GENIUS NY Announces Semifinalists for Cohort 9

SYRACUSE, NY—CenterState CEO announced 11 companies are semifinalists for GENIUS NY program’s ninth cohort. GENIUS NY, operated by CenterState CEO, is the world’s largest business accelerator focused on uncrewed aerial systems and robotics. The in-residence program invests more than $3 million in five finalist companies annually, including a $1 million grand prize awarded at a pitch finals event.

A team of more than 50 evaluators reviewed 91 applications for semifinalist selection. More than half of applicants came from U.S. based companies and 60% identified as being in the “validation” phase, indicating a strong pipeline of companies ready for market entry and growth. The semifinalists will now compete to see which five are selected for the one-year accelerator based at CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub in downtown Syracuse, New York.

The Cohort 9 Semifinalists are: 

• Alerion (Gipuzkoa, Spain): Creators of the world’s first drone certified to safely operate in explosive environments, such as oil and gas facilities.
• Cyphra Autonomy (Missouri, USA): Designs autonomous robots that move materials around construction sites, built for easy use by everyday workers.
• Danu Robotics (Scotland, United Kingdom): Develops AI-powered robots that sort recycling materials quickly and accurately, helping waste facilities boost efficiency and reduce costs.
• Flox (Stockholm, Sweden): Transforms drones into AI-powered wildlife management tools to prevent bird strikes and protect critical infrastructure.
• IONA (London, United Kingdom): Provides a complete drone delivery solution—including aircraft, software and services—to help logistics companies scale operations.
• Kookiejar (Ostergotland, Sweden): Provides Vertiport-as-a-Service, a remote monitoring and coordination platform for helipads and next-generation air mobility hubs.
• Larmarr 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 radar systems to monitor low-altitude airspace for drone threats, bird strikes and Federal Aviation Administration compliance needs.
• 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.
• Vetkiosk (Neuquen, Argentina): A robotic feeder system that delivers individualized nutrition and medication to livestock, improving animal health and farm efficiency.

“This round saw record interest from U.S. and international startups, a testament to not only the program’s success and impact, but it's growing value and competitiveness" said Kara Jones, director of GENIUS NY. “We’re also seeing more applicants in the validation stage, indicating a strong pipeline of companies ready for market entry and growth, and over 43% of this round’s applicants identify as Minority, Veteran and/or Women-owned Business Enterprises, reflecting the program’s ongoing commitment to inclusive innovation. We're excited to see which semifinalists emerge as our top five for this year's cohort.”

Semifinalists will pitch their technologies and business plans to a panel of executive advisers. Advisers are looking for companies that will stay in the Central New York area; participate in and contribute to the region’s growing UAS ecosystem; will scale and be successful; and represent diversity of technology focus and team makeup. Finalists will be announced in August, and then finalist teams will relocate to Central New York in early September. 

Finalists will go on to pitch to a panel of judges and live audience during Innovation Night in spring 2026. Formerly in the fall after teams arrive in Central New York, Innovation Night’s new spring event allows teams more time to develop their business and become rooted in the community.

In addition to the investments, GENIUS NY finalists receive assistance with product and business development, as well as networking opportunities with investors and leaders in the region’s UAS ecosystem. Participants benefit from access to the region’s premier startup programming and are integrated into the regional effort to grow uncrewed systems in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.

Since 2017, the program has attracted more than 42 startups to Central New York. To date, nearly $24 million has been invested in participating companies, which have gone on to raise more than $350 million in follow-on funding and created hundreds of new jobs in New York state. 

Learn more about GENIUS NY, geniusny.com.

Learn more about CenterState CEO, centerstateceo.com.