M-SPIRE Sustainable Plastics Accelerator
The M-SPIRE Sustainable Plastics Accelerator, supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation through the M-SPIRE NSF Engines Development Award #2315247, aims to propel sustainable plastics through innovation, collaboration, and ecosystem development in the Greater MSP region.
About the Program
The M-SPIRE (Midwest Sustainable Plastics Innovation Regional Engine), backed by the U.S. National Science Foundation through the M-SPIRE NSF Engines Development Award #2315247, is dedicated to advancing sustainable plastics through innovation, collaboration, and ecosystem development in the Greater MSP region.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between research and commercialization, transforming groundbreaking research from laboratories and universities into market-ready solutions, ultimately creating impactful advancements in plastic circularity.
Key Support Areas for Translating Innovation to Market
Matchmaking: Connecting researchers and innovators with experts and founders to help commercialize plastic circularity technologies.
gAlpha Program: A free venture creation workshop designed to help innovation-driven participants create high-growth startups focused on sustainable plastics.
Investment Program: A three-month program providing funding alongside comprehensive, coaching, pilot connections, mentorship and fundraising support for companies at all stages of innovation.
Empower your startup with access to a dynamic network of mentors, investors, corporate partners, and non-dilutive funding for rapid growth. Receive expert coaching and mentorship tailored to help you establish a resilient and enduring company.
M-SPIRE Network
Investment
Selected teams may receive funding through this program to support plastic circularity initiatives at all stages of development.
Strategic Network
We make highly relevant and impactful connections to corporate partners, investors and experienced mentors to help you scale your impact.
Focused Support
Our programs provide dedicated and impactful support at all stages of development our investment program includes only 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.
Ongoing Support
Receive continuous support from gener8tor staff members possessing expertise in development, design, marketing, social media, journalism, business development, legal, sales, and more. This support continues even after the program concludes, ensuring a highly personalized, concierge experience.
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
Director
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.
NSF Advancing M-SPIRE
The NSF Engines Development Award: Building a sustainable plastics innovation ecosystem in the Midwest (MN, IL) is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation. gener8tor is a subaward to the M-SPIRE NSF Engines Development Award #2315247. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.
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.