You Won't Believe How This Brooklyn Start-Up Just Snagged a $1M AgTech Prize—Here’s What’s Next!

A Brooklyn-based startup, Brekland, has emerged as the standout winner of the seventh annual Grow-NY AgTech Business Competition, taking home a significant top prize of $1 million. The announcement was made on November 13, underscoring Brekland's innovative approach to sustainable farming through its unique biodegradable foam coating designed to enhance crop protection.

The Grow-NY competition, aimed at promoting emerging innovations in the food and agriculture sectors, allocated a total of $3 million to seven finalists this year. Brekland's product was noted for its potential to revolutionize the crop protection industry, which has long relied on chemical solutions that can harm the environment. According to the competition officials, the startup's technology not only stands out in terms of sustainability but also shows promise for significantly improving agricultural practices.

“Winning the $1 million grand prize at the Grow-NY Summit is an incredible honor and a defining moment for our team," said Eric Bellefroid, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Brekland. "This recognition affirms the strength of our team, our technology, and our mission to move the crop protection industry forward.”

A notable condition of the Grow-NY program is that winning companies must commit to establishing operations in New York and form partnerships with Cornell University, which administers the competition. This collaboration is designed to not only foster innovation but also to stimulate local economic growth by integrating these businesses into the state's agricultural ecosystem.

During this year's competition, Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the importance of the winners, describing them as trailblazers in the agribusiness landscape. "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,” said Hochul, emphasizing the role of such initiatives in driving economic growth in New York.

This year, Grow-NY attracted 270 applicants from 41 countries and 31 states. More than 50 submissions came from founders based in New York, and nearly half of all applicants featured female founders. This focus on diversity and inclusion reflects the competition's ongoing effort to support historically underinvested communities, showcasing a commitment to fostering a more equitable startup environment in the agricultural sector.

“Grow-NY exists to create lasting economic development by attracting startups and investors into our world-class agrifood ecosystem, leveraging innovation to create opportunity, supporting and creating growth for new and existing ventures alike," stated Jenn Smith, Program Director of Grow-NY.

As the agricultural industry grapples with pressing challenges such as climate change, sustainability, and food security, initiatives like Grow-NY are vital. They not only provide financial resources but also create networks that empower innovators to bring their ideas to fruition. Brekland's triumph at the competition is a clear signal of the potential for new technologies to reshape traditional practices in farming, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

With the backing of state resources and academic partnership, Brekland may well be positioned to lead a transformative shift in crop protection strategies. This could ultimately benefit not only the agricultural sector but also consumers seeking more environmentally friendly food options.