Brekland, a Brooklyn-based startup, on Nov. 13 was named the winner of the seventh annual Grow-NY AgTech business competition, securing the $1 million top award.
The statewide program supports emerging food and agriculture innovation and this year distributed $3 million to seven finalists. Brekland stood out for its biodegradable foam coating designed to improve crop protection, officials said.
“Winning the $1 million grand prize at the Grow-NY Summit is an incredible honor and a defining moment for our team," said Brekland Founder and Chief Executive Officer Eric Bellefroid. "This recognition affirms the strength of our team, our technology, and our mission to move the crop protection industry forward."
As part of the program, winning companies commit to establishing operations in New York and working with Cornell University, which administers the competition.
Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the winners as examples of new ideas helping drive economic growth and expand the state’s food and agriculture sector.
"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,” Hochul said.
This year, Grow-NY drew 270 applicants from 41 countries and 31 states, with more than 50 submissions coming from New York–based founders. Nearly half of all applicants included a female founder and the majority represented historically underinvested communities, reflecting the competition’s push toward more inclusive innovation.
“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," said Grow-NY Program Director Jenn Smith.
