Five Cutting-Edge Startups Selected for Round Nine of GENIUS NY, the World's Largest Business Accelerator for Uncrewed Systems

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Aug 13, 2025, 13:27 ET

Five Finalists Come from Across the Globe to Central New York to Compete for a $1 million Grand Prize Investment.

Program is supported by "CNY Rising" – The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire State Development (ESD) this week announced the five teams selected to take part in round nine of the yearlong GENIUS NY business accelerator. The finalists were chosen from a highly competitive application process that received submissions from startups from around the world, including record interest from U.S. companies. These teams will compete for a total of $3 million in direct investment, with one grand prize of up to $1 million and four $500,000 awards. The program is the largest business accelerator for the uncrewed systems and robotics industry in the world. Supported by the CNY Rising Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) and administered by CenterState CEO, GENIUS NY brings companies to Central New York to participate in the yearlong in-residence accelerator where they receive assistance with product development, business development, as well as networking opportunities with investors and business leaders. GENIUS NY participants are required to commit to operating their business in Central New York for at least one year.

"The GENIUS NY accelerator has supported the state's efforts to establish Central New York as a hub for the uncrewed aerial systems industry by attracting next-generation entrepreneurs to the region," Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said. "New York's ongoing UAS investments and commitment continue to create new high-tech jobs and growth, further establishing the State as an industry leader."

This year's five finalists include two teams from Central New York and one women-founded startup.

The five selected finalists are:

Flox (Stockholm, Sweden): AI that understands and speaks to wild animals—running on Edge pods, drones, and trains —to steer wildlife away from critical areas.

Lamarr AI (New York, USA): Uses drones and AI to inspect building exteriors, delivering faster, more affordable, and more accurate data than traditional methods.

Lighthouse Avionics (Ohio, USA): Offers low-cost optical solutions to monitor low-altitude airspace for drone threats, bird strikes, and FAA compliance.

Modovolo (New York, USA): A drone company building low-cost, modular aircraft with extended flight times, designed for a wide range of commercial and defense uses.

Skyfire AI (New Jersey, USA): Deploys autonomous drone swarms and AI to improve response times and situational awareness for first responders and defense teams.

The chosen finalists will work to build relationships in the region, develop their go-to-market plans, and spend time refining their pitches before presenting to a panel of judges at Innovation Night on May 7, 2026. The signature finals night event's move from the fall to next spring will afford the teams greater opportunity to become a part of the community.

Kara Jones, Director of GENIUS NY, said, "This year's finalists bring the latest in uncrewed aerial and robotics technology right here to Central New York. Our community's robust UAS ecosystem, resources and expertise make this region the perfect launching pad for these innovative startups. We're excited that this year's teams are further along in their businesses, many with proven traction, active pilots or commercial deployments. These companies are building technologies that solve real-world problems across defense, infrastructure, and public safety. We're eager to introduce these businesses to the Central New York community and begin offering them the top-of-the-line assets and resources that GENIUS NY is known for as they become the first cohort to operate out of the INSPYRE Innovation Hub."

CenterState CEO's INSPYRE Innovation Hub is the largest business incubator in New York. The brand new, expanded facility features a hardware center, makerspace, uncrewed systems testing deck and much more. Program benefits also include access to experts and other founders specific to their industry, executive advisors, marketing and fundraising support, industry-focused events, the opportunity to apply for the UAS Job Fund, as well as access to platforms such as PitchBook, and offer companies AWS credits.

Ben Sio, acting president of CenterState CEO, said, "The success of the GENIUS NY program and the impact teams have had on the Central New York community perfectly illustrates why the region's becoming a globally recognized leader in UAS spaces. We're especially excited this year to welcome this cohort into the INSPYRE Innovation Hub, a physical symbol of the region's growing innovation economy. INSPYRE was built with GENIUS NY in mind, and I look forward to seeing how the teams utilize all that the new space and this community has to offer for them to grow and thrive."

Since 2017, GENIUS NY has invested nearly $24 million in 42 companies from around the world. In addition, GENIUS NY companies have raised more than $350 million in follow-on funding and have created hundreds of new jobs in New York state.

State Senator Rachel May said, "It's exciting to see the continued success of the GENIUS NY business Accelerator. Now in its ninth round, this program has become an integral part of our growing drone industry, attracting more tech businesses to Central New York and strengthening the local economy. Congratulations to the five teams selected for this latest round, and I look forward to the innovation you'll bring to the region."

State Senator Chris Ryan said, "The further development of UAS right here at home is incredibly important as Central NY continues to grow and welcome pioneering technologies. The proven success of the GENIUS NY accelerator program will launch these companies towards success, with CenterState CEO's INSPYRE Innovation Hub being the perfect place to support their groundbreaking work. Congratulations to all of the companies accepted into this year's cohort, we look forward to welcoming you to our community."

Assemblymember William B. Magnarelli said, "Congratulations to the finalists. The Genius NY Competition continues to help Central New York maintain its status as a hub for innovative companies exploring uses for uncrewed aerial systems and other leading-edge technologies. The partnerships and opportunities created locally during the entrepreneurial stage create a catalyst for growth in our Central New York region."

Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, "GENIUS NY continues to be a powerful driver of innovation and economic opportunity in Central New York. By attracting top talent and cutting-edge technology from around the globe, this program is helping to position our region as a national leader in the uncrewed systems industry. I'm proud to support initiatives like GENIUS NY that are not only building the high-tech economy of the future, but also creating good-paying jobs and new opportunities for the people who call this community home."

Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, "Nowhere else in the world can Unmanned Aerial Systems businesses start, grow and thrive with as many assets, services and as much expertise as Central NY. In a period of a dozen or more years we have created a complete ecosystem for research, testing and manufacturing, which attracts UAS companies from all over the world. Congratulations to this set of Genius NY finalists. We welcome you to our community and believe you will come to love it for all it has to offer."

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, "As we continue our focused work to grow and diversify our local economy, we are incredibly excited to welcome these teams to our community. The GENIUS NY competition continues to serve as a platform to showcase why Central New York is an exceptional place to grow a business. I wish these innovators the best of luck and we are ready to provide them with any support that they may need."

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, "The GENIUS NY program has put Syracuse and Central New York on the map as a top destination in the world for innovators in uncrewed aerial systems. It's become an important part of the Syracuse Surge, our strategy for inclusive growth in the New Economy. I'm excited to see another round of outstanding teams committing to this yearlong in-residence program in Syracuse. I thank New York State Empire Statement Development, CenterState CEO, and the Upstate Revitalization Initiative for continuing to invest in the GENIUS NY program."

Central New York Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Randy Wolken, President & CEO of MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, and Le Moyne College President Linda M. LeMura said, "Congratulations to the latest innovative teams selected to take part in the highly successful GENIUS NY competition. We are proud to welcome these imaginative entrepreneurs to the region as they work to grow their forward-thinking ideas. Through the regional council's continued support for this competition, we are ensuring that New York state remains at the forefront of the growing UAS industry in Central New York, creating new opportunities and jobs for residents in the region for generations to come."

For additional information about GENIUS NY, visit: https://geniusny.com/.

For additional information about CenterState CEO, visit: https://centerstateceo.com/.

Accelerating CNY Rising
Today's announcement complements "CNY Rising" the region's comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. More information is available here.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.