About Genius NY
GENIUS NY, operated by CenterState and funded by Empire State Development, is a startup accelerator that invests $3M annually into seed-stage startups focused on uncrewed aerial systems, automation and advanced air mobility.
Five finalists are selected for the GENIUS NY startup accelerator each year.
Winners of the startup accelerator receive a large investment; one grand prize winner receives $1 million, followed by four $500,000 investments to the remaining teams. Winners also receive workshops and events, business training, a dedicated group of executive advisors, industry mentors, free office space and amenities, and recruiting, marketing, and fundraising support.
What Winners Receive
Funding + Stipends
Finalists receive $2,500 monthly for the year and are awarded $1 million or $500K at Pitch Finals.
Industry Mentors + Executive Advisors
Dedicated one-on-one mentorship with experts in your field
Programming + Workshops
Workshops on product market fit, customer discovery, fundraising and go-to-market strategies
UAS Partners
Access to a vast UAS ecosystem including past GENIUS NY companies, NUAIR and the NY UAS Test Site
Free Office Space
Teams receive free office space at CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub in Syracuse, NY
Recruiting + Fundraising Support
Work with staff and mentors to successfully fundraise, hire and scale
Is Your Startup a Good Fit for Genius NY?
Ideal Applicants
- Technologies in the uncrewed systems or UAS, automation and AAM space
- Pre-seed/Seed stage qualifications
- Founders that have domain expertise and a great team
- Traction with paying customers
- Revenue or an MVP
- A strong value proposition to locate in the Central New York region
- Potential strategic partnerships with past GENIUS NY and Central New York companies
Eligibility
- Businesses must be venture backable and high growth potential.
- Business focus must be in the broader categories of:
- Uncrewed systems, automation, advanced air mobility.
- Willingness to operate under the Terms and Conditions set forth by GENIUS NY.
- Willing to commit to living on a full-time basis in Central New York for the period of the program.
- Able to speak or communicate in English.
- Able to travel to the United States with proper travel/work visa (GENIUS NY has no involvement or responsibility in securing participation entry documentation.)
Program Timeline (one-year in-residence accelerator in Syracuse, NY)
January 28, 2026 – Cohort 10 Applications
May 17, 2026 (11:59 EST) – Applications Close
Week of June 22, 2026 – Semi-Finalists Announced
July 8 – 10, 2026 – Semi-Finalists Interviews (virtual or in-person)
Week of July 27, 2026 – Finalists Announced (5 companies selected, with 2 alternates)
Week of September 8, 2026 – Start of GENIUS NY Accelerator in Syracuse, NY
Support Partners
Genius NY gets support and resources from the partners listed below. These partners work with teams at various stages and are vested in the success of your business.
An Ecosystem of Tech Startups
CenterState CEO's INSPYRE Innovation Hub is home to the GENIUS NY startup accelerator. It is the place in Central New York for tech entrepreneurs to find a full range of incubation services needed to achieve their venture goals. INSPYRE Innovation Hub members are assessed and offered programs, events, and resources in tailored packages from co-working, where entrepreneurs can connect and work, to full-service incubation that delivers a business case, pitch deck, and funding opportunities.
Economic Development and Business Leadership
CenterState CEO's INSPYRE Innovation Hub is part of its Inclusive Growth portfolio. CenterState CEO is an independent and forward-thinking economic development strategist, business leadership organization and chamber of commerce; dedicated to the success of its members and the prosperity of the region. Its vision is for a vibrant and globally connected region recognized as a place where business thrives and people prosper. CenterState CEO provides connections to nearly 2,000 member businesses of all sizes across Central and Northern New York.
CNY Rising
In support and implementation of GENIUS NY, Empire State Development and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul designated $5 million in funding for GENIUS NY. This program intends to expand the success of similar economic incubator/startup acceleration programs in other regions of the State, bringing new vitality and involvement in the 21st century global market.