What to Expect at This Year’s Finals Night

GENIUS NY 2.0 Finals Night is officially one month away and we could not be more excited. The event takes place on Monday, April 9 from 4 to 9PM at the Marriott Downtown Syracuse. Here are some reasons why you should attend and what to expect...

Hear from the World’s Top Emerging UAS Startups as they Pitch Live on Stage 
Watch as six of the top UAS startups pitch their innovative drone technologies for a chance at a $1 million investment. These startups were hand selected to be part of GENIUS NY 2.0, a business accelerator competition, from a global application pool of over 250 submissions. Each company has taken up residence in Syracuse, NY eager to grow their companies with the support of our local leaders in unmanned systems and entrepreneurship.

​Nearly $3 Million Will Be Awarded 
This wouldn’t be the world’s largest UAS competition without awarding millions. The winner of Finals Night will receive a $1 million investment, followed by $600,000 for second place, $400,000 for third place, and the remaining three teams each collecting $250,000. The best part? All six teams are awarded funding. GENIUS NY is funded by Empire State Development with a mission to grow the rising UAS ecosystem in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.

Networking Opportunities with UAS Leading Professionals, Local Startups, Community Business Leaders and More
Last year more than 150 people attended Finals Night and this year its expected to double as GENIUS NY has grown its network, partners and brand throughout the industry. Meet folks from around the area who are in the UAS industry, or have a startup of their own. Some of the 2017 GENIUS NY teams will also be in attendance. There will definitely be plenty of opportunities to network so don’t forget your business cards. 

Live Fan Favorite Voting
We’re giving the audience a chance to pick their favorite GENIUS NY finalist. At the end of the six pitches you’ll be able to choose your favorite team and watch in real time on screen as the votes are tallied. The Fan Favorite prize is sponsored by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and consists of a full-year AUVSI membership as well as upgraded conference passes for AUVSI’s XPONENTIAL Conference in Colorado this May.

Food, Beverages and Free Giveaways
We realize you’re probably missing dinner for the event…but fear not, there will be plenty of food and drink options for everyone to enjoy during Finals Night. There will also be chances throughout the night to receive free GENIUS NY swag.

An Opportunity to See One of the Oldest Ballrooms in Syracuse, NY
Finals Night is taking place at the iconic Marriott Downtown Syracuse which was recently restored to its original 1924 glory. The inspiring space and architecture was a model for the first Waldorf Astoria and has been visited by fashion icons and influencers such as John Lennon and President Kennedy.

A Chance to Hold the $1 Million Check
There’s just something amazing about holding a giant check…let alone one for $1 million. You’ll get a chance to take a picture with the giant check to share with your friends and family. 

To attend this year's Finals Night please register here.