Accelerating Sustainability &
Climate Tech Startups
gener8tor runs several programs focused on investing in and supporting startups at the forefront of our climate and environmental crises.
Explore all opportunities below.
Our Investment Sustainability Accelerators
We are a nationally ranked accelerator that invests in high-growth startups and are one of the most active early-stage climate-tech investors in the country. gener8tor provides a concierge accelerator experience where we focus all of our time, energy and network on you. We support the growth of our startups through our network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors and venture capitalists. Each investment program runs for 12-weeks.
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The gener8tor Global Sustainability Accelerator
Industry-agnostic program for early-stage climate technology companies.
Terms: $100K investment for 7.5%
Location: Hybrid program based in Chicago, IL
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Illinois AgTech Accelerator
Designed for high-growth agricultural and food technology companies.
Terms: $100K directly into your current round
Location: Hybrid program based in Champaign, IL
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U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator
Program in partnership with U.S. Venture supports early-stage sustainability and mobility companies.
Terms: $100K for 7.5%
Location: Appleton, WI
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CO.LAB Sustainable Mobility Accelerator
Program in partnership with CO.LAB supports startups at the forefront of sustainable mobility.
Terms: $20K directly into your current round with an additional $100K potential
Location: Chattanooga, TN
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Carbon Removal Accelerator
Program for early-stage carbon capture technologies and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) systems.
Terms: Up to $100K investment
Location: Hybrid program based in Chicago, IL
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HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator
Program in partnership with HudsonAlpha invests in high-growth startups working at the forefront of agriculture innovation.
Terms: $100K directly into your current round
Location: Huntsville, AL
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Great Lakes Resilience Accelerator
Program for startups developing carbon sequestration, hazard mitigation and coastal resilience, and ecosystem services.
Terms: $125k in Non-Dilutive Funding
Location: Chicago, IL
Our Free Sustainability Accelerators
A free accelerator (no investment, no equity) to build your company, meet mentors, and pitch investors. All gBETA programs are 7 weeks long.
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gBETA Energy and Sustainability
7-week, industry-agnostic accelerator program for early-stage climate technology companies.
Terms: Free (no equity, no investment)
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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gBETA AgTech
7-week accelerator program for early-stage agricultural technology companies.
Terms: Free (no equity, no investment)
Location: Champaign, IL
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More Programs Coming Soon
Get in touch to learn more about partnering on our next sustainability accelerator!
Our Sustainability Portfolio
Founder Testimonials
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“I can’t understate how fortunate I am to have a trusted, passionate and dedicated extended team through gener8tor. The Sustainability team essentially acts as another founder for us and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”
Shingai Samudzi, CEO of Asoba
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“I really can’t express enough gratitude for the opportunities provided by the gener8tor program. We’re plugged into a huge support network, and have been able to really refine and modify our business model and growth plans in a way that would not have been possible if we we’re building on our own”
Tiya Gordon & Nathan King, Co-Founders of itselectric
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![Lily Wang]()
“The network, opportunities and coaching the gener8tor Sustainability team provides is in a class of its own. Extremely happy with the small cohorts, concierge program and growth-focused support. Would 100% recommend this accelerator to any other climate-tech founder.”
Lily Wang, CEO and Co-Founder of Demi
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"I have been evangelizing this program. The passion with which they pound the pavement for this cohort and support us from our corner is SIGNIFICANT... 13/10 this has been a great experience."
Sophia Wennstedt, CEO and Co-Founder of blip energy
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"The gener8tor sustainability accelerator provided the highest quality support to our startup at a pivotal moment. It allowed us to take a pause and reflect on our direction and future impact and then truly propelled us forward faster than ever before. We are so grateful for that experience and would recommend it to any early startup looking to make the next step."
Claire Pluard, Co-Founder at Carbon Yield
Some of Our Mentors
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![Garry Cooper]()
Garry Cooper
Rheaply
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![Chris Wu]()
Chris Wu
Impact Engine
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![Kim Zou]()
Kim Zou
Climate Tech VC
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Matthew McGraw
Anthropocene Ventures
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![Jackie Ros]()
Jackie Ros
Matereal
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![Jen Singh]()
Jen Singh
The Understory
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![Swarnav Pujari]()
Swarnav Pujari
Climate Builders
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![Matt Sacks]()
Matt Sacks
Lightbank
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![Judy Li]()
Judy Li
Energy Foundry
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![Meryl Breidbart]()
Meryl Breidbart
At One Ventures
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Tem Tumurbat
Nomadic Venture Partners
The gener8tor Sustainability Team
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Andrew Schmitz
Managing Director, U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator
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Donna Ehart
Managing Director, CO.LAB Sustainable Mobility Accelerator
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Jack Marck
Managing Director, Illinois AgTech Accelerator
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Soham Dalal
Managing Director, Sustainability Accelerator
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Ryan Jeffery
Senior Managing Director, Sustainability
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Dexter Artienda
Program Manager, Sustainability
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Emma Snyder
Program Manager, U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator
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Rosimar Nieves
Program Manager, CO.LAB Sustainable Mobility Accelerator
Join Our Newsletter!
Subscribe to the gener8tor Sustainability Newsletter to receive important updates about our programs, portfolio companies, and climate-tech trends.
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.
We can't wait to join this journey with you.