GENIUS NY Seeks Women-Owned Startups In Unmanned Systems To Compete For $1 Million In Funding

GENIUS NY 2.0 Accepting Applications until October 1, 2017

One of the world’s largest business competitions focused on unmanned systems – is seeking woman-owned startups to participate in the second round of the year-long business accelerator. The program will invest nearly $3 million in six finalist companies, including three grand prizes valued at up to $1 million, $600,000 and $400,000. Applications are currently being accepted from entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses focused on unmanned systems, hardware, software and analytics through October 1, 2017.

“As we see women emerging in leadership positions throughout the engineering and innovation fields, we want to encourage the drone industry to continue this effort,” said Jonathan Parry, director of GENIUS NY. “We know there is a great deal of women-led innovation and talent in this space in particular, and with the current cohort of companies from round one all led by men, GENIUS NY would love to see more women entrepreneurs join this growing competition.”

The business competition targets companies in the unmanned aerial, ground, and marine systems and cross-connected platforms sectors. Subsets may include precision and remote sensing, data collection, guidance systems, communication systems, sensors, and data analytics among other technological categories.

Applications will be evaluated by a panel of judges and 12 semi-finalists will be selected to present demos and pitches this fall. Six companies will advance to participate in the competition, which is structured as a unique programmed incubator and accelerator experience. These six teams will enter the in-residence accelerator at CenterState CEO’s Tech Garden, and will be immersed in the incubator’s events, resource pool, and mentoring. Company stipends, housing, special programming and access to industry connections will also be available. Participants are required to operate their business in Central New York for one year during the competition.

The 12 month program is part of an overall effort to build upon Central New York as a major hub for unmanned systems. We are surrounded by industry leaders, including companies such as Lockheed Martin, Saab-Sensis, SRC, Gryphon Sensors, Navaid Technical Services, Moog Systems, and Agile Technology, as well as one of seven FAA-designated UAS test sites in the United States, at Griffiss International Airport, managed by the NUAIR Alliance. The airport recently announced plans for a 50-mile drone testing corridor to continue its advancing developments in drone technology.

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