UAS Startup Accelerator Awards 3M in Funding

Applications for GENIUS NY’s seventh cohort are open until May 17, 2023. Apply Now >>

There’s still time to get your application in for GENIUS NY’s seventh cohort!

GENIUS NY is the world’s largest business accelerator focused on uncrewed aerial systems and each year, invests $3M into five selected startups. Applications opened in February and already the program has seen over 300 submissions from over 50 countries.

The GENIUS NY accelerator supplies unparalleled access and expertise to young companies in the uncrewed aerial systems, robotics, and big data sectors. GENIUS NY works closely with its partners at NUAIR, who manages operations of the FAA-designated New York UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport and is responsible for the advancement of New York’s 50-mile UAS Corridor between Rome and Syracuse, NY.

The program has attracted more than 32 startups to Central New York since its inception in 2017. To date, the innovative teams have gone on to raise more than $100 million in venture capital and have created more than 80 upstate New York jobs. Some companies from previous cohorts that have raised significant rounds of venture capital include Drone Seed ($36M Series A), Thread ($15M Series A), Fotokite ($13.7M Series B), and Wonder Robotics ($4 Million Seed Round).

Cohort six winner, Archangel Imaging received the top prize of $1 million in November 2022. The company has seen significant growth in Central New York and has partnered with several local providers and customers. They recently made their first U.S hire, and last month, partnered with past GENIUS team, Circle Optics to combine their 360-degree imaging with its data science and software.

GENIUS NY staff and portfolio companies will be attending AUVSI XPONENTIAL this May in Denver, CO. Stop by the New York Pavilion to meet with GENIUS NY and talk with startups that have gone through the accelerator.

The accelerator is also hosting and VC x Startup Social during the conference on May 10 at 7PM. The event is being co-hosted with VC partner, AeroX Ventures, who recently invested in Vermeer, a GENIUS NY portfolio company.

To learn more about GENIUS NY visit www.geniusny.com.