GENIUS NY Startup Accelerator (Cohort 8)

Deadline Date: May 15, 2024

Donor Name: GENIUS NY

Grant Size: Not Available

Submissions are now open for the GENIUS NY, a startup accelerator sponsored by Empire State Development that invests $3M annually into seed-stage startups focused on uncrewed aerial systems, automation and AI.

Beyond the grand prize investments, participants benefit from access to some of the region’s premier startup programming.

What They Offer?

• Business Development
  • Dig into your customer discovery, get expert legal advice, build on your marketing strategy and much more.
• Industry Networking
  • Meet and work with the entire portfolio of companies, plus connect with additional industry leaders and entrepreneurs.
• Investor Relations
  • Gain insights into effective strategies for preparation and collaboration with investors to elevate your startup.
• Events & Programming
  • Gain access to events and conferences to learn business strategies and make professional connections.

What does GENIUS NY provide participants?

• ​Five winners are selected for the GENIUS NY accelerator each year. Winners receive a large investment; one grand prize winner receives $1 million, followed by four $500,000 investments to the remaining teams. ​Winners also receive funding in the form of a monthly stipend in Phase I, free office space and amenities, workshops and events, business training, a dedicated group of executive advisors, industry mentors, and recruiting, marketing, and fundraising support.

Besides the funding, winners also receive

• Pitch Deck Support + Investor Relations
  • Support from experts on pitch deck creation and presentation, along with over 50 investor partners like ffVC and DroneFund Armory Square Ventures.
• Industry Mentors + Executive Advisors
  • Dedicated one-on-one mentorship with experts in your field
• Programming + Workshops
  • Workshops on product market fit, customer discovery, fundraising and go-to-market strategies
• UAS Ecosystem + Partners
  • Access to a vast UAS ecosystem including past GENIUS NY companies, NUAIR and the NY UAS Test Site
• Free Office Space + Amenities
  • Teams receive free office space at The Tech Garden incubator in Syracuse, NY
• Recruiting + Fundraising Support
  • Work with staff and mentors to successfully fundraise, hire and scale

Criteria

• They welcome international applications. However, speaking English is a requirement. Meeting the requirements of US immigration policy will be the responsibility of the participants.
• Ideal Applicants
  • Technologies in the uncrewed systems or UAV, automation and AI space
  • Pre-seed/Seed stage qualifications
  • Founders that have domain expertise and a great team
  • Traction with paying customers
  • Revenue or an MVP
  • A strong value proposition to locate in the Central New York region
  • Potential strategic partnerships with past GENIUS NY and Central New York companies
• Businesses must be venture backable and high growth potential.
• Business focus must be in the broader categories of:
  • Uncrewed systems, automation, AI.
• Willing to commit to living on a full-time basis in Central New York for the period of the program.
• Able to speak or communicate in English.
• Able to travel to the United States with proper travel/work visa.

For more information, visit GENIUS NY.