Closed
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Timeline
- Open Date : March 1, 2026
- Closing date : May 15, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Grow-NY Food & Agriculture Startup Competition awards up to $1 million to high-growth food and agtech startups. The program supports innovative food and agriculture businesses through mentoring, business development support, and prize money.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : March 1, 2026
- Closing date : May 15, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Food and agriculture startup competition.
- Pitching innovative business ideas.
- Mentoring and business development for finalists.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- High-growth food startups
- High-growth agtech startups
- Startups from any country
Who is not eligible
- Sole proprietorships.
- Non-profit organizations.
- Retail businesses.
- Gaming and gambling businesses.
- Residential real estate businesses.
Eligible geographic areas
- Any state or country.
- Grow-NY Region in New York State.
- Central New York, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier regions.
Selection criteria
- Team strength and readiness.
- Commercial viability and business model.
- Customer value and market potential.
- Growth potential and job creation.
- Food and agriculture innovation.
How to apply
- Step 1: Create an account and complete the online application.
- Step 2: Submit the application by the deadline.
- Step 3: If selected, take part in finalist mentoring and business development.
- Step 4: Pitch to the judging panel at the summit.
- Step 5: Wait for winner announcements.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed and up to 20 finalists are selected.
- Finalists pitch to a judging panel in the region.
- Winners are selected and announced after the pitch competition.
- A prize agreement is required before award payment.
- Payments are made in stages based on milestone completion.
Additional information
- Up to 20 finalists are paired with experienced mentors as part of the competition process.
- Finalists receive customized business development trips to the Grow-NY region.
- A total of $3 million in awards is distributed annually among seven startups, with the top prize being $1 million.
- The Grow-NY Pitch Competition & Summit takes place in Canandaigua, NY on November 12-13, 2025.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition Program
What is the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition?
The Grow-NY Food & Agriculture Startup Competition awards up to $1 million to high-growth food and agtech startups. The program supports innovative food and agriculture businesses through mentoring, business development support, and prize money.
How much funding can be received?
Food & Agriculture Startup Competition Funds up to $1,000,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was May 15, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition program?
To be eligible for the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition program, you must:
Registered formative-stage business.
Early-stage, scalable startup.
Food and agriculture focus.
What expenses are eligible under Food & Agriculture Startup Competition?
Food and agriculture startup competition.
Pitching innovative business ideas.
Mentoring and business development for finalists.
Who can I contact for more information about the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition?
You can contact Grow-NY by email at grow-ny@cornell.edu.
Where is the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition available?
The Food & Agriculture Startup Competition program is available across Canada.