August 29, 2025

Finalists Announced for Grow-NY Food Competition

News Summary

Twenty startups have been selected as finalists in the Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition, which offers $3 million in annual prize money. The finalists were chosen based on their potential to create jobs and contribute to economic growth in Upstate New York. A diverse panel of judges evaluated 270 applications from around the world, with a significant number of entries from female founders and those from diverse backgrounds. The competition culminates in a summit where winners will be revealed, fostering innovation in the agricultural sector.

New York

A total of 20 finalist startups have been selected to compete in the seventh edition of the Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition, which awards $3 million in prize money annually. The finalists were announced on August 28, 2025, by Empire State Development (ESD) in collaboration with Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA). This initiative is aimed at catalyzing economic growth in Upstate New York.

The Grow-NY competition requires participating startups to commit to creating jobs, forming partnerships, or establishing operations within a 22-county region of Upstate New York. This year, the competition attracted a remarkable 270 applications from 41 countries, highlighting its international appeal. Within the United States, entries were received from 31 states, including 53 from New York State.

Finalist Selection and Diversity

A panel of 40 expert judges, comprising professionals from agribusiness, economic development, food systems, and entrepreneurship, reviewed the applications to select the finalists. Notably, 46% of applicants had a female founder, while 74% featured a founder from a culturally diverse background, underlining the competition’s commitment to inclusion and innovation.

Accelerator Program and Summit

The selected finalist startups will engage in a 10-week business development accelerator program that offers tailored mentorship, business development support, and pitch coaching, preparing them for the upcoming competition phase. The Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit is scheduled to take place on November 12-13, 2025, in Canandaigua, New York. During this event, the winners will be announced live at the closing ceremony.

Prize Structure

Prizes at the Grow-NY Summit include:

$1 million top prize
Two awards of $500,000
Four prizes of $250,000

In-person and virtual attendance registration for the Grow-NY Summit is currently open, allowing for wider accessibility and participation from interested parties across the industry.

About the Grow-NY Competition

The Grow-NY competition is part of New York’s Upstate Revitalization Initiatives, which include Finger Lakes Forward, CNY Rising, and Southern Tier Soaring. These initiatives are designed to promote business growth, job creation, and economic opportunity throughout New York State. The competition emphasizes innovation in agriculture and food systems, aiming to support emerging businesses and diversify the agricultural economy.

As the competition continues to grow, it remains a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their ventures while contributing positively to the economic landscape of Upstate New York. By fostering job creation and promoting sustainable practices in the food and agriculture sectors, Grow-NY plays a crucial role in building a more robust regional economy.

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Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER

NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.

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