Great Lakes Resilience Accelerator
The gener8tor Great Lakes Resilience Accelerator helps founders working on innovative water technology build lasting companies that enhance the Great Lakes region's economic and environmental resilience.
About the Program
The gener8tor Great Lakes Resilience Accelerator (GLRA) is not your typical accelerator. Small cohort sizes, an intense focus on growth, one-on-one introductions to hundreds of experts, mentors, corporate partners and investors, non-dilutive funding, and a concentrated and passionate focus on your startup means you get done in 3-months what usually takes a year.
This program is for you if are building cutting-edge technology that can help manage surface water risks in the Great Lakes region, including (but not limited to) carbon sequestration, hazard mitigation, and ecosystem services. It’s for you if you have deep domain expertise and an intense desire to make an impact on coastal regions. And most of all, this program is for you if you want to build an enduring and lasting business that will better the Great Lakes region (and beyond) for generations to come.
This accelerator is made possible through the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) award as part of President Biden’s Investing in American Agenda and in Alignment with the National Climate Resilience Framework.
gener8tor is a nationally ranked accelerator that invests in high-growth startups and supports the growth of these startups through its network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors and venture capitalists.
See the latest gener8tor Investment Accelerator statistics here.
Supercharge your startup through access to relevant and impactful network of mentors, investors, corporate partners and $125K in non-dilutive funding for growth. Get the coaching and mentorship you need to build a lasting company.
In Collaboration With
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Managing Director
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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 $125k in non-dilutive funding through this program.
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
Exclusive reception during which participating companies have the opportunity to pitch to an audience of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and community members.
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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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.
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Lauren Usher
Partner
Lauren Usher, PhD, is a Partner at gener8tor. Prior to joining gener8tor in 2019, Lauren earned a BA in Psychology from Florida State University and an MS and PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Miami. She also completed postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At gener8tor, Lauren leads the investment accelerators, which have a portfolio of 400+ startups that have raised more than $1B in follow on capital. Lauren has been recognized as madison365's Wisconsin’s 46 Most Influential Latino Leaders in 2022 and one of Venture Capital Journal’s Venture Capital 2023 Rising Stars and one of Madison In Business 40 Under 40 in 2024.
More Information
Learn more our mission, meet our program alumni and explore how to become a Mentor.
Let’s Talk!
We’ll answer questions, tell you more about the program or listen to your pitch during a 15-min office hours visit.
Find a Program
Get an overview of gener8tor’s various program offerings and find the right program fit for you.