Nine upstate companies have been nominated for the third annual “Coolest Thing Made in New York” contest, with the nominations announced this year in the Capital Region. The selection places the firms among a statewide group of innovators whose products will be evaluated for the award.
The contest, now in its third year, is designed to recognize innovative products that are conceived, developed, or manufactured within New York State. Organizers describe the competition as a showcase for home‑grown invention, aiming to draw attention to the breadth of creative work emerging from the region’s businesses.
Participation in the contest is intended to highlight the role of upstate enterprises in the state’s broader innovation ecosystem. By nominating nine companies from the Capital Region, the process underscores the concentration of inventive activity outside the metropolitan core and affirms the region’s contribution to New York’s reputation for cutting‑edge development.
Details of the nomination process indicate that companies were evaluated on criteria related to originality, technical merit, and potential market impact. While the specific products remain confidential until the event, the nominations signal that each firm has introduced a solution deemed noteworthy by the contest’s reviewers.
The upcoming competition will bring the nominated firms together for a final assessment, after which a winner will be announced. The award is expected to provide additional visibility for the victorious product and its creator, reinforcing the contest’s goal of promoting New York‑made innovation on a broader stage.