gener8tor Sustainability Accelerator
Accelerating and investing in sustainability and climate tech startups. This 12 week program invests $100k in five startups per cohort, twice a year, working at the forefront of our climate crisis.
About the Program
The gener8tor Sustainability Accelerator invests $100k in five cutting-edge sustainability and climate tech startups and provides them with the coaching and connections they need to build and grow their business. This program is open to any startup that is focused on solving, mitigating, or adapting to our current climate and environmental crises and engages with founders that reflect the diverse communities impacted by climate change. See the latest gener8tor Investment Accelerator statistics here.
We believe that solving one of our gravest challenges is a critical responsibility, but also an unprecedented opportunity. It will require the brightest and the boldest to come together, roll up their sleeves and do the hard things that solving the greatest problems necessitate. It will require passionate founders with grit, determination and curiosity. And most of all, it will require a belief that a better future is not only possible, but essential.
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We are not currently accepting applications for this program.
Stay tuned. While there aren't any upcoming programs for this location at the moment, there are plenty of other available opportunities at gener8tor!
Investment
Selected teams will receive a $100,000 investment in return for 7.5% equity in your company using a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE).
Strategic Network
We make highly relevant and impactful connections to corporate partners, investors and experienced mentors to help you scale your impact. Build relationships within the cohort of five companies, and the community of gener8tor alumni.
Focused Support
1 of 5…not 10…not 15…not 100. We only invest in five companies per program. We focus all of our time, energy and network on you.
Mentorship, Coaching & One-on-One Meetings
Twelve weeks of individualized coaching and mentorship from the gener8tor team during bi-weekly, one-on-one meetings. One-on-one meetings with 100+ connections including serial entrepreneurs, industry experts and investors.
Deals and Perks
$1M + in deals and perks from vendors like IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, PayPal, Zendesk, Hubspot and Microsoft.
Showcase Event
Exclusive reception during which participating companies have the opportunity to pitch to an audience of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and community members.
Meet the Spring 2023 Sustainability Cohort
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![Asoba Clean Energy Logo]()
Asoba Clean Energy
Asoba helps renewable energy off takers across southern Africa turn excess battery storage into additional lines of revenue through its software-based virtual power plant solution.
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![Baleena Logo]()
Baleena
Baleena closes the loop with a platform to capture and recirculate textile waste and prevent the flow of microplastic fibers into our waterways.
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![Demi Logo]()
Demi
Demi simplifies composting through its tech-enabled, "compost-as-a-service" system for residential & commercial buildings.
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![REint Logo]()
REint
REint provides accurate forecasts for solar and wind energy, as well as electricity load demand using its AI powered platform.
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![SilisiumTech Logo]()
SilisiumTech Inc.
SilisiumTech decarbonizes the US solar supply chain by producing a silicon wafer that is half the cost and creates half the greenhouse gas emissions as the alternative.
Meet the Fall 2022 Sustainability Cohort
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![Candidus]()
Candidus
Candidus reduces energy usage for greenhouses through an IoT platform that delivers data-driven lighting strategies.
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![Cedar Carbon]()
Cedar Carbon
Cedar Carbon develops carbon removal solutions for urban environments by piggybacking off existing and underutilized infrastructure as a way to reduce costs and decarbonize cities.
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![Gentian]()
Gentian
Gentian provides proprietary remote surveys for biodiversity assessment using AI and remote sensing technology.
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![Phoenix Waste Solutions]()
Phoenix Waste Solutions
Phoenix provides revolutionary waste management technology which thermally reduces 5 tons of unsorted municipal solid waste into 2% ash per day, without using fuel or producing toxic emissions
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![Rego]()
Rego
Rego powers the circular economy for multifamily communities, starting with bulky, hard-to-recycle items such as furniture. We plan to save multifamily communities over 80% of the time, and upwards of 40% of the cost of managing bulky items.
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![Rushnu]()
Rushnu
Rushnu decarbonizes heavy industry through a proprietary process that makes carbon capture and utilization technology more energy efficient (by at least 75%) and economical (by making a profit on the reusable feedstock from CO2).
Meet the Spring 2022 Sustainability Cohort
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blip energy
blip energy expands access to energy storage by offering a smart and affordable second-life battery that brings resilience, cost savings and IOT energy management to any and every home.
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It's Electric
itselectric provides access to curbside EV charging in urban neighborhoods, accelerating the transition to electric vehicles for the millions of drivers who rely on street parking.
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Carbon Yield
Carbon Yield accelerates the transition to regenerative agricultural practices by helping farmers access meaningful value from carbon markets.
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Mycocycle
Mycocycle innovates traditional waste management practices through a patent-pending process that uses fungi to remove toxins from trash to create reusable value streams.
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SolarSteam, Inc.
SolarSteam provides renewable concentrated solar heat technology that reduces emissions and lowers costs for high-emitting industrial processes.
What We’re
Looking For
The gener8tor Sustainability Accelerator program is open to any startup that is focused on solving, mitigating, or adapting to our current climate and environmental crises, and it is open to teams based anywhere in the world. Since the solutions to climate change are complex and overarching, we are focusing on startups driving systemic change and look to engage with founders that reflect the diverse communities climate change is impacting.
Focus on Systemic Change
We prioritize startups focused on driving systemic change at the corporate, government, and community level, as well as founders that embrace sustainability as a way to transform antiquated industries. Founders from across the world that focus on climate tech, sustainability, circular economy, decarbonization, renewables, conservation or environmental justice are encouraged to apply.
Scalable Business Model
We focus on startups that have the opportunity for significant and scalable economic impact. If you are generating revenue or have a clear path toward greater adoption, we urge you to apply.
Can We Help?
Based on our expertise in sales, marketing, go-to-market, strategy and fundraising, we select startups that are primed for growth. If you are at a point where our network, resources and expertise can scale your impact, we urge you to apply.
Passionate and Dedicated Founders
Solving the climate crises requires diverse experiences from the communities impacted most. We seek out marginalized founders from underrepresented geographies who may have been passed over by mainstream investors and accelerators. If you fit this bill, we urge you to apply.
OUR PARTNERS IN SUSTAINABILITY
PREMIER PARTNER
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have more questions about our program? Browse our most frequently asked questions and answers here.
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Applications are open to teams based anywhere in the world. While this program will be virtually held, parts of the program may be held in Chicago, Illinois if safety permits. Ideal participants are focused on solving, mitigating or adapting to our current climate and environmental crises. Since the solutions to climate change are complex and overarching, we are focusing on startups driving systemic change and look to engage with founders that reflect the diverse communities climate change is impacting.
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Selected teams will receive a $100,000 investment in return for 7.5% equity in your company using a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE).
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YES! Mentors are crucial to the success of the our programs. Once per week during the program, we invite a mentors to "speed network" with each of the participating startups over a two-hour session. Due to COVID-19, these mentor sessions are virtual so the teams can benefit from your expertise regardless of where you are located.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please fill out this interest form.
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We welcome climate tech companies from across the world, and you are eligible to apply! We ask that any non-US companies selected for the program incorporate in the state of Delaware as a Delaware C-Corp, if they have not already. Incorporation in Delaware is required in order for gener8tor to invest in the company, and most US investors prefer Delaware C-Corps, as well.
Meet Our team
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Ryan Jeffery
Senior Managing Director
Ryan Jeffery is an experienced entrepreneur, investor and advisor who helps leaders and organizations do their best work. With over a decade of experience founding and building high-growth organizations, Ryan is focused on supporting early-stage companies at the forefront of our climate and environmental crisis. Ryan is a three-time founder (one acquired), investor, board member, and advisor to numerous startups.
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Soham Dalal
Managing Director, Sustainability & Climate
Soham is an electrical engineer turned investor. He spent more than half a decade working with Electric Utilities helping modernize their infrastructure by designing and managing $MM projects. He got his MBA from Northwestern Kellogg with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital before pivoting into the world of Venture Capital. By leveraging his engineering and business backgrounds, he is focused on accelerating early-stage startups achieve their full potential and solve our climate crisis.
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Dexter Artienda
Program Manager
Dexter Artienda brings over a decade of experience in education where he worked on numerous equity and social impact initiatives. He is dedicated to supporting and fostering the growth of companies that are at the forefront of solving our climate crisis. Growing up in Hawaiʻi, Dexter learned first hand how it is our kuleana (responsibility) to empower our communities to build innovative and equitable climate solutions so that future generations also have a place to call home.
More Information
Learn more our mission, meet our program alumni and explore how to become a Mentor.
Find a Program
Get an overview of gener8tor’s various program offerings and find the right program fit for you.