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Pitch competition · New York, United States

Grow-NY

A food and agtech startup competition funded by New York State. Up to 20 finalists get mentoring and a paid trip to Upstate New York, and seven winners share US$3M, with a US$1M top prize, if they commit to the region.

Closed Run by Cornell University, funded by Empire State Development

Visit the programme's site

Verified 19 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
US$1,000,000 US$3M a year to seven winners: US$1M to one company, US$500,000 to two and US$250,000 to four, paid in stages against business milestones
Instrument
Prize
Equity taken
not published Award agreements include a pay-it-forward provision; winners choose a SAFE or an equity warrant. Awards must be repaid if the residency requirement is not met.
Programme fee
not published
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
In person
Stages
not published
Sectors
Agrifood
Open to founders from
Anywhere
Perks
  • Mentor for each finalist and extra pitch training
  • Expenses-paid three-day business development trip to the region for up to two team members

Application dates

ClosedGrow-NY 2026

Usual timing: 2027 dates are not yet published. In 2026 applications ran from 1 March to 15 May, and the pitch competition and summit are on 12-13 November 2026 in Rochester.

Who can apply

  • Food, beverage or agriculture startup from anywhere in the world
  • Meets two of four criteria: under seven years since formal organisation; first product or service in testing or pilot; pre-revenue or early revenue; leadership team working towards commercialisation
  • Winners must locate and keep a presence in the Central NY, Finger Lakes or Southern Tier region for at least 12 consecutive months, starting within three months of the award

What founders should check

  1. Equity: Award agreements include a pay-it-forward provision; winners choose a SAFE or an equity warrant. Awards must be repaid if the residency requirement is not met. Ask for the exact stake before you accept a place.
  2. It does not publish a fee. Ask whether you pay for desks, services or the programme itself.
  3. It runs in person in New York. Plan to be there for the length of the programme.
  4. The last window we track closed on 15 May 2026. 2027 dates are not yet published. In 2026 applications ran from 1 March to 15 May, and the pitch competition and summit are on 12-13 November 2026 in Rochester.

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