Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Competition

Reach us on

Applications are now open for the Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition. Grow-NY is a business competition focused on growing an enduring food and agriculture innovation cluster in the Grow-NY region. The competition attracts innovative, high-growth food and agriculture startups from across the globe and engages them in the region’s rapidly-growing startup ecosystem.

Finalists will pitch their 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.

Grow-NY Annual Prize Awards

Each year, Grow-NY will award $3 million in prize money to seven winners, all payable in stages based on business milestones.

One grand prize of $1 million
Two $500,000 prizes
Four $250,000 prizes

Competition Benefits & Support

All finalists (up to 20 companies) receive:

Dedicated support and coaching from an experienced mentor
Additional pitch training to hone your live pitch for the judges
An expenses paid three-day business development trip to the region. Up to two team members from finalist teams will travel to the region for networking introductions, business tours with potential partners, and valuable appointments.

Grow-NY Eligibility

The Competition is open to all startups located in any state or country in the world that meet the Grow-NY definition of ‘Food and Agricultural Field’, are early-stage, and have a scalable business model.

As used in these Terms and Conditions, the term “Food and Agriculture Field” is defined as follows:

Physical products, hardware technologies, software technologies, services, or processes that relate to or impact products that are derived from cultivating plants or enhance human life, such as:
- Food, including but not limited to fruits, vegetables, grains and cereal crops, meats and dairy products, honey and farmed fish, packaged and prepared food products for distribution
- Fuels, including but not limited to ethanol, produced from corn, sugarcane, or sorghum, and agricultural byproducts like straw, sugarcane
- Fibers, including but not limited to fiber crops such as cotton, wool, silk, hemp, flax and bamboo
- Raw materials, including but not limited to livestock feed
- Processes or systems that improve the development, growth, production, distribution, delivery, or processing
- The term “Food and Agriculture Field” also includes hardware technologies, software technologies, services, or processes that are new, novel, or otherwise benefit agriculture, food, or their related industries.

Eligible Applicants Meet Two of the Four Qualifying Criteria

To be eligible for the Competition, an applicant must be a registered, formative stage business entity that can enter into the Investment Agreement, such as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), that meets two or more of the following criteria:

Less than seven years from date of formal organization
Has its first product or service in testing or pilot production
Pre-revenue or early revenue
Has a leadership team working towards commercialization and profitability.
The Competition defines a business in the formative stage as a company in the startup or early stage of development with a product, service, software, or research that may or may not be in the commercial marketplace, which can show continued and steady maturity towards commercialization and profitability either by product development, external funding or product sales.

Eligibility Requirements for Industrial Hemp-Related Businesses

To be eligible for the Competition, businesses engaged in growing, processing, producing, distributing or selling industrial hemp (or products derived from industrial hemp) must (1) demonstrate appropriate New York State licenses or be currently authorized Research Partners with the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and (2) not manufacture, distribute or sell industrial hemp based products (including but not limited to unapproved drugs, cosmetics, foods, and products marketed as dietary supplements) in violation of federal Food and Drug Administration regulations or other state or federal laws and regulations.

Competition Timeline

Applications Close on May 15, 2024
Finalists Selected will be announced on August 13, 2024

How to Apply

Click Here to Apply and get more details concerning Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition.

Elevate Your Business With Our Expert Services!

We got the perfect solutions tailored just for you:

Business Plan/Proposal Writing Service: Every successful business needs a solid business plan, and a business plan can be a fundraising tool. We can help you craft compelling business plans and proposals tailored to your unique vision and secure funding, turning your business dreams into reality.

Feasibility Studies: Your business idea is not enough; you need to test its viability by conducting in-depth feasibility studies. We can help you conduct feasibility studies and analyze market trends, risks, and opportunities, providing you with the insights needed to make informed decisions and maximize success.

Farm Consultation and Setup Service: Whether you’re starting from scratch or need to optimize your existing farm, we are here to guide you. We offer comprehensive farm consultation services, guiding you from planning to setup. Grow your dreams with us!

Grant Writing & Project Management: Secure funding and oversee seamless project execution with our dedicated team. From grant applications to project implementation, we got you covered.

Website Development Service: In the digital age, having a professional online presence is essential. Let us build you a stunning website that showcases your products, services, and expertise. Reach a broader audience and grow your business online!