GENIUS NY 7 Archives | GENIUS NY https://geniusny.com/category/genius-ny-7/ Scale Your Startup in New York State Wed, 03 Apr 2024 18:09:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Blueflite and DroneUp Partner to Bring Advanced Commercial Drone Capabilities to Ensure Fast, Safe and Reliable Delivery https://geniusny.com/blueflite-and-droneup-partner-to-bring-advanced-commercial-drone-capabilities/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 19:36:46 +0000 https://geniusny.com/?p=2404 New partnership brings together leading drone design and technology leaders to revolutionize last-mile logistics VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — In an exciting development for the future of autonomous logistics, blueflite, a leader in cutting-edge drone technology and winner of the GENIUS NY $1 million grand prize at the 2023 Pitch Finals, have announced a strategic partnership [...]

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New partnership brings together leading drone design and technology leaders to revolutionize last-mile logistics

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — In an exciting development for the future of autonomous logistics, blueflite, a leader in cutting-edge drone technology and winner of the GENIUS NY $1 million grand prize at the 2023 Pitch Finals, have announced a strategic partnership with DroneUp, one of America’s foremost autonomous drone delivery companies. This collaboration is set to redefine the standards of last-mile delivery services.

This new partnership comes after months of joint collaboration and on the heels of DroneUp’s recent unveiling of its innovative Drone Autonomous Ecosystem, a platform that promises to revolutionize the delivery industry. Blueflite is honored to be chosen as the drone design partner for this trailblazing initiative. With its advanced drone capabilities, including internal package storage and high-speed flight, blueflite’s technology is a perfect fit for DroneUp’s Ecosystem, ensuring quick, safe, and reliable deliveries within a 15-mile radius of partnered vendors. As a US company, blueflite showcases its commitment to American manufacturing and quality, working with carefully selected US components and suppliers.

“Our alliance with DroneUp heralds a transformative era for last-mile delivery,” said Frank Noppel, CEO of blueflite. “By pooling our resources and expertise, we’re not just advancing drone delivery technology; we’re making it more accessible and efficient for everyone, setting new industry standards along the way.”

“Our selection of blueflite as a partner was based on their profound innovation capabilities and technological excellence,” said John Vernon, DroneUp Chief Technology Officer. “Their vision aligns with ours, and we’re excited about the future of our collaboration, as it strengthens the backbone of our Drone Autonomous Ecosystem.”

This partnership comes at a time when drone delivery is on the rise across the United States and retailers, QSRs and c-stores look for new, innovative ways to put goods in their consumers’ hands at a fraction of the traditional delivery cost. Together, blueflite and DroneUp look to push the boundaries of what’s possible in drone delivery and autonomous logistics.

About blueflite
Founded in 2018, blueflite designs and manufactures advanced drone systems and software for an integrated approach to cargo delivery. The company’s patented platform handles all aspects of logistics drone operations and provides a one-stop solution to solve logistics challenges globally. The unique, all-electrical drone design has vertical take-off and landing capabilities, advanced maneuverability, and is built without compromise – to meet the rigorous demands of commercial operations. Whether packages are large or small, blueflite’s drone-based platform is built to scale in both size and quantity. For more information, visit www.blueflite.com.

About DroneUp
DroneUp leads the way in autonomous drone delivery services, transforming the logistics industry with a focus on speed, efficiency, and scalability. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, DroneUp is committed to delivering excellence and innovation, serving a growing number of locations across the United States and bringing the future of delivery to customers today. For more information, visit www.droneup.com.

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GENIUS NY Cohort 7 Elevates Uncrewed Aerial Systems Startups and Local Job Market https://geniusny.com/genius-ny-cohort-7-elevates-uncrewed-aerial-systems-startups-and-local-job-market/ Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:17:38 +0000 https://geniusny.com/?p=2245 In the heart of Syracuse, New York, the GENIUS NY accelerator has become a thriving hub for innovation in the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) industry. As the program propels emerging UAS startups towards success, these companies are not only revolutionizing the skies but also playing a significant role in boosting the local economy by creating [...]

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In the heart of Syracuse, New York, the GENIUS NY accelerator has become a thriving hub for innovation in the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) industry. As the program propels emerging UAS startups towards success, these companies are not only revolutionizing the skies but also playing a significant role in boosting the local economy by creating job opportunities. The teams of GENIUS NY Cohort 7 have wasted no time in bringing in talented local professionals to support their growing companies.

Aloft, creator of fleet management software, hired Emily Limpert in September of 2023 as Director of Business Development. In reflecting on her evolution at the company so far, Emily noted, “I have unlocked my ability to close deals. Aloft makes it easy because the product is so good.” She looks forward to the continuing technological innovations developing in Syracuse and how that plays into her work at Aloft. “I plan to keep closing deals and help develop a roadmap that ensures customer success,” she said, “I think the aviation community in Syracuse is valuable and we benefit from having a strong network here.” Asked about something she has learned about the drone space in her time at Aloft, “Drones can replace dirty and dangerous jobs.”

Over at Blueflite, Josh Greenway joined the team in October 2023 as a Flight Systems Engineer for the drone-based logistics platform company. While the most memorable experience for him was Blueflite winning the $1 million grand prize at the GENIUS NY Pitch Finals event, he has been inspired by how much the GENIUS NY program wants to help all the companies succeed. “Being supported by so many that truly want to help, makes anything seem possible,” said Josh. He has found the Syracuse innovation ecosystem to be “extremely helpful and full of potential.” Asked about what he hopes for the future of Blueflite, he replied “More time in Syracuse!” With the Blueflite team often at their Michigan headquarters, Josh plays an important role maintaining the downtown office at The Tech Garden. “I’m excited to see us grow here in Syracuse.”

VOTIX, a GENIUS NY cohort 7 team that specializes in software for drone orchestration and autonomy, brought in Mirco Kunz as their Business Development Specialist in September 2023. Mirco, reflecting on his role and Syracuse said, “Prior to coming to GENIUS NY I was unaware of the innovation ecosystem that Syracuse had to offer, but I was pleasantly surprised with how friendly and open the ecosystem is. I believe Syracuse has a great future ahead with startups and other industries coming here.” He is currently working on business development in the Drone as First Responder sector, which has him focusing on building relationships with local Syracuse area police departments. “I’ve been able to develop so much knowledge about the startup world and also about the drone industry,” said Mirco, “And I’m very excited for this next year as I grow with the company and see all the things VOTIX has in store in the near future.”

Voltela, who provides guaranteed network connectivity for unlimited safety of autonomous drone operations, has also recently hired two employees locally. Raghuram Voruganti was hired as a Software Engineer, and Shilpa Sainath Wade as a Data Engineer.

GENIUS NY’s unique model has not only accelerated the growth of these UAS startups but has also energized job creation, further solidifying Syracuse’s position as an important national tech hub. As these cohort companies receive the support to grow, so does the local economy. Thanks to the dedication and passion of individuals like Emily, Josh, and Mirco, the UAS and tech ecosystem in Syracuse and the Central New York region continues to emerge as a top destination for innovation.

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Blueflite Wins One Million Dollars in World’s Largest Drone Accelerator https://geniusny.com/blueflite-wins-one-million-dollars-in-worlds-largest-drone-accelerator/ Tue, 10 Oct 2023 17:02:10 +0000 https://geniusny.com/?p=1637 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 [...]

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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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Transforming UAS Propulsion, Quietly – Meet Greenjets, GENIUS NY Cohort 7 Finalist https://geniusny.com/meet-greenjets-genius-ny-cohort-7-finalist/ Fri, 29 Sep 2023 14:01:06 +0000 https://geniusny.com/?p=1590 Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023. It was one of Anmol Manohar’s own designs that made him realize how much noise is keeping uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), or drones, from reaching the mass market. In 2017, Manohar was working on [...]

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Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023.

It was one of Anmol Manohar’s own designs that made him realize how much noise is keeping uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), or drones, from reaching the mass market. In 2017, Manohar was working on the Rolls-Royce Air Taxi when he was confronted with just how loud electric aircraft can be. “Intuitively, you think of electric aircraft as quiet,” Manohar said. “But actually, that’s not the case. Electric aircraft are typically much heavier than their traditional counterparts because they’re carrying batteries, and they still rely on accelerating air to produce thrust.”

Hearing the noise from that electric engine caused Manohar to realize that unless electric aircraft, and drones specifically, become quieter, they are not going to be embraced by the market or the public. But that’s not the only roadblock he saw for the UAS industry. When Manohar started taking designs to air shows and other places, he noticed how negatively the public reacted to propellers and other drone features that looked dangerous. “I realized that the perception of safety of these aircraft is just as crucial for their success as actual safety.”

With the noise and safety perception challenges in mind, Manohar started Greenjets to create electric propulsors that address those issues. Greenjets is one of five finalists in CenterState CEO’s GENIUS NY program this year. Their vision of sustainable aviation starts with drones. Manohar said drones have the power to be transformative on a large scale but has yet to reach that potential. It’s what Manohar calls the one to one hundred problem. “The drone sector has proven that the technology can be transformative. It has proven that it can be regulated, and it can be operated safely. What it hasn’t proven yet is [if] it can go from a few drones being demonstrated in a few very specific use cases to being all around us, and really having that transformative impact,” Manohar said.

The Greenjets team believes a clean and quiet propulsor is essential to solving that problem, speaking to the company’s broader goal of creating a path towards sustainable aviation. Manohar said many consider electric autonomous aviation the third revolution in aerospace technology, after the invention of flight and the invention of the jet engine. He said the industry is only just beginning to imagine the possible uses for this technology. “We don’t really know the scale of transformation this technology can bring, in the same way we didn’t know what the jet engine would do,” Manohar said. “We are playing a part in this making this future real, and we are hoping it would do more than anything we can imagine right now.”

Find out more about the Greenjets technology, along with the four other GENIUS NY Cohort 7 finalist companies, as they compete for a chance to win the $1 million prize at Innovation Night featuring GENIUS NY Pitch Finals on Oct. 4 in Downtown Syracuse. Get a chance to meet and network with other emerging startups in Central New York from the Syracuse Surge Accelerator and The Tech Garden. Tickets are free but registration is required. Learn more and get tickets here!

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Orchestrating Automation – Meet Votix, GENIUS NY Cohort 7 Finalist https://geniusny.com/meet-votix-genius-ny-cohort-7-finalist/ Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:37:20 +0000 https://geniusny.com/?p=1553 Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023. Edwin Sanchez grew up during the Colombian Conflict, with drug cartels, guerilla groups and the Colombian government all violently competing for power in the country. Very often, civilians were the victims. Sanchez said [...]

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Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023.

Edwin Sanchez grew up during the Colombian Conflict, with drug cartels, guerilla groups and the Colombian government all violently competing for power in the country. Very often, civilians were the victims. Sanchez said the violence created an environment where young people didn’t expect to live past their adolescent years. Despite the violence that surrounded him, Sanchez was nurtured by entrepreneurial parents who encouraged his passions, both of which were essential to his outlook toward the future.

“That creates this mindset in which you live one day at a time. When you actually decide to do good, you say, OK, if I have one day to live, I want to do the best day. I want to be the best and give the best. Day by day, you start developing this, and that turns into resilience. I’m sure that I gained this tremendous resilience throughout that very time.”

Sanchez graduated from college in Colombia with a software engineering degree and immigrated to the United State in 2001. His early career was in the corporate world, working in a variety of roles in marketing, sales, licensing and consulting. It was during this time he met his partner Daniel Echeverri, a vendor for one of the companies that Sanchez owns. Echeverri is an expert in networking and cybersecurity, but he’s also a professional drone racer. It was through Echeverri that Sanchez became interested in uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).

Now combining his entrepreneurial drive, software engineering background, and love for drones, Sanchez is the CEO of VOTIX, one of five GENIUS NY finalists. VOTIX’s software enables pilots of any drone to safely and reliably manage, automate and control their machine remotely. The idea came from one of Sanchez’s other interests: archeology. He remembers watching a webcam of ancient Egyptian ruins. “I thought, ‘Hey, what if I actually bring this webcam on board [a] drone, and I can see it. Somebody can actually man the drone, do a tour and show me in real time a closer view,’” Sanchez said. “Or even better, if I actually can man the drone remotely and do something on my own.”

The tourism industry didn’t end up being a good fit for the technology at the time, but the software is helping drone operators and manufacturers turn off-the-shelf drones into fully automated fleets. Sanchez said the success of VOTIX can be attributed in part to the diversity of experience the team brings to the table. Between himself, Ed Boucas, CTO Daniel Echeverri and his brother CCO Santiago Echeverri, Sanchez said they have “a 360 perspective” on what the market and industry need.

Find out more about what VOTIX is working on, along with the four other GENIUS NY Cohort 7 finalist companies, as they compete for a chance to win the $1 million prize at Innovation Night featuring GENIUS NY Pitch Finals on Oct. 4 in Downtown Syracuse. Get a chance to meet and network with other emerging startups in Central New York from the Syracuse Surge Accelerator and The Tech Garden. Tickets are free but registration is required. Learn more and get tickets here!

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Elevating Connectivity – Meet Voltela, GENIUS NY Cohort 7 Finalist https://geniusny.com/meet-voltela-genius-ny-cohort-7-finalist/ Thu, 14 Sep 2023 13:00:03 +0000 https://geniusny.com/?p=1518 Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023. Kim Mahler has always been interested in the ways we connect to each other. “I was one of the first among my friends to have to have a [cell] phone because I was just [...]

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Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023.

Kim Mahler has always been interested in the ways we connect to each other.

“I was one of the first among my friends to have to have a [cell] phone because I was just fascinated that you can just walk around and talk. Then, I just saw a lot of potential,” Mahler said.

Originally from Germany, Mahler earned his PhD in wireless communications and has worked for a decade on 5G car-to car communications. He eventually found his way to drone connectivity in 2018. He said his entrance into the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) space was a natural progression of his interests: ensuring safety of autonomous systems. “Now we’re using our smartphone every day, but the next thing is that all things are being connected and especially moving things,” Mahler said. “Drones will be revolutionary. They are basically like flying smartphones, but need a different kind of connectivity.”

Mahler recognized that drones need a reliable and consistent way to communicate in order for the technology to be safe and make a large-scale impact. This led to Mahler founding the company that is now one of five GENIUS NY finalists, Voltela. Mahler views Voltela as the bridge between the mobile network and the drone industry. “By connecting these two industries, we make drones even smarter, and safer,” Mahler said. “Your smartphone or your laptop is not smart if it’s not connected to the Internet, and connectivity is just very powerful. We make sure that aviation-grade connectivity is provided to the entire drone industry.”

Mahler said reliable connectivity will be essential to scaling drone technology. He points to the work of the company Zipline, which has set up nationwide drone delivery services in Rwanda and Ghana, as an example of what drone technology could be capable of. “This is just amazing. Before that, it was almost impossible to get the medical [supplies] you need in rural areas,” Mahler said. “Now within 30 minutes, you can have any medical supply you need, and it’s just the beginning.”

Voltela’s current customers provide medical supplies, and Mahler is focused on medical delivery. He said he’s personally interested in employing drone technology in ways that can help people, but he’s also combatting the negative perception that some have of drones. Mahler said the view that drones are used for harm instead of good is prevalent, also in his home country Germany. “It needs a little bit of imagination of what good things drones can do,” Mahler said. “But, as opposed to killing people, drones can actually save lives. They’re doing it already but not yet at scale in every country. Voltela is trying to help making drone services a safe reality.”

Find out more about what Voltela is working on, along with the four other GENIUS NY Cohort 7 finalist companies, as they compete for a chance to win the $1 million prize at Innovation Night featuring GENIUS NY Pitch Finals on Oct. 4 in Downtown Syracuse. Get a chance to meet and network with other emerging startups in Central New York from the Syracuse Surge Accelerator and The Tech Garden. Tickets are free but registration is required. Learn more and get tickets here!

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Taking Flight to Save Lives – Meet Blueflite, GENIUS NY Cohort 7 Finalist https://geniusny.com/meet-blueflite-genius-ny-cohort-7-finalist/ Thu, 07 Sep 2023 14:48:07 +0000 https://geniusny.com/?p=1495 Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023. GENIUS NY finalist Blueflite has something in common with global tech giants Google, Apple and Microsoft: where it started. The company began developing uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) technologies, commonly known as drones, [...]

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Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023.

GENIUS NY finalist Blueflite has something in common with global tech giants Google, Apple and Microsoft: where it started. The company began developing uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) technologies, commonly known as drones, in Chief Technology Officer James McClearen’s garage.

The location made sense for Blueflite’s early days. McClearen’s Michigan home had the space and the necessary tools to develop Blueflite’s technology. It also offered McClearen the shortest commute available. He could start work without having to leave his home, get his daughters off to school, and go back to work. But it was harder as the company grew. Blueflite, led by McClearen and CEO Frank Noppel, hosted venture capital firms and customers, including members of the military at McClearen’s home. The garage Blueflite grew up in was no longer a practical space. McClearen said they need to take the next step and move out.

Blueflite’s team moved in late 2022 to a new office and manufacturing space, where they continue to build and develop drone technologies. Their drones have a variety of uses, but where they’re focused now is medical delivery. Their technology can make equipment deliveries faster and greener. Take lab-to-lab deliveries for example. McClearen said using drones to accomplish this takes cars and carriers off the road, reducing emissions, and it decreases lab sample travel time.

One of Blueflite’s long-term goals is to be able to conduct organ deliveries with speed and energy efficiency, as they do with lab-to-lab testing. McClearen’s sure they haven’t thought of all the ways Blueflite’s technology could be used, but they’re trying to stay focused on the projects in front of them. Blueflite creates the drones, but they don’t operate them. McClearen said there are other companies that try to do it all, but they’ve decided to focus and lean on partners.

Early this year, Blueflite and Acadian Ambulance joined forces to develop a medical emergency response tool. The drones are equipped with tools to address common medical emergencies: an EpiPen, Narcan, and an AED. McClearen said it’s one of the most exciting things Blueflite is working on.

For McClearen, it’s clear New York cares about helping UAS companies succeed. The state’s invested over $110 million in the UAS ecosystem since 2016. This includes the GENIUS NY program in Syracuse at CenterState CEO’s The Tech Garden. He said with the state’s investment and regional resources like the FAA test site, it’s a good place to be.

Find out more about what Blueflite is working on, along with the four other GENIUS NY Cohort 7 finalist companies, as they compete for a chance to win the $1 million prize at Innovation Night featuring GENIUS NY Pitch Finals on Oct. 4 in Downtown Syracuse. Get a chance to meet and network with other emerging startups in Central New York from the Syracuse Surge Accelerator and The Tech Garden. Tickets are free but registration is required. Learn more and get tickets here!

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From Poetry to Motion – Meet Aloft, GENIUS NY Cohort 7 Finalist https://geniusny.com/aloft-genius-ny-cohort-7-finalist/ Fri, 01 Sep 2023 15:47:57 +0000 https://geniusny.com/?p=1466 Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023. A finalist for the world’s largest uncrewed aerial systems accelerator may be expected to have a technical college major, such as computer science or engineering. But the co-founder of Aloft, one of [...]

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Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023.

A finalist for the world’s largest uncrewed aerial systems accelerator may be expected to have a technical college major, such as computer science or engineering. But the co-founder of Aloft, one of five teams selected to compete in this year’s GENIUS NY competition, graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in poetry. “Imagine graduating with a degree in poetry during one of the worst recessions in recent history. Not exactly what I would call an excellent job market,” Aloft’s Joshua Ziering said. “Really the only time you make money as a poet is either if you have a bestselling book or after you’re dead. And I was not really interested in pursuing either one of those.”

Ziering ended up starting a marketing agency, but he considers words his second love. His first is aviation. A pilot of uncrewed aircraft for over 15 years, Ziering started by flying model planes in high school, a hobby funded by his side business of fixing computers and eventually piloting real planes. When people started talking about using uncrewed aerial systems for delivery in the early 2010s, Ziering saw a chance to combine his lifetime love of aviation and his entrepreneurial skills. “Everybody was saying that they’re a drone expert and they’re starting these drone companies. And I distinctly remember thinking, ‘How can this be?’ I have flown more things than they have. I have crashed more things than they have flown. This doesn’t make any sense to me,” Ziering said.

He started his first drone-based business, a delivery service, soon after. Though the company received attention from CNN, Fox, and NPR, it ultimately wasn’t profitable. Ziering said he took a step back so he could examine the larger uncrewed aerial system landscape and what it needed to succeed. “We’re going to need a management platform for all of the drone delivery companies, for all of the commercial drone operators, for all of the folks who want to fly drones at work for dull, dirty and dangerous jobs. That is really what was the basis for what would become Aloft,” Ziering said.

Ziering said it was no surprise that he turned his first company’s mistakes into success for the next one. It goes back to how he learned to fly. “By just going out and trying [to fly] my model airplanes, breaking them into a million pieces, putting them back together and going out again and doing the same thing over and over until I got to success, I think that’s very informative to my entrepreneurial journey,” Ziering said. “Failure is just another path forward towards success.”

Aloft is setting up their company for growth at CenterState CEO’s The Tech Garden. Join the Central New York community to see Ziering, along with the four other GENIUS NY Cohort 7 finalist companies, compete for a chance to win a $1 million prize at Innovation Night featuring GENIUS NY Pitch Finals on Oct. 4 in Downtown Syracuse. Get a chance to meet and network with other emerging startups in Central New York, from the Syracuse Surge Accelerator and The Tech Garden. Tickets are free but registration is required. Learn more and register here!

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GENIUS NY Cohort 7 Teams Arrive in Syracuse Ready to Scale Up https://geniusny.com/genius-ny-cohort-7-teams-arrive-in-syracuse-ready-to-scale-up/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 19:29:55 +0000 https://geniusny.com/?p=1370 This year's GENIUS NY finalists; Aloft, Blueflite, Greenjets, Voltela, and Votix, have arrived in Syracuse, New York, ready to participate in the uncrewed aerial systems, robotics and big data accelerator program These businesses were selected from a competitive group of applicants to participate in the program, which is focused on uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), robotics [...]

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This year’s GENIUS NY finalists; Aloft, Blueflite, Greenjets, Voltela, and Votix, have arrived in Syracuse, New York, ready to participate in the uncrewed aerial systems, robotics and big data accelerator program

These businesses were selected from a competitive group of applicants to participate in the program, which is focused on uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), robotics and big data startups. The teams will spend the next twelve months working out of Central New York’s premiere tech hub incubator, CenterState CEO’s The Tech Garden, where they will build out their operations and continue to scale.

As is true with each GENIUS NY cohort, these finalists are developing highly advanced products and services in terms of technology and application:

Blueflite designs and manufactures large drone platforms for faster and greener deliveries. The drone is all electric and can be used in emergency response for rapid delivery of medical or life-saving equipment such as defibrillators, or medications.

Greenjets is building electric ducted fan propulsion systems that are quieter and safer for drones.

Voltela is working on network connectivity for unlimited safety of autonomous commercial drone operations.

Both Votix and Aloft provide robust software solutions for the advancement and safety of UAS flight and usage.

The teams have wasted no time in immersing themselves in the vibrant Central New York and Syracuse communities, engaging with local entrepreneurs, and exploring the region’s tech ecosystem. The day after orientation, the teams attended the Upstate Capital Future of Air & Space event at the Innovare Advancement Center in Rome, NY where, in addition to networking, they had the opportunity to learn about what’s happening in Upstate NY in UAS and uncrewed systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), edge & quantum computing, and their applications.

The annual highlight of the accelerator is Innovation Night featuring the GENIUS NY Pitch Finals, to be held on October 4, 2023 in Syracuse, where a total of $3 million will be awarded. The teams pitch their product to a panel of judges with one team receiving a grand prize investment of $1 million and the remaining four teams receiving $500,000 awards. The night is always one of excitement filled with local entrepreneurs, community business leaders, investors, and supporters of innovation.

GENIUS NY is aligned with efforts to highlight and support a growing smart systems cluster in Syracuse. Beyond the financial support, the participating teams gain access to Central New York’s unique startup programming, invaluable mentorships, and a wide range of resources.

This comprehensive ecosystem equips them with the tools necessary to transform their ideas into scalable and sustainable businesses. With one year of dedicated support ahead of them, Aloft, Blueflite, Greenjets, Voltela, and Votix will become part of this ecosystem and build networks, share new ideas, attract talent and investments, and help the Syracuse economy grow.

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