GENIUS NY 2017 Teams Make Final Pitch at Innovation Celebration Event December 12

​What a year it has been for the first round of GENIUS NY finalists. They were welcomed to Central New York back in January to start the year-long accelerator focused on unmanned aerial systems (UAS). They are now closing in on graduation as GENIUS NY 2.0 will soon select six more UAS teams for next year's program.

The six current teams will make their final pitch on December 12 at the Innovation Celebration event at the CNY Biotech Accelerator. The event, sponsored by The Tech Garden, Upstate Venture Connect and Upstate Capital Association will bring together upstate investors, community leaders and program partners. Tickets can be purchased here, as well as day of.

The GENIUS NY teams have already received nearly $3 million in investment and are now looking for follow-on investment to further advance the success they have already achieved. Together the teams have hired 8 employees, 6 interns and spent an average of $250K on local service providers. When the first round of the program ends later this month five of the six teams will remain in Syracuse to continue operations and growth. Learn more about the teams here. 

At the event six new teams will be announced as finalists for the second round of the program. They will move into The Tech Garden in January to begin competing for $3 million in prizes. The companies, which are developing innovations in unmanned aircraft systems, were selected from a pool of more than 250 submissions. ​See the 16 semi-finalists in the running for GENIUS NY 2.0.

Along with the GENIUS NY material, attendees will also hear from leading experts on how building effective boards can make great companies, including national expert Ana Dutra, leadership development expert and CEO of The Executives’ Club of Chicago, Marc Viggiano from Saab Sensis and Somak Chattopadyay of Armory Square Ventures.
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​Spots are filling up fast! Tickets are $75. Upstate Capital members receive a discounted price of $35, email [email protected] to get your discounted code.

UAS investors will also receive a discounted price, email [email protected] to get your discounted code. 

For more information on the event contact Kara Alheim at [email protected].