Be Part of the World’s Largest Business Accelerator for Uncrewed Systems: Applications Now Open

GENIUS NY, the world’s largest business accelerator for uncrewed systems, is now accepting applications.

Operated by CenterState CEO and funded by Empire State Development, the program is looking for five industry-disrupting startups to be a part of its ninth cohort.

GENIUS NY awards $3 million across the five selected teams, including a $1 million grand prize for the winner of its annual pitch competition. To date, the GENIUS NY program has invested $24 million in 42 startups.

This year’s finalists will be the first to operate out of Central New York’s newly renovated state-of-the-art innovation hub in downtown Syracuse. The upgraded facility will include a brand-new maker space, an expanded hardware center and a roof terrace for uncrewed aerial systems companies to launch and test drones. When construction is completed, CenterState CEO’s innovation hub will be the biggest entrepreneurship hub in New York state and among the top 10 largest in the country.

The program also offers a comprehensive suite of business resources, tailored programming, expert mentorship and strategic networking opportunities. These tools are designed to help startups sharpen their sales strategies, build strong investor relationships, and capitalize on opportunities in the rapidly evolving UAS industry.

Lars Erik Fagernaes, Co-Founder of GENIUS NY Round 8 grand prize winner Aviant, said, “We wouldn’t know where to start if we were to engage with the U.S. ecosystem without GENIUS NY. First of all, you get the investments. Second, you get an introduction to the environment. And third, and most importantly of all, we get to know the infrastructure and get ready for our commercial launch in the U.S.”

Manny Cerniglia, Co-Founder of GENIUS NY Round 8 finalist Flyhound, added, “When we first learned about GENIUS NY and started looking into Syracuse as a potential place to move our business, we knew that there were drone companies here and that drone technology is a growing space for a lot of different industries.” said Manny Cerniglia, co-founder of GENIUS NY Round 8 finalist Flyhound. “What we didn’t know is the breadth of what was available to us. We’ve gotten a ton of support from companies in local industries, from drone and defense to public safety and wireless.”

Central New York is emerging as a global leader in the uncrewed aerial systems space, and GENIUS NY is an exciting entry point into this dynamic ecosystem. In addition to the GENIUS NY accelerator and the new innovation hub, New York state has focused on making major investments in the uncrewed systems industry.

The state awarded the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR) a $21 million grant to establish the NUAIR Center of Excellence at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport. This facility supports scaling commercial operations in a unique 450 square mile beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) airspace that incorporates controlled and uncontrolled, rural and urban environments.

Kara Jones, Director of GENIUS NY, added, “GENIUS NY gives founders of uncrewed systems startups access to premier resources, trusted expertise and unique partnership opportunities. We want teams ready to establish a headquarters in Central New York, grow local jobs and enhance the region’s collaborative ecosystem.”

Applications are being accepted at www.geniusny.com through May 28, 2025, from tech startups focused on uncrewed aerial systems, automation and advanced air mobility (AAM). Subsets may include precision and remote sensing, smart city applications, data collection and analytics, guidance or communication systems, and sensors, among other technological categories.

Learn more and apply on the GENIUS NY website.