems enabling prioritized connections with guaranteed low latency via any mobile network. Voltela’s superior connectivity performance achieves aviation-grade reliability levels and is the foundation for building the Aerial Virtual Network Operator.

Votix (Weston, Florida) is an American Enterprise Drone Orchestration and Automation platform and the first universal (hardware-agnostic) drone operating system for commercial operations at scale. VOTIX integrates the entire drone ecosystem, ensuring high-quality results, and safe and robust operations, guaranteeing compliance with regulators and stakeholders, creating synergies within the industry’s ecosystem, reducing process time, and generating superior intelligence. VOTIX supports VLOS/EVLOS while enabling BVLOS operations, autonomous flights, real-time cloud video streaming and AI, precision landing, drone-in-a-box integration, and much more!

Throughout the program teams will have access to free workspace at The Tech Garden, experts and other founders specific to their industry, executive advisors, recruiting, marketing and fundraising support, programming and events, the opportunity to apply for the UAS Job Fund, as well as other perks like access to platforms such as PitchBook,  and offer companies AWS credits. The goal is to encourage all participants to put down roots and stay in the region following the conclusion of the program.

Rob Simpson, president of CenterState CEO, said, “Each year, the strength of our applicant pool and the finalist teams – from across the country and globe – continue to speak to the strength of the GENIUS NY program and that Central New York is the single best place to grow your UAS company,” said Robert Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. “We are excited to welcome this new cohort to see their innovative technologies and platforms accelerate through the GENIUS NY program, and our ecosystem of partners and resources.”

Since 2017, GENIUS NY has invested $18 million in 32 companies from around the world and brought them to Central New York to participate in the yearlong in-residence accelerator where they receive assistance with product development, business development, and networking opportunities with investors and business leaders. Participants are also integrated into the larger regional effort to grow uncrewed aerial systems in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley and will have access to world-leading infrastructure and testing assets. Participants also have opportunities to connect with investors for follow on funding. Since 2017, GENIUS NY companies have raised more than $100 million in follow-on funding and have created over 80 jobs in New York.

Accelerating CNY Rising
Today’s announcement complements “CNY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. More information is available here.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

Read the official Press Release on the Empire State Development website: Empire State Development Announces Five Finalists Selected for Round Seven of Genius NY Competition

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Eleven companies have been named semi–finalists in GENIUS NY seventh round. GENIUS NY remains one the largest and most well known accelerators for uncrewed aerial systems in the world. The semi-finalists will now compete to see which five are selected to the program at CenterState CEO’s The Tech Garden in Syracuse, NY. The companies, which are developing innovations in the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and robotics industries, were selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 450 submissions from over 50 countries. Of the eleven semi–finalists, four are international teams representing Canada, Israel, and United Kingdom. Four teams are from New York state. 

2023 Semi-Finalists:
Aloft – Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
Avol Aerospace – Brooklyn, New York, USA
Blueflite – Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan, USA
FlightOps – Herzelia Pituch, Israel
Flyhound – New York, New York, USA
Greenjets – Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Landing Zones – Ontario, Canada
T2D2 – New York, New York, USA
Vizgard – London, United Kingdom
Voltela – Brooklyn, New York, USA
Votix – Weston, Florida, USA

Semi–finalists must present their technologies and business plans to a panel of executive advisers. Advisers are looking for companies that will stay in the Central New York area; participate in and contribute to the region’s growing UAS ecosystem; will scale and be successful; and represent diversity of technology focus and team makeup. Finalists will be announced in late June/early July. In July, the five finalists will arrive in Central New York to begin the program. 

This year’s Pitch Finals will be held on October 4, 2023, where teams pitch their innovations live before a panel of judges and audience. Each team has five minutes to make the case for their product, and the grand prize winner is awarded a $1 million investment. The remaining four teams each walk away with a $500,000 investment.  

“We continue to see incredibly strong interest from across the globe from innovative teams seeking to grow their business here in Central New York,” said Kara Jones, director of GENIUS NY. “The range of technologies in our applicant pool, as well as the continued geographic diversity represented by these semifinalists, will contribute to another strong program this year. Our advisers have a challenging selection process ahead of them to determine this year’s finalists, but I am excited to soon welcome another group of promising startups to Syracuse and The Tech Garden, where we will work with them on other growth opportunities as well.” 

Since 2017, GENIUS NY has invested $18 million in 32 companies from around the world. The program 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. In addition, GENIUS NY companies have raised more than $100 million in follow-on funding and have created more than 80 jobs in Upstate New York. 

Beyond the grand prize investments, participants benefit from access to the region’s premier startup programming, including business planning, industry specific mentorship and access to vetted service providers offering startup friendly terms. Participants are integrated into the larger regional effort to grow uncrewed aerial systems in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, gain access to world-leading infrastructure and testing assets, and have opportunities to connect with investors for follow-on funding. 

To learn more about GENIUS NY, visit www.geniusny.com.  

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The five finalists will enter the in-residence accelerator at The Tech Garden in July 2023, and will be immersed in workshops, events and mentoring. Participants are required to operate their business in Central New York for one year during the program.

To date, GENIUS NY has invested more than $18M in 32 startups over six years. These teams have gone on to raise more than $100 million in follow-in funding and help create over 70 Upstate New York jobs. The advancement of the GENIUS NY program builds on the progress of CNY Rising, the region’s comprehensive strategy to revitalize communities and grow the economy.

Beyond investments, GENIUS NY participants have access to some of the region’s premier startup programming, including business planning, industry specific mentorship, and access to vetted service providers offering startup friendly terms. As part of this effort, participants will be integrated into the larger regional effort to grow uncrewed aerial systems in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, and will have access to world-leading infrastructure and testing assets when they come online. Participants also receive incubator space and stipends, as well as support in hiring, marketing and fundraising.

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GENIUS NY Sees Biggest Interest Yet – 300+ Submissions from 50+ Countries

Applications for GENIUS NY’s seventh cohort are open until May 17, 2023. Apply Now.

There’s still time to get your application in for GENIUS NY’s seventh cohort! GENIUS NY is the world’s largest business accelerator focused on uncrewed aerial systems and each year, invests $3M into five selected startups. Applications opened in February and already the program has seen over 300 submissions from over 50 countries.

The GENIUS NY accelerator supplies unparalleled access and expertise to young companies in the uncrewed aerial systems, robotics, and big data sectors. GENIUS NY works closely with its partners at NUAIR, who manages operations of the FAA-designated New York UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport and is responsible for the advancement of New York’s 50-mile UAS Corridor between Rome and Syracuse, NY.

The program has attracted more than 32 startups to Central New York since its inception in 2017. To date, the innovative teams have gone on to raise more than $100 million in venture capital and have created more than 80 upstate New York jobs. Some companies from previous cohorts that have raised significant rounds of venture capital include Drone Seed ($36M Series A), Thread ($15M Series A), Fotokite ($13.7M Series B), and Wonder Robotics ($4 Million Seed Round).

Cohort six winner, Archangel Imaging received the top prize of $1 million in November 2022. The company has seen significant growth in Central New York and has partnered with several local providers and customers. They recently made their first U.S hire, and last month, partnered with past GENIUS team, Circle Optics to combine their 360-degree imaging with its data science and software.

GENIUS NY staff and portfolio companies will be attending AUVSI XPONENTIAL this May in Denver, CO. Stop by the New York Pavilion to meet with GENIUS NY and talk with startups that have gone through the accelerator. The accelerator is also hosting and VC x Startup Social during the conference on May 10 at 7PM. The event is being co-hosted with VC partner, AeroX Ventures, who recently invested in Vermeer, a GENIUS NY portfolio company.

To learn more about GENIUS NY visit www.geniusny.com. To start your application, click here.

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