Delivered by gener8tor and the University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, the program pairs a $10,000 grant with a national network of mentors and investors.
MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 15, 2026 — Six startups founded by University of St. Thomas alumni have been selected for the Fall 2026 gBETA St. Thomas cohort. GridLink, Loyal Saints, Nduro, Ostrichized Brewing, QuantLink, and Zero Trace Baits are currently advancing through the seven-week program, operated by global venture capital firm and startup accelerator gener8tor in partnership with the University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship.
gBETA St. Thomas is a free, non-equity accelerator designed to help early-stage companies meet mentors, strengthen their businesses, gain traction, and pursue investment opportunities. Participating founders receive individualized coaching and access to gener8tor's national network of industry experts, customers, corporate partners, and investors. Startups that complete the program are also awarded a $10,000 non-dilutive grant from the University of St. Thomas.
The six selected companies span a range of markets, from fuel procurement software and AI-powered investment tools to adaptive endurance coaching, nonalcoholic craft beer, premium pet nutrition, and biodegradable fishing lures. Together, they showcase the diversity of businesses being built by St. Thomas alumni and the entrepreneurial talent within the Tommie community.
“One of the most exciting parts of this cohort has been seeing the Tommie community show up for these founders. Alumni, faculty, mentors, and investors have shared their time and expertise, showing that the St. Thomas network remains valuable well beyond graduation,” said Nick Austin, gBETA St. Thomas Program Manager at gener8tor. “With the highest number of applications in the program's history, we're seeing continued momentum behind this partnership. I'm excited to see how these six founders build on the support and connections they've gained.”
Since 2019, gener8tor and the University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship have together supported 38 startups across seven cohorts . Alumni have raised more than $3.3 million in follow-on capital, and the accelerator program has introduced founders to hundreds of mentors, investors, and customers. By building these connections and providing ongoing access to entrepreneurial resources, gBETA St. Thomas helps strengthen the network available to Tommiepreneurs as they navigate the challenges of growing their companies.
“The Schulze School of Entrepreneurship is committed to supporting entrepreneurial leaders throughout their journey, including long after graduation. Our partnership with gener8tor helps alumni founders access the mentorship, expertise, and network needed to build ventures that create value, address meaningful challenges, and advance the common good. We are proud to support this cohort as they grow their businesses and their impact,” said Danielle C. Ailts Campeau, Associate Dean and Best Buy Distinguished Chair of the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas.
The Fall 2026 class will graduate on Nov. 20. As with all gBETA programs, the accelerator will feature a final showcase with live pitches and networking with mentors, investors, and customers.
Startup founders interested in learning more about gBETA or applying to upcoming programs can visit gener8tor.com. Mentors looking to support participating companies or future cohorts are also encouraged to connect with the program through the website.
Fall 2026 Cohort
Loyal Saints is a Minnesota-based, woman-owned premium pet nutrition company producing freeze-dried raw dog food. The company aims to make high-quality nutrition more convenient for dog owners through shelf-stable products. Its product lineup includes chicken, beef, and turkey, and salmon varieties. Over the past year, Loyal Saints expanded national distribution through partners including Chewy, established relationships with dozens of independent pet retailers, and achieved approximately $100,000 in annualized revenue. The brand holds more than 100 five-star reviews, a 4.7-star rating, and a No. 4 ranking on RangeMe’s General Merchandise Top Brands list.
Eyo Ekpo | eckoeyo@gmail.com | loyalsaintspets.com
Nduro is an adaptive endurance coaching app that creates personalized running and triathlon training plans based on an athlete's goals, fitness, and recovery data. The platform adjusts training schedules when changes in sleep, work, or missed sessions disrupt an athlete's routine. Since launch, Nduro has grown revenue every month and achieved user retention nearly three times the best-in-class benchmark.
Vinny Pallini | vinny@nduroai.com | nduroai.com
Ostrichized Brewing produces full-flavored nonalcoholic craft beer for bars, restaurants, and at-home gatherings. The company aims to create an inclusive drinking experience for people who drink alcohol, do not drink, or alternate between the two. Since its first full-scale launch in 2025, Ostrichized has expanded to more than 75 retail and hospitality accounts and secured regional distribution through Mega Beer without outside funding. The company projects its revenue will triple in 2026.
Whitney Nelson | whitney.nelson@marcomn.org | ostrichized.com
QuantLink is a data and artificial intelligence infrastructure platform for public markets that helps investment professionals spend less time building models, presentations, and reports, and more time conducting analysis. The platform serves nine student-managed investment funds across eight universities, totaling 400 seats.
Aidan McConnell | aidan.mcconnell@quantlink.ai | quantlink.ai
Zero Trace Baits is a Minnesota fishing tackle company developing high-performance, scent-infused biodegradable lures made from natural, food-grade materials. Its products offer anglers an alternative to traditional soft-plastic lures while maintaining the action, scent, durability, and performance they expect. The company has generated $25,000 in revenue, served more than 1,000 paying customers, and secured six retail accounts, with over 25 additional retailers in discussion.
Evan Rechelbacher | evan@rechelbacher.com | zerotracebaits.com
GridLink is a fuel procurement platform that connects organizations purchasing fuel with a network of qualified suppliers. Its software helps fuel buyers discover suppliers, compare bids, manage contracts, and streamline procurement. GridLink has secured $2.3 million in signed fuel contracts and processed more than 1 million gallons to date.
Julian Cavin | Julian.cavin@low-fuel.com | gridlink.global
About gener8tor
gener8tor fosters innovation ecosystems through its accelerator programs, venture capital funds, and skills-based workforce initiatives. With a strong track record of supporting high-growth companies, gener8tor has built a presence across the U.S. and globally, establishing partnerships with corporations, universities, and economic development organizations to drive entrepreneurship and economic impact. gener8tor currently operates accelerators in 27 U.S. states and has expanded internationally to five other countries, working with over 300 startups per year. To date, gener8tor has worked with more than 2,300 startups that have cumulatively raised over $4 billion in financing and employ more than 12,000 people.
About gBETA
gBETA is a non-equity accelerator that facilitates the growth of early-stage companies through a network-driven program. This accelerator supports five startups per cohort and requires no fees for startups and takes no equity. Since launching in 2015, gBETA accelerator alumni have raised $1.17B+ in capital and created 7,100+ jobs across the U.S. and Canada.
About the University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship
The Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas supports entrepreneurial education and venture creation, connecting students and founders with resources and opportunities to develop and grow businesses. In The Princeton Review's 2026 rankings, the Schulze School ranked No. 11 internationally among undergraduate entrepreneurship programs and No. 1 in Minnesota. Learn more at the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship.
