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Empire State Development (ESD) and Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement have announced the 20 finalists for the third year of Grow-NY, a food innovation and agricultural technology challenge focused on improving the emerging food, beverage innovation cluster and agriculture is concentrated in Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier.
“The third round of the Grow NY business competition has once again attracted a group of exceptional startups and entrepreneurial talent from around the world,” said Kevin Younis, chief operating officer and executive deputy commissioner of Empire State Development. “Through this competition, New York State continues its dedicated, focused efforts to support agricultural innovations that create jobs and grow the economies of Central New York, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier.”
A total of 330 startups from 32 countries, including Singapore, Israel and Switzerland, applied. 23 states were represented in the USA, including 138 entries from New York. 44% of the applicants were female founders and 51% were female founders from an underrepresented minority, which represents a significant increase compared to last year’s pool of applicants. A panel of 30 independent jurors, representing a broad spectrum of agriculture, food production and business expertise, examined all applications to determine the top 20 finalists who will present their business plans at the Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit this November will. Grow-NY is giving away a total of $ 3 million in prize money to seven winners.
These include a grand prize of $ 1 million, two prizes of $ 500,000, and four prizes of $ 250,000.
The 20 finalists selected include:
- Agri-Trak, Williamson, NY – Agri-Trak is a farm management application suite designed specifically for the apple industry. The suite includes customizable modules that provide real-time information in easy-to-read widgets that enable farms to make data-based decisions on a daily basis.
- Asarasi, Katonah, NY – Asarasi recovers 97% maple water by-products from the maple industry, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional bottled water, and helping family businesses double their profits from their existing maple crops.
- Ascribe Bioscience, Ithaca, NY – Ascribe Bioscience uses naturally occurring signaling molecules from the soil microbiome to create a new class of non-toxic broad-spectrum biopesticides that boost plants’ immune systems to increase resistance to pathogens and increase crop yields.
- Beemmunity, New York City, NY – Beemmunity leverages microparticle detoxification to provide solutions that protect and maintain pollinator species, change the effects of agrochemicals, and preserve pollinator species for future generations.
- Crystal Creek Organics, Rochester, NY – Crystal Creek has a patented process that converts soluble phosphorus in manure into a by-product that can be sold for additional income. The remaining, phosphorus-free liquid remains on the farm, which drastically reduces the cost of running the farm.
- DraftLab, Webster, NY – DraftLab produces high quality sensory tools for any sensory skill set, providing practical and accessible sensory analysis solutions that add real value to businesses of all sizes.
- EmGenisys, Houston, TX – Emgenisys is a cutting-edge embryo health assessment platform that provides the most comprehensive embryo assessment system and improves pregnancy outcomes from assisted reproduction technologies in farm animals.
- Every Body Eat, Chicago, Ill – Every Body Eat makes, markets, and sells delicious foods that are free from the 14 most common allergens, corn, and sugar, so people can enjoy them together regardless of dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Foodnerd, Buffalo, NY – Foodnerd makes positive processed foods with a purpose from plant-based foods. Your germination process maintains or increases the nutrient levels naturally found in foods instead of breaking them down.
- Heat Inverse, Ithaca, NY – Heat Inverse has developed a photonic metamaterial that provides cooling solutions without the energy input or waste heat of traditional cooling – it has the power to revolutionize cooling technologies in agriculture and food production.
- Kyomei, Oxford, UK – Kyomei makes major breakthroughs in large-scale production of animal protein via plant-based delivery systems and uses innovative chloroplast transformations to convert plant structures into animal proteins.
- Lupii, Brooklyn, NY – Lupii unleashes the power of the small but fine Lupini bean and revolutionizes the snack and meal bar category with its first taste line in snack size. Lupii Bars, the most unique vegan protein bars on the market, offer one of the first whole bean bars on the market.
- Neupeak Robotics, Surrey, Canada – Neupeak’s fully autonomous berry harvesters are designed to work with human workers in all weather and light conditions to save farmers money by charging a fixed price per pound of berries collected.
- Nordetect, Copenhagen, Denmark – Nordetect provides rapid chemical analysis of nutrients in the food industry. The company’s first product is a lab-on-a-chip test for nutrients in soil, water and leaf samples, aimed at optimizing the amount of fertilizer used for growing crops.
- Nutreat, Geneva, NY – Nutreat is a line of healthy, low glycemic sweet snacks that utilize science-based innovation, 100% natural, real whole-food ingredients, and a commitment to uncompromising taste and can be enjoyed on the go.
- Persistent BioControl, Austin, TX – Persistent BioControl ™ produces bio-control nematodes that attack, kill, and multiply western corn rootworm larvae before they damage crop yield. They are compatible with all CRW management programs, traited corn varieties, soil insecticides and soil types.
- Pheronym, Davis, CA – Pheronym uses pheromones to control the behavior and development of microscopic roundworms called nematodes, and provides farmers with a non-toxic, sustainable, and effective way to deviate from traditional pesticides.
- ProAgni, Lavington, Australia – ProAgni ProTect is a revolutionary range of livestock supplements and feeds that reduce methane emissions from sheep and cattle without the use of antibiotics and reduce a producer’s ecological footprint without increasing costs.
- Tropos Technologies, North Tonawanda, NY – Tropos uses patented air control and state-of-the-art environmental controls to offer a superior climate management system that improves sustainability, operations and food safety standards for greenhouses and indoor farms.
- WeRadiate, Rochester, NY – WeRadiate has a turnkey solution for improving soil quality using hardware, software and data technology, and offers a full range of tools to produce highly effective and high quality compost end products at all composting locations.
“In our third year, Grow-NY has matured to gain global recognition, attract the best innovators, and put Upstate NY at the top of the list for food and agribusiness startups worldwide. Every year Grow-NY breaks its own record of applications, and as more startups – and a more diverse group of startup founders – apply, that means we are attracting international entrepreneurs and minority-owned companies, “said Jenn Smith, program director, Grow-NY. “In this positive development, one element that continues to grow is the strength of our region’s agri-food innovation ecosystem and the incredible support the program and our finalists receive from our Grow-NY Partner Group. We are humble and grateful to work with such dedicated experts from industry, government and academia. ”
To learn more about the finalists and mentors, and to register for the Summit, visit grow-ny.com.
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