GENIUS NY

GENIUS NY is an accelerator program located in Syracuse, New York, established in 2017. It focuses on fostering innovation by investing in companies involved in technology sectors such as uncrewed aerial systems, the Internet of Things, big data, precision and remote sensing, smart city applications, data collection and analytics, guidance and communication systems, sensors, and robotics. The program is known for its significant investment opportunities, offering grand prizes of up to $1 million, along with additional funding, stipends, housing, resources, and programming support. With backing from Empire State Development, GENIUS NY stands as one of the largest competitions of its kind globally, aiming to cultivate growth and development within the tech ecosystem.

Kara Jones

Director

Past deals in Drones

Aerialoop Corp

Grant in 2024
Aerialoop is focused on creating a drone delivery network aimed at enhancing accessibility and closing delivery gaps. The company is developing advanced technologies to establish a drone delivery airline that adheres to the high safety and operational standards found in the civilian airline industry. This innovative network enables clients to transport goods efficiently by allowing them to schedule deliveries, choose routes, and set the timing, frequency, and volume of shipments. Aerialoop's mission is to facilitate easy access to essential products and services for communities, ultimately improving the quality of life through advanced drone delivery solutions.

Archangel Imaging

Seed Round in 2022
Archangel Imaging specializes in advanced AI for cameras and GNSS-denied navigation systems, empowering machines to operate autonomously as reliable team members. They focus on supporting users in remote, challenging environments such as police, first responders, and NGOs in both the UK and US. Their products include Xnaut AI co-pilots for mission-level navigation decisions, Argonaut smart cameras for infrastructure-independent operation, and Cerebella human-machine teaming mission management software.

AVSS - Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions

Seed Round in 2022
Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc. is a Canadian company based in Rothesay, established in 2017, specializing in safety technology for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and air taxis. The company develops advanced parachute recovery systems designed to enhance the safety of commercial drones, including models such as the DJI M200 Series and Aeryon Labs/FLIR SkyRanger. AVSS's innovative solutions enable users to deploy a spring-deployed parachute quickly and efficiently, allowing for onsite replacement without the need for extensive downtime or international shipping for repacking. This technology empowers pilots to operate drones confidently over populated areas and beyond visual line of sight, prioritizing safety and reliability in aerial operations.

Fusion Engineering

Seed Round in 2022
Fusion Engineering specializes in the development of advanced flight controllers specifically for the commercial drone market. The company focuses on creating remote piloting systems that provide reliable and flexible flight control, with hardware optimized for multirotor drones. Their innovative control algorithms ensure accurate positioning, disturbance rejection, and fault tolerance, which enhance the performance and reliability of drones. By prioritizing safety and dependability, Fusion Engineering aims to facilitate the seamless integration of drone technology into everyday life, enabling manufacturers to meet regulatory compliance and improve user experience.

Wonder Robotics

Seed Round in 2022
Wonder Robotics specializes in autonomous drone systems. Its core technology enables drones to perceive their environment in 3D using advanced computer vision inspired by human vision. The company's flagship product, WonderLand, facilitates safe and autonomous vertical take-off and landing on unprepared sites, ensuring obstacle-free precision landings.

Dronehub

Grant in 2022
Dronehub specializes in autonomous drone technologies, creating 'gas stations' for drones and intelligent cloud software for human-less monitoring. They serve clients such as the European Defence Agency, European Space Agency, and Fortune 500 companies.

Thread

Grant in 2021
Airtonomy, Inc. specializes in the development of innovative aerial imagery solutions and aircraft detection systems. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the company aims to enhance the safety of air travel by manufacturing aircraft detection lighting systems that activate red lights on wind turbines, making them visible to nearby aircraft. In addition to this, Airtonomy is focused on creating a comprehensive framework for secure, remote, autonomous multi-drone operations. Their approach integrates technical, methodological, and policy aspects to provide a holistic solution that offers significant time, cost, and accuracy benefits compared to traditional specialist contractors.

Eget Liber

Grant in 2020
Eget Liber develops an autonomous underwater vehicle that uses ultraviolet light to eliminate cyanobacterium, also known as blue-green algae, in freshwater lakes. This chemical-free technology aims to provide eco-friendly solutions for managing harmful algal blooms.

Skyy Network

Grant in 2020
Skyy Network is a developer of an open-source protocol based on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), specifically designed for the management of drone traffic. The company's software enables large-scale drone networks to operate autonomously, ensuring safety and efficiency while maintaining Byzantine Fault Tolerance to prevent data corruption. By providing a transparent and verifiable framework for airspace appropriation, Skyy Network allows governments, operators, businesses, and consumers to effectively monitor and manage aerial infrastructure. This innovative approach facilitates the transformation of logistics and transport sectors, enhancing economic opportunities by granting access to the sky for various stakeholders.

Vermeer

Grant in 2019
Vermeer specializes in mixed reality technology and AI-enabled visualization tools designed for autonomous systems operating in GPS-denied environments. It offers mission planning software and autonomous drone execution services, catering to both defense (DoD) and commercial clients.

EagleHawk

Grant in 2019
EagleHawk is a technology company that uses drone-powered data to help manage large-scale physical assets. It specializes in inspecting buildings, roofs, solar panels, and district heating systems, enabling clients to reduce maintenance costs, energy consumption, and risks.

Sentient Blue

Grant in 2019
Sentient Blue Technologies S.r.l., founded in Parma, Italy in November 2017, is an aerospace engineering company specializing in the development of efficient and environmentally friendly micro gas turbine-based power systems. These systems are primarily designed for radio-controlled aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones. The company's innovative engines are being adapted for use in combined power and heating systems, and they are also exploring novel UAV designs that leverage their technology to enhance performance beyond current capabilities. The UAVs under development are intended for various civilian applications, including search and rescue operations, environmental protection, parcel delivery, medical missions, and disaster relief. In addition to their UAV initiatives, Sentient Blue's compact microturbines are designed to integrate advanced aerospace and marine engineering techniques, promoting efficiency and safety in maritime operations.

Civ Robotics

Grant in 2019
Civ Robotics develops autonomous ground vehicles designed to automate layout and staking tasks in large-scale civil engineering projects. Their rugged rovers, equipped with high-precision receivers and integrated mission-planning software, improve land surveying efficiency by accurately marking coordinates with significantly reduced manual effort.

DropCopter

Pre Seed Round in 2018
DropCopter is a pioneering agricultural technology company that specializes in automating the pollination of orchard crops using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). By employing multi-rotor drones, DropCopter precisely distributes pollen across orchards, which significantly enhances crop yields and ensures optimal fruit set. The company's innovative approach allows farmers to increase their harvests while reducing the need for manual labor, thereby improving overall farming efficiency. In 2015, DropCopter successfully completed its patent-pending prototype and conducted the first-ever UAS pollination of orchard crops, resulting in a notable 10% boost in crop set.

Fotokite

Grant in 2018
Fotokite develops autonomous aerial robots designed to enhance situational awareness for first responders. Their patented technology enables firefighters to deploy a tethered drone with a single button press, providing thermal and regular video footage up to 45 meters high for hours at a time. This fully autonomous system delivers real-time intelligence without requiring piloting skills, helping teams assess incidents quickly and safely.

Quantifly

Grant in 2018
Quantifly automates parking and traffic studies using proprietary algorithms. Clients specify study type, duration, location, and any additional requirements. Quantifly then collects data, including photos, videos, and car counts, and generates reports within a week.

Akrobotix

Grant in 2017
Akrobotix is a research and product development startup that specializes in autonomous systems and robotics technology across various domains, including space, air, land, and sea. The company develops advanced autopilot systems tailored for fully autonomous unmanned aerial, ground, and marine vehicles. By integrating multi-modal situational awareness information, Akrobotix creates reliable and reproducible application-specific missions while effectively mitigating operational risks. This focus enables businesses to utilize industry-focused mission planning software designed for specific applications, enhancing the efficiency and safety of autonomous operations.

SkyOp

Grant in 2017
SkyOp offers unmanned aircraft systems training and curriculum licensing, including train-the-trainer programs and hands-on drone instruction. It provides a nationally recognized, high-tech curriculum and educator training designed to empower organizations and the American workforce to adopt emerging drone technologies. Services include introductory sUAS courses, public safety training, knowledge test preparation, drone flight training, and corporate training programs, along with workforce development initiatives and authorized testing support for knowledge assessments.

EZ3D Technologies

Grant in 2017
EZ3D Technologies specializes in advanced technology solutions, focusing on two primary areas: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services and aerial data collection. Their VoIP offerings allow users to make phone calls over the internet, providing businesses with effective tools to engage with potential customers and enhance sales opportunities. In addition, the company has developed a comprehensive aerial data collection platform designed for roof inspection and measurement. This platform facilitates automated inspections and precision 3D measurements of properties utilizing low-cost drones, enabling professionals to efficiently provide repair estimates, claim adjustments, and solar installation assessments. By combining innovative communication technology with cutting-edge aerial surveying, EZ3D Technologies aims to streamline processes and reduce costs for various industries.

AutoModality

Grant in 2017
AutoModality Inc. is a company that specializes in developing flight control software for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling them to operate autonomously in environments where GPS signals are unavailable. Founded in 2014 and based in Syracuse, New York, AutoModality manufactures drone platforms that utilize off-the-shelf components to facilitate automated inspections. Their technology is particularly focused on the agriculture and infrastructure sectors, allowing for close-up inspections of structures such as bridges, culverts, rolling stock, and cell towers. The company's advanced navigation software and integrated sensors enable drones to approach inspection sites closely, providing real-time quality streaming from onboard cameras to handheld devices. This capability allows users to gather critical data in challenging locations that are often difficult to access. AutoModality is also recognized for its innovative contributions to the drone industry, exemplified by Team Autero, which won the 2016 DJI SDK Challenge.

Ascent AeroSystems

Seed Round in 2017
Ascent AeroSystems is a developer and manufacturer of innovative coaxial drones specifically designed for the industrial, public safety, and military sectors. The company's distinctive cylindrical design enhances portability and durability compared to conventional multi-rotor vehicles, making them well-suited for mission-critical operations in challenging environments. Ascent AeroSystems has delivered hundreds of drones to a diverse range of clients, including professional, commercial, government, and military customers around the globe, providing them with robust aerial monitoring solutions.
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