Governor Kathy Hochul announced Hypercell Technologies, based in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, as the grand-prize winner of the fifth annual Grow-NY food and agriculture business competition.
The competition, centered on boosting the burgeoning food, beverage, and agriculture sector in Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier, awarded a total of $3 million to seven finalists. This includes a $1 million grand prize for Hypercell Technologies. The event, administered by Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement, culminated in a two-day pitch competition at the Grow-NY Summit in Binghamton. Winners are required to commit to operating in the participating regions for at least one year and provide Grow-NY with a small equity investment stake in their company.
Governor Hochul lauded the winners as exemplars of innovation in the state’s agricultural sector, affirming her administration’s dedication to fostering economic growth and innovation across New York. Hypercell Technologies distinguished itself with its rapid point-of-care diagnostics for the food chain, enabling early detection and management of biological contaminants from production to transformation. This technology promises to enhance food safety and quality with greater speed and accuracy.
The competition also recognized other innovative startups. Clean Label Solution from Ithaca, NY, won a $250,000 prize for their technology enhancing protein and fat digestibility in soy-based animal feeds, reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption. Additionally, Big Yield Growers of Endicott, NY, was chosen for the “Wegmans Audience Choice” award, receiving $10,000 for their compelling business pitch. The 20 finalists, selected for their potential, benefited from mentorship and guidance in developing their business plans. Nearly 1,000 attendees witnessed the culmination of the Summit, where the winners, including Hypercell Technologies, were announced. These companies will now leverage their experiences and connections from the competition to advance their business plans within New York state.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].