FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is proud to announce the winner of the 2025 Innovate Green Pitch Competition, held on April 12, 2025 at the Moonshot Flagstaff Campus. The annual competition invites local entrepreneurs to showcase business ideas that promote environmental sustainability and compete for up to $30,000 in prizes.
Flagstaff business TechGenie, led by Flagstaff entrepreneur Jay Jones, was awarded first place and the full $30,000 cash prize for its patent-pending design of a vertical food-growing system. Jay’s pitch stood out among the competitive field of community members and contributes to community resilience by creating new local food options while utilizing fewer resources like water. TechGenie is an aeroponic, sustainable agriculture system that will grow food using 90% less water and at a 50% faster rate than traditional farming. Aeroponic systems are a solution for those living in smaller spaces or lacking access to outdoor growing spaces. The prize funds can go towards further concept development, purchasing equipment or materials, manufacturing, marketing, or implementing the concept.
Winner Jay Jones remarked that sustainability is engrained throughout the entire process of his business, and the value of the competition: “The application process was super easy—I actually did it from my phone… [and] the feedback I got during the workshop really helped refine my pitch. The funding will support the purchase of machinery necessary for product manufacturing and business scaling.”
The Innovate Green initiative is a partnership between the City’s Economic Development and Sustainability teams and is one of several City initiatives aimed at supporting businesses dedicated to a sustainable future. It underscores the City’s commitment to creative climate action by advancing environmental innovation through education, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration.
For related questions, please contact Creag Znetko, City of Flagstaff Economic Development Administrator at CZnetko@flagstaffaz.gov