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Food & Agriculture Startup Competition
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Food & Agriculture Startup Competition

Global competition supporting innovative food and agriculture startups
Grow-NY
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Timeline
  • Open Date : March 1, 2025
  • Closing date : May 15, 2025
Location
Canada

Overview

The Grow-NY Food & Agriculture Startup Competition awards up to $1 million to high-growth food and agtech startups proposing innovative business ideas. The program aims to foster job creation and economic development in the Grow-NY region by supporting startups engaged in food and agriculture innovation.
/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, 2025
  • Closing date : May 15, 2025

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

  • Launching and growing innovative food and agriculture technology startups.
  • Executing business plans that create jobs and economic growth in the Upstate New York region.
  • Collaborating with local industry partners to enhance the food and agtech ecosystem.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • High-growth food startups
  • High-growth agricultural technology (agtech) startups

Eligible geographic areas

  • No specific geographical restrictions mentioned; startups from across the globe are encouraged to participate. However, the competition is focused on growth within the Grow-NY region in Upstate New York.

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

grow-ny@cornell.edu

Frequently Asked Questions about the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

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 proposing innovative business ideas. The program aims to foster job creation and economic development in the Grow-NY region by supporting startups engaged in food and agriculture innovation.

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, 2025.

Who is eligible for the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition program?

To be eligible for the Food & Agriculture Startup Competition program, you must: High-growth food and agtech startups Startups from any global location

What expenses are eligible under Food & Agriculture Startup Competition?

Launching and growing innovative food and agriculture technology startups. Executing business plans that create jobs and economic growth in the Upstate New York region. Collaborating with local industry partners to enhance the food and agtech ecosystem.

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.

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