Grow-NY Summit to Award $3 Million to Global Startups Redefining Food, Agriculture and Sustainability

Summit roundtables give attendees and media direct access to insider strategies, emerging trends and future-focused debates

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Grow-NY, the largest global food and agriculture business competition, will host its annual Food & Ag Summit on Wednesday, Nov. 12 and Thursday, Nov. 13in Canandaigua, New York at the Hotel Canandaigua. Attendees have the option to participate in the Summit in person or virtually. The two-day event features 20 global startups competing for $3 million in prize money, including a $1 million grand prize. 

The Summit will showcase live pitches and symposium discussions with industry leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. It is open to startups, investors, researchers, students, media and anyone interested in agriculture technology, food production and sustainability. 

This year's Summit will feature startup-focused networking with a series of interactive roundtable discussions designed to spark bold conversations and actionable insights. From uncovering real-world applications of AI on the farm to hearing inside strategies for breaking into Whole Foods Market, these sessions will give attendees direct access to experts and industry insiders. The roundtables offer rare opportunities for media to capture unfiltered perspectives and storylines at the forefront of food and ag innovation. More detailed information on the roundtable discussions can be found here.

In addition to hosting a roundtable discussion on AI and machine learning applications on farms, Farm Credit East is sponsoring "Ask an Expert" luncheons both days of the Summit. Farm Credit experts will be on site during lunch to offer one on one consultation on pressing topics that impact businesses commercializing, purchasing, or utilizing food and ag tech.

"Grow-NY is more than a competition — it's a catalyst for innovation in food and agriculture, and Farm Credit East is proud to be a sponsor. The region's unique blend of natural resources, research institutions, and collaborative networks creates an ideal launchpad for startups. As a judge, I've seen firsthand how this ecosystem empowers entrepreneurs to scale solutions that strengthen our food system and drive meaningful change," said Anthony Colangelo, Farm Credit East Senior Innovation & AI Lead and Grow-NY competition judge.

Registration is now open. All-access, in-person admission is $85 for general attendees and $25 for students. Discounts for schools may be available, and no one will be turned away due to the inability to pay. The full pitch competition and symposium panels also will be broadcast live online, and virtual attendance is free of charge. Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. 

To register for the Summit and learn more about the competition and its finalists, visit grow-ny.com.

This year, 270 startups from around the world applied for the competition. The 20 finalists were selected in August and have each since been paired with a mentor who will lead them through the business development phase of their startup plan. Each finalist focused on exploring the regional resources available to help grow and scale their startups in Upstate New York and ultimately support their business pitches. During the live pitch, each finalist will receive 10 minutes to present their business plans, with the remaining 10 minutes set aside for questions from the panel of judges. 

"The Summit is a must-attend event for startups wanting to scale their food and ag businesses. It is a chance to connect with resources that help them make it into customers' hands, network with thought leaders and potential strategic partners, and hear live pitches from the most innovative and high-growth potential ventures in the world," said Jenn Smith, Program Director, Grow-NY. 

The event culminates with an Awards Ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 at The Lake House in Canandaigua, where winners of the $1 million top prize, two $500,000 prizes and four $250,000 prizes will be announced. The Awards Ceremony will include a reception featuring a locally sourced and regionally inspired dinner. Advanced registration separate from the Summit is required and costs $75. Register here as a part of your Summit registration. 

About Empire State Development 
Empire State Development (ESD) promotes a vigorous and growing state economy, encourages business investment and job creation, and supports diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance. To learn more about ESD visit https://esd.ny.gov. 

About the Cornell Center for Regional Economic Advancement 
The Cornell Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA) supports economic growth in Upstate New York through entrepreneurship and innovation. We help people advance ideas that will create jobs in all fields in our region, to enrich the area's economic diversity. To learn more, visit https://crea.cornell.edu. 

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SOURCE Grow-NY