Yearly, a handful of hopeful drone startups pack their luggage (and propellers) and head to Syracuse, New York. To mainstream audiences, it’s a lace higher identified for snowstorms and Orange basketball than cutting-edge tech.
However the drone trade is aware of higher. Why? As a result of GENIUS NY, the world’s greatest UAS and robotics accelerator, is dangling a $1 million test in entrance of them. And this yr, 11 semifinalists from across the globe simply made the shortlist for that very prize as a part of the 2025 GENIUS NY accelerator.
GENIUS NY is backed by CenterState CEO and invests greater than $3 million yearly in 5 finalist firms. That features the large kahuna: a single, dramatic, seven-figure test awarded stay on stage at “Innovation Night time.” That evening is ready for spring 2026 — a far out deadline that is likely to be vital to offer groups extra time to, nicely, be geniuses.
So, who’s within the operating?
The subsequent drone unicorn? 11 firms are vying for $1 million within the 2025 GENIUS NY accelerator
A number of the greatest names taking part within the 2025 GENIUS NY accelerator embody:
- Alerion (Spain): Constructing drones that received’t explode in explosive environments.
- Skyfire AI (New Jersey): Making drone swarms for first responders.
- Lamarr AI (New York): Drones that examine constructing exteriors quicker and cheaper than people on scaffolding. I just lately took a deep dive into Lamarr AI’s constructing inspection software program.
- Modovolo (additionally NY): Assume Lego-style drones, however for critical business and protection use.
- IONA (UK): A full-stack drone supply answer.
Different contenders are throwing down with radar programs (Lighthouse Avionics), animal-feeding robots (Vetkiosk, from Argentina), and even Vertiport-as-a-Service (Kookiejar, a Swedish startup).
Notably, at the very least eight of the 11 semifinalists are straight drone-focused, whereas others play in the identical sandbox of robotics, sensors and good infrastructure for airborne tech.
GENIUS NY is having a second
This yr’s cohort drew 91 purposes, with over half from U.S.-based firms and 60% within the “validation” stage (startup converse for “this factor really works”). Greater than 43% of candidates additionally recognized as ladies, minority, or veteran-owned—an enormous deal in an trade usually criticized for being overwhelmingly homogenous.
“This spherical noticed report curiosity from U.S. and worldwide startups,” mentioned Kara Jones, GENIUS NY director.
We’ve adopted GENIUS NY in previous protection, and it’s clear the bar is getting increased yearly. This cohort would possibly simply embody the following Skydio or Zipline… or the long run inventor of a drone that lastly delivers tacos to my apartment in San Francisco.
What occurs subsequent?
In August, 5 of the 11 semifinalists will likely be topped finalists and can start their transfer to Syracuse in September. From there, it’s bootstraps, enterprise plans, and (hopefully) an enormous payday come spring 2026.
So what occurs when you win? Finalists should transfer to Syracuse for a yr (sure, even when they’re from Sweden or Argentina), embed themselves within the area’s drone ecosystem, and attempt to construct an organization that may go the gap. The accelerator has already pumped practically $24 million into drone and robotics startups, with alumni elevating $350 million in follow-on funding and creating a whole lot of jobs in upstate New York.
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