Business After Hours

Join us at ELITE Gaming for an inside look at their state-of-the-art gaming facility in downtown Syracuse and learn how they’re partnering with school districts all over New York State to create innovative engaging esports and learning opportunities for students.

You’ll also have the chance to meet the Cohort 9 finalists of GENIUS NY — visionary startups advancing uncrewed systems, technology, and innovation. These companies are growing their businesses right here in Central New York and are eager to connect with local partners, customers, and early adopters who can help them succeed.

The GENIUS NY teams will compete for a total of $3 million in direct investment, including one grand prize of up to $1 million and four $500,000 awards. Operated by CenterState CEO and funded by Empire State Development, GENIUS NY is the world’s largest accelerator for uncrewed systems and robotics companies. The program brings startups to Central New York for a yearlong, in-residence accelerator that provides product and business development support, access to investors, and connections with the regional business community. Each team commits to operating their business out of CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub for at least one year as they grow and scale.

Meet the GENIUS NY Teams:

Flox (Stockholm, Sweden): AI that understands and speaks to wild animals—running on Edge pods, drones, and trains —to steer wildlife away from critical areas.

Lamarr AI (New York, USA): Uses drones and AI to inspect building exteriors, delivering faster, more affordable, and more accurate data than traditional methods.

Lighthouse Avionics (Ohio, USA): Offers low-cost optical solutions to monitor low-altitude airspace for drone threats, bird strikes, and FAA compliance.

Modovolo (New York, USA): A drone company building low-cost, modular aircraft with extended flight times, designed for a wide range of commercial and defense uses.

Skyfire AI (New Jersey, USA): Deploys autonomous drone swarms and AI to improve response times and situational awareness for first responders and defense teams.

Cost: $15 for members/clients; $30 for non members