Blueflite Wins $1 Million GENIUS NY Grand Prize

Posted On
October 6, 2023

Image
Blueflite co-founders James McClearen and Frank Noppel win GENIUS NY competiiton.

More than 200 people gathered in the grand ballroom of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown to watch innovative uncrewed aerial systems companies compete for CenterState CEO’s GENIUS NY accelerator’s $1 million grand prize. The five competing companies each pitched their industry disrupting technologies to the crowd and a panel of judges.  

At the end of the night, judges awarded blueflite the $1 million. The company offers a drone-based logistics platform. Its patented, unique, and all-electrical drone design has vertical take-off and landing capabilities, advanced maneuverability, and is built to meet the rigorous demands of commercial operations.  

“Blueflite is thrilled to have won the prestigious GENIUS NY $1 million prize, organized by CenterState CEO. We see this as a remarkable achievement and testament to our capabilities, and we are enthusiastic to begin an exciting journey strengthening our presence in the State of New York," said blueflite co-founders Frank Noppel and James McClearen. "The support from GENIUS NY has been invaluable, and we look forward to drive innovation and excellence in the drone industry, benefiting not only our company but also the communities we serve.” 

While $1 million is the grand prize, it’s not the only prize. The GENIUS NY program, administered by CenterState CEO and funded by Empire State Development, distributes a total of $3 million across the five teams. The four other finalists each received a $500,000 investment: 

  • Aloft provides software solutions for individual aircraft and full fleet management to make drone operation safer and more valuable. 

  • Greenjets creates electric propulsors that make drones safer, quieter and more sustainable.  

  • Voltela provides software that ensures a reliable and consistent communication network for uncrewed aerial systems. 

  • VOTIX supplies a hardware-agnostic platform that enables drone automation, orchestration and remote operation. 

 

Read More:

CNY Central

CNY Business Journal

Oneida Daily Dispatch

The Daily Orange

Syracuse.com

Unmanned Systems Technology

Other
Media Coverage

Image
GENIUS NY Cohort 8 Winners (2024)
Media Coverage | 12/06/2024

Commercial UAV News Covers How Upstate NY Became "Center of Drone Universe"

Commercial UAV News published an article from contributing author Justin Call, CEO of Modovolo, on how Upstate New York rose to prominence as the "Center of the Drone Universe."

Image
President Joe Biden signs CHIPS Act
Media Coverage | 11/05/2024

Leaders Share Importance of the CHIPS Act to Central New York

CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson shared a statement on the importance of the Chips and Science Act to Central New York ahead of election day.

Image
Aviant team with giant check
Media Coverage | 10/30/2024

GENIUS NY Awards $3 Million in Investments, Including $1 Million Grand Prize

GENIUS NY, the world's largest accelerator for uncrewed systems, awarded its $1 million grand prize to Aviant at its annual Innovation Night.

Image
Syracuse Surge Accelerator Full Cohort
Media Coverage | 10/23/2024

Syracuse Surge Accelerator Teams Highlighted in "Innovators" Series

Syracuse.com is highlighting the first cohort of the Syracuse Surge Accelerator, operated by CenterState CEO, in its "Innovators" series.

Image
Rob Simpson and Sheena Solomon on Bridge Street
Media Coverage | 10/17/2024

CenterState CEO President and Board Member to be Honored as 2024 Wisdom Keepers

Rob Simpson and Sheena Solomon will be honored as FOCUS Greater Syracuse's 2024 Wisdom Keepers.

Image
GENIUS NY Winner 2023 - blueflite
Media Coverage | 10/08/2024

Syracuse.com Highlights GENIUS NY, Central New York's UAS Ecosystem

A recent article on Syracuse.com takes a close look at the thriving UAS ecosystem in Central New York, including CenterState CEO's GENIUS NY program.

Image
Rob on Technical.ly
Media Coverage | 08/20/2024

CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson Talks Tech Hubs on Technical.ly's Culture Builder Live

Rob Simpson recently joined Technical.ly CEO Chris Wink on the Culture Builder Live series to talk about the NY SMART I-Corridor's award through the federal Tech Hubs program.

Image
Surge Accelerator Graduation All Teams
Media Coverage | 08/12/2024

Syracuse Surge Accelerator Celebrates Five Teams Completing Yearlong Program

CenterState CEO and its partners celebrated the five teams that recently completed the Syracuse Surge Accelerator program during an event at Le Moyne College.

Image
NY Smart I-Corridor consortium partners
Media Coverage | 07/15/2024

Opinion Piece Shares Accolades on Wins for CNY Semiconductor Industry

The NY SMART I-Corridor is the only consortium focused on the semiconductor industry to receive a federal Tech Hub award.