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Rochester Labs, two Batavia-area firms competing for Grow-NY prize money
The Grow-NY pitch competition takes place Wednesday and Thursday in Ithaca, with winners announced on Thursday evening. (Photo provided by Grow-NY)
The Grow-NY pitch competition takes place Wednesday and Thursday in Ithaca, with winners announced on Thursday evening. (Photo provided by Grow-NY)
Rochester Labs, two Batavia-area firms competing for Grow-NY prize money
Three area startups, including Rochester-based Benchmark Labs, will compete this week for the $1 million top prize in the 2024 Grow-NY competition.
Benchmark Labs, UdderWays of Albion (Orleans County) and Zordi of Oakfield (Genesee County) were among 20 finalists chosen from 312 applicants representing 50 countries.
The finalists take part in the Shark Tank-like pitch competition on Wednesday and Thursday at the Grow-NY Summit in Ithaca, with winners announced Thursday evening.
Seven companies will split the $3 million prize purse. Along with the $1 million top prize, there are two $500,000 awards and four $250,000 awards.
Benchmark Labs’ AI technology provides weather forecasts, recommendations and alerts to help farmers increase production and yield, improvement management activities and protect against extreme weather events such as frost, heat spikes or powdery mildew.
UdderWays uses brushless technology to stimulate cows and ensure clean and try teats. With the startup’s patented vortex-style application, farmers can achieve consistent stimulation and effortlessly promote milk letdown.
Zorid builds autonomous greenhouses with robots and AI to make high-quality produce available anywhere.
Sponsored by Empire State Development and Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement, Grow-NY provides mentoring, business development support and, for the seven winners, financial assistance to startups in the food, beverage and agriculture sectors.
The purpose of the contest is to invigorate the agriculture economy in the 22 counties within the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Central regions of New York. Winners must meet contest criteria, including establishment of a physical presence in one of the three regions for at least one year.
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