An Ithaca biotechnology company is a semifinalist in a national competition. CryoBio is one of ten enterprises competing in the American Farm Bureau Federation 2026 Ag Innovation Challenge.
The company is developing the first crop spray that can protect against extreme frost. The competition’s top prize is $100,000 in startup funds.
A critical need for innovation
Frost has become a massive problem for growers nationwide. This is especially true in frost-prone regions like New York.
“At CryoBio, we are addressing this challenge by using the most innovative biotechnology approaches,” said CryoBio CEO Murli Manohar. “This recognition not only validates the important work we are doing, but it also provides us with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with American farmers”.
Competition details
The 10 semifinalist teams will participate in a virtual pitch round. Four teams will advance to the final round and each will receive $10,000.
Those four teams will compete on January 12 at the AFBF Convention in Anaheim, CA. The top winner receives a total of $100,000. The runner-up receives a total of $25,000.
New York’s history of innovation
Another New York Farm Bureau member, Labby, won the runner-up prize last year. Labby is a Rochester-based company that tests milk and herd health.
“New York has long been a leader in agricultural innovation, so we applaud CryoBio for joining the ranks of Labby and other innovators in the state,” said NYFB President David Fisher. “To be a semifinalist in the Ag Innovation Challenge is truly an accomplishment, and we wish them well as they prepare for their pitch”.
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