Technological watch
Governor Hochul Announces Round Seven Winners of the Grow-NY International Food and Agriculture Business Competition
© Office of Gv. Kathy Hochul
Each winning company will establish operations in the region for at least one year and provide a modest equity stake to Cornell University, helping to fund future food and agriculture entrepreneurship programs. The competition is administered by Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement and is focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions.
“The round seven winners of the Grow-NY competition represent some of the most innovative and forward-thinking agribusiness entrepreneurs from around the world that will take our state’s food and agriculture sector to the next level,” Governor Hochul said. “Through Grow-NY, my administration is doubling down on its commitment to driving economic growth in every part of our state, sparking innovation, and creating the jobs and opportunities that will move New York forward.”
Brekland is building a novel, biodegradable foam coating that brings new, in-field functionality to crop protection products.
Founder and CEO of Brekland Eric Bellefroid said, “Winning the $1 million grand prize at the Grow-NY Summit is an incredible honor and a defining moment for our team. This recognition affirms the strength of our team, our technology, and our mission to move the crop protection industry forward. The Grow-NY community, our mentor, and the connections we have made in the region have prepared us to continue growing in upstate New York. With this award, we look forward to making an impact on the Grow-NY region and beyond.”
The finalist teams were provided with expert mentorship and guidance as they developed their business plans leading up to the Summit. During the event, they presented their pitches to a panel of seven judges with expertise in agriculture, food production and venture development.
Other 2025 winners included:$500,000 Winner: Mothership Materials, New York, NY – Mothership Materials transforms agricultural waste into carbon-negative feedstocks — such as glucose and cellulose — that power the foods, fuels and fabrics of the future.
$500,000 Winner: Seen Nutrition, Ithaca, NY – Seen Nutrition is a food tech startup in the menopause market, initially focused on bone health, with a patented dietary calcium chew made with dairy produced in Central New York.
$250,000 Winner: Living Ink Technologies, Berthoud, CO – Living Ink repurposes renewable biomass waste, like algae, into sustainable black printing inks and pigments.
$250,000 Winner: Trebe Biotech, Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina – Trebe Biotech uses insect larvae to produce faster, more scalable and cost-efficient bioproducts for animal health, such as recombinant proteins and vaccines.
$250,000 Winner: Whipnotic, New York, NY – With a patented nozzle technology, Whipnotic creates whipped creams infused with all-natural fruit juices and flavor Essences.
$250,000 Winner: ZILA BioWorks, Renton, WA – ZILA converts vegetable oils into high performance, low carbon, recyclable bio-epoxy resins for use in industrial composites, coatings and adhesives.
The public also participated in the competition by voting for the “Wegmans Audience Choice” award, which went to Learn more about the Grow-NY competition here.
Accelerating Economic Development in the Finger LakesToday’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture? and food production, and advanced manufacturing. More information is available here.
Accelerating Economic Development in Central NYToday’s announcement complements “CNY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. More information is available here.
Accelerating Economic Development in the Southern TierToday’s announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving next-generation innovation. More information is available here.
About Empire State DevelopmentEmpire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov.
- Seven Global Startups to Receive $3 Million Total for Transforming the Future of Food and Farming, Including $1 Million Grand Prize for Brekland
- Competition is Supported by Empire State Development and Builds on CNY Rising, Finger Lakes Forward and Southern Tier Soaring Regional Strategies
Each winning company will establish operations in the region for at least one year and provide a modest equity stake to Cornell University, helping to fund future food and agriculture entrepreneurship programs. The competition is administered by Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement and is focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions.
“The round seven winners of the Grow-NY competition represent some of the most innovative and forward-thinking agribusiness entrepreneurs from around the world that will take our state’s food and agriculture sector to the next level,” Governor Hochul said. “Through Grow-NY, my administration is doubling down on its commitment to driving economic growth in every part of our state, sparking innovation, and creating the jobs and opportunities that will move New York forward.”
Brekland is building a novel, biodegradable foam coating that brings new, in-field functionality to crop protection products.
Founder and CEO of Brekland Eric Bellefroid said, “Winning the $1 million grand prize at the Grow-NY Summit is an incredible honor and a defining moment for our team. This recognition affirms the strength of our team, our technology, and our mission to move the crop protection industry forward. The Grow-NY community, our mentor, and the connections we have made in the region have prepared us to continue growing in upstate New York. With this award, we look forward to making an impact on the Grow-NY region and beyond.”
The finalist teams were provided with expert mentorship and guidance as they developed their business plans leading up to the Summit. During the event, they presented their pitches to a panel of seven judges with expertise in agriculture, food production and venture development.
Other 2025 winners included:$500,000 Winner: Mothership Materials, New York, NY – Mothership Materials transforms agricultural waste into carbon-negative feedstocks — such as glucose and cellulose — that power the foods, fuels and fabrics of the future.
$500,000 Winner: Seen Nutrition, Ithaca, NY – Seen Nutrition is a food tech startup in the menopause market, initially focused on bone health, with a patented dietary calcium chew made with dairy produced in Central New York.
$250,000 Winner: Living Ink Technologies, Berthoud, CO – Living Ink repurposes renewable biomass waste, like algae, into sustainable black printing inks and pigments.
$250,000 Winner: Trebe Biotech, Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina – Trebe Biotech uses insect larvae to produce faster, more scalable and cost-efficient bioproducts for animal health, such as recombinant proteins and vaccines.
$250,000 Winner: Whipnotic, New York, NY – With a patented nozzle technology, Whipnotic creates whipped creams infused with all-natural fruit juices and flavor Essences.
$250,000 Winner: ZILA BioWorks, Renton, WA – ZILA converts vegetable oils into high performance, low carbon, recyclable bio-epoxy resins for use in industrial composites, coatings and adhesives.
The public also participated in the competition by voting for the “Wegmans Audience Choice” award, which went to Learn more about the Grow-NY competition here.
Accelerating Economic Development in the Finger LakesToday’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture? and food production, and advanced manufacturing. More information is available here.
Accelerating Economic Development in Central NYToday’s announcement complements “CNY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. More information is available here.
Accelerating Economic Development in the Southern TierToday’s announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving next-generation innovation. More information is available here.
About Empire State DevelopmentEmpire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870292.
