Empire State Development Announces Finalists for GENIUS NY Cohort 9

Five Finalists Will 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, NY — Empire State Development (ESD) today 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.