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 is now accepting applications for the ninth round of the yearlong program. GENIUS NY, operated by CenterState CEO, is the world’s largest business accelerator focused on uncrewed aerial systems. The in-residence accelerator will invest more than $3 million in five finalist companies, including a $1 million grand prize awarded at a pitch finals event.  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 continues to fuel New York State’s thriving uncrewed aerial systems industry. This world-renowned program is attracting forward-thinking innovators to Central New York, ensuring that their pioneering ideas take flight thanks to the area’s unmatched UAS assets, infrastructure and high technology industry promise.”

Applications are being accepted at www.geniusny.com through May 28, 2025, from tech startups focused on uncrewed aerial systems, automation 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.

This year, finalists will operate out of Central New York’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art innovation hub in downtown Syracuse. The upgraded facility will include a brand-new maker space, an expanded hardware center and a roof terrace for uncrewed aerial systems companies to launch and test drones. The program also offers a comprehensive suite of business resources, tailored programming, expert mentorship and strategic networking opportunities. These tools are designed to help startups sharpen their sales strategies, build strong investor relationships, and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the rapidly evolving UAS industry.

“The GENIUS NY program helps make the Central New York UAS ecosystem a world-class hub for this technology,” said Kara Jones, director of GENIUS NY. “Each year, GENIUS NY teams bring industry disrupting technology to the region, and we are excited to welcome the future Cohort 9 finalists into a brand-new facility, designed to help them scale faster and push the boundaries of their technologies. I’m eager to see what new ideas and technologies come from this year’s application pool.”

Applications are evaluated by a panel of judges, and semifinalists 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 CenterState CEO’s in-person accelerator later this summer, where they will be immersed in the expanded 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 2025.

To date, the program has attracted more than 42 startups to Central New York since its inception in 2017. To date, nearly $24 million has been invested in the innovative teams, which have gone on to raise more than $350 million in follow-on funding.

Round eight winner Aviant received the top prize of $1 million in October 2024 and is utilizing the Central New York drone ecosystem to enter the U.S. market. Other GENIUS NY Cohort 8 teams are finding partnership opportunities with local institutions. Upstate Medical University is using INVOLI’s system to maintain awareness of aircraft within their drone operations.

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