Young entrepreneurs shine at Grow-NY youth agribusiness competition

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Cornell Cooperative Extension

Manfred Lim, a student from Jericho High School in Nassau County, New York, clinched first place and a $3,000 cash prize at the fourth annual Grow-NY Youth Competition, held Nov. 6 in Ithaca, New York. The 2024 Grow-NY Youth Competition, part of the larger Grow-NY initiative that attracts startups from around the globe to compete for a $1 million prize, is a Shark Tank-like business plan contest focused on food systems and agricultural technology.

One of eight finalists to pitch on stage, Lim’s business idea, SONDA (Selective Offshore Noise Dampening Apparatus), looks to mitigate underwater noise pollution in the marine industry. By adapting noise-canceling technology typically used in consumer electronics for underwater use, SONDA employs hydrophones to capture sound and sonar technology to emit and cancel out noise, offering an environmentally friendly solution that benefits marine life and the fishing industry.

Name Grow NY Youth Competition winner Manfred Lim — Grow NY Youth winner Manfred Lim

Featuring young innovators from across New York state, the youth competition provides a platform for students to pitch their ideas to a panel of expert judges and compete for $7,000 in prize money provided by Taste New York, a program of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

A collaborative effort between Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York State 4-H, New York Future Farmers of America, and New York Agriculture in the Classroom, the Grow-NY youth event also included pitch preparation sessions; a cheese-making workshop conducted by Dr. Bruno Xavier, associate director of the Cornell Food Venture Center; and networking opportunities with industry professionals.

“The Grow-NY Youth Competition provides a stage for students to practice their critical thinking skills and develop the ability to look at the world as problem solvers,” said Katie Carpenter, director of New York Agriculture in the Classroom.

“It’s exciting to see how young entrepreneurs are investing not only in growing their businesses but also intentionally contributing to our communities and the natural world through their agriculture and food systems innovations,” said Alexa Maille, interim New York State 4-H program leader and competition judge.

Grow-NY Youth Competition networking — Youth participate in networking opportunities at the Grow-NY Youth Competition.

Grow NY Youth Competition judges — Grow NY Youth Competition judge panel.

Grow-NY Youth Competition cheese making demonstration — Youth participate in a cheese-making workshop conducted by Dr. Bruno Xavier, associate director of the Cornell Food Venture Center.

The second-place prize of $2,000 went to BeeSafe, a project by Jericho High School students Summer Malick, Samantha Woltman, and Clay Beer. BeeSafe is a product designed to prevent wax moths from infesting beehives using a trap lamp that repels moths while maintaining bee health.

The third-place prize of $1,000 was awarded to Coconana, developed by Aiden Melendez, Daniel Pimentel, and Ramel Defran from All Hallows High School in the Bronx, N.Y. Coconana focuses on creating biodegradable packaging from agricultural waste like banana peels, coconut husks, and orange peels, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics.

Second place finishers Clay Beer, Samantha Woltman, and Summer Malick on the Grow NY Youth Competition stage.

Third place finishers Aiden Melendez, Daniel Pimentel, and Ramel Defran on the Grow NY Youth Competition stage.

Young entrepreneurs shine at Grow-NY youth agribusiness competition

For more information about the Grow-NY Youth Competition and the Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Competition, visit:

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