News Summary
Modovolo from Oneida County and Lamarr AI from Atlanta are among five finalists in the $1 million Genius NY accelerator program. Chosen from 91 global applicants, they aim to refine their business strategies and expand operations with this funding. With extensive support provided through the accelerator, these startups are poised to contribute significantly to Central New York’s tech landscape and economy.
Oneida County Startups Compete for $1 Million in Genius NY Accelerator Program
Oneida County’s own Modovolo and Atlanta-based Lamarr AI have been announced as finalists in the $1 million Genius NY accelerator program. This year marks a significant opportunity for these startups, as they aim to secure funding and support to refine their business strategies and expand their operations in Central New York.
These two companies are among five finalists selected from a competitive pool of 91 applicants from across the globe. The finalists include:
- Flox (Stockholm, Sweden): Develops AI technology that communicates with wild animals to help reroute them from critical areas using Edge pods and drones.
- Lamarr AI (Atlanta, USA): Uses drones combined with artificial intelligence for inspecting building exteriors, offering quicker and more reliable data than traditional methods.
- Lighthouse Avionics (Ohio, USA): Provides affordable optical solutions to monitor drone threats and ensure compliance with FAA regulations in low-altitude airspace.
- Modovolo (New York, USA): Focused on creating low-cost, modular drone aircraft that boast extended flight times for various commercial and defense applications.
- Skyfire AI (New Jersey, USA): Implements autonomous drone swarms aimed at improving response times for first responders and defense teams.
The Genius NY program aims to be the largest global business accelerator for the uncrewed systems and robotics industry. Through this initiative, finalists will receive extensive support, including assistance in product and business development as well as networking opportunities at CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub located in downtown Syracuse. This collaborative environment is designed to foster innovation and growth among tech startups.
Empire State Development announced the finalists on Monday, indicating that the selected startups will have until May 2026 to refine their business plans before presenting them to a panel of judges. The final competition is scheduled for May 7, 2026, on which day the grand prize winner will be determined. Additionally, the remaining four finalists will each receive $500,000 to support their endeavors.
Participants in the Genius NY program are required to commit to operating their business in Central New York for a minimum of one year, further strengthening the region’s burgeoning tech landscape and innovative ecosystem.
Since its inception in 2017, the Genius NY program has successfully attracted over 42 startups to Central New York, investing nearly $24 million in funding. This financial support has enabled these startups to raise more than $350 million in additional funding and generate hundreds of new job opportunities in the region.
The announcement of this year’s finalists comes as part of the program’s ninth cohort, underscoring the ongoing commitment to fostering technological innovation and enterprise growth in the uncrewed systems industry.
Local officials emphasize the solid ecosystem for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in Central New York, viewing it as a crucial foundation for the success of startups like Modovolo and Lamarr AI. The region’s investment in UAS technologies has positioned it as a valuable resource for companies looking to innovate and expand in this specialized field.
With the growing interest in drone technologies and applications, the Genius NY program continues to play a pivotal role in driving entrepreneurial success while contributing to the overall economic vitality of Central New York.
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Additional Resources
- Syracuse.com: CNY Drone Startup Among 5 Finalists in 3M Genius NY Competition
- GovTech: How Central New York Became a Drone Manufacturing Hub
- Commercial UAV News: Why Upstate NY is the Center of the Drone Universe
- WESH: FAA Restricts Drone Company After Orlando Drone Show Incident
- NBC New York: New Year’s Eve NYC Drone Show Canceled
- Wikipedia: Drone Technology
- Google Search: Drone Startups
- Google Scholar: Drone Technology Advancements
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drone
- Google News: Drone Industry News
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