GENIUS NY

GENIUS NY is Empire State Development's uncrewed-systems accelerator in Central New York, operated by CenterState CEO. The program focuses on drones, robotics, and autonomous systems, and it is described as the world's largest accelerator in that category. Its structure combines a prize competition with a year-long residency, so finalists are not only selected for funding but also pulled into the region. The annual round selects five finalists. The grand prize winner receives $1 million, while the four runners-up receive $500,000 each, putting the prize range between $500,000 and $1 million. Finalists must relocate operations to Central New York for the in-residence program, and the route is limited to commercial teams working in drones, robotics, or autonomous systems. This is a fit for companies that can prove they belong in an operationally demanding hardware or autonomy stack and can commit to the move. The residency requirement matters as much as the prize, because the program is meant to embed teams in the local ecosystem while they develop. Applicants do best when they already have a credible product path and can use the year in New York as a launch window.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.