Grow-NY | Grow-NY Food and AgTech Startup Competition Competition Annual Prize Awards Benefits & Support Competition Timeline Eligibility Judging Criteria Winner Selection Requirements Agreements Terms & Conditions FAQs Summit 2025 Winners 2024 Winners 2023 Winners 2022 Winners 2021 Winners 2020 Winners 2019 Winners Region Research & Insights Agrifood Innovation Report Innovating CPG In the Finger Lakes News and Events Info Sessions About Us Program Directors Grow-NY Partners Finalist Mentors Finalist Judges Contact Competition Annual Prize Awards Benefits & Support Competition Timeline Eligibility Judging Criteria Winner Selection Requirements Agreements Terms & Conditions FAQs Summit 2025 Winners 2024 Winners 2023 Winners 2022 Winners 2021 Winners 2020 Winners 2019 Winners Region Research & Insights Agrifood Innovation Report Innovating CPG In the Finger Lakes News and Events Info Sessions About Us Program Directors Grow-NY Partners Finalist Mentors Finalist Judges Contact Competition Annual Prize Awards Benefits & Support Competition Timeline Eligibility Judging Criteria Winner Selection Requirements Agreements Terms & Conditions FAQs Summit 2025 Winners 2024 Winners 2023 Winners 2022 Winners 2021 Winners 2020 Winners 2019 Winners Region Research & Insights Agrifood Innovation Report Innovating CPG In the Finger Lakes News and Events Info Sessions About Us Program Directors Grow-NY Partners Finalist Mentors Finalist Judges Contact Meet the Winners View the Winners Fertile ground Get to know the Grow-NY region Learn more A Call to Innovation New York's Agrifood System Read the Report Grow-NY® Food & Agriculture Startup Competition Grow-NY is a business competition focused on growing an enduring food and agriculture innovation cluster in the Grow-NY region. Funded by Empire State Development, the competition attracts innovative, high-growth food and agtech startups from across the globe and engages them in the region’s rapidly-growing startup ecosystem. Finalists will pitch their food and agtech business ideas for a chance to win up to $1 million. Winning companies will be required to execute bold plans to grow jobs, connect with local industry partners, and contribute to a thriving Upstate economy. Startups High-growth food and agtech startups from across the globe are encouraged to enter the competition. Growth Up to 20 finalists are matched with experienced mentors and receive customized business development trips to the region. Funding $3 million will be awarded each year to seven food & agtech startups. The top prize is $1 million. Competition Timeline Applications Open March 1, 2026 Applications Close May 15, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET Finalists Selected Summer 2026 Mentoring & Business Trips Late Summer 2026 Pitch Competition & Summit (Winners Selected) November 12-13, 2026 Rochester, NY Economic Impact Since launching Grow-NY in 2019, finalist companies have: $100M Raised over $100M in follow on funding, including investments and SBIR/STTR grants 246 Created 246 jobs in the food & agtech sector Meet the 2025 Winners Meet the winners Quick Links 2025 Winners Competition Details The Region News About Us Contact Follow us facebook twitter instagram linkedin Contact us [emailprotected] Sign up for enews Copyright © Cornell University | Grow-NY is a Registered Trademark This program is administered by the Center for Regional Economic Advancement, a division of Cornell Research & Innovation. Website Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy Sign up for eNews Be the first to hear the latest Grow-NY news, events, winners, and more! Sign up for news × Notify me when applications open ×