gener8tor in Wisconsin
Fueling Wisconsin Innovation Since 2012
gener8tor has invested in, coached, and connected founders across Wisconsin. The corporations, universities, and investors who partner with us are how a nationally ranked accelerator stays rooted in the state where it started.
For Founders
A variety of Wisconsin programs, from no-cost coaching to $100K investment accelerators. Find the one that fits your stage.
For Partners
Corporations, universities, and investors sponsor programs, mentor founders, and get early access to the companies coming out of them.
Wisconsin Outcomes Since 2012
Our first 2 cohorts in 2012 backed 13 startups. The results Wisconsin founders and partners have produced since are what built gener8tor into a global network.
Founded in Madison and Milwaukee
Wisconsin startups accelerated
Follow-on capital raised by Wisconsin alumni
Jobs created by Wisconsin alumni
Figures reflect gener8tor's Wisconsin-headquartered portfolio. See full network statistics.
Built in Wisconsin, Proven Nationally
Co-founders Joe Kirgues and Troy Vosseller started gener8tor to invest in people and ideas in their own backyard. The playbook that worked in Madison and Milwaukee now runs in more than 50 communities, and Wisconsin remains where it is refined first.
Each expansion in the state came from a partnership: a corporation, a university, or a community that wanted more startups built nearby. Those partners are why founders here can choose from $100K investment accelerators, no-cost coaching, and venture-creation labs.
-
2012
Founded in Madison and Milwaukee
The first 2 investment accelerator cohorts back 13 startups, which raise more than $3M in private capital in year 1.
-
2015
gBETA Launches
A no-cost, no-equity pre-accelerator opens in Madison so early-stage founders can get coached before they raise. Milwaukee follows, and gBETA becomes gener8tor's most widely run program.
-
2017
Ranked Among the Nation's Best
The Seed Accelerator Rankings Project places gener8tor in the top tier of U.S. accelerators, a ranking earned by Wisconsin cohorts.
-
2020
Northwestern Mutual Accelerator
A Milwaukee-based investment accelerator with Northwestern Mutual backs fintech, insurtech, digital health, and data analytics founders who have been underserved in accessing capital.
-
2022
Appleton and the Fox Valley
The U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator brings $100K investments and in-person programming for sustainability and mobility startups to Appleton, the same year gener8tor marks 10 years in Madison.
-
2024
Green Bay Joins the Network
gALPHA UW-Green Bay and the UW-Green Bay Investment Accelerator connect university research and Northeast Wisconsin founders to capital and mentorship.
-
Today
Programs Across the State
Investment accelerators, gBETA cohorts, and gALPHA labs run year-round across Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Appleton.
Programs Across Wisconsin
A variety of programs, each built with a Wisconsin partner and run by the gener8tor team. Founders can find their stage here. Partners can see what a program looks like once it is up and running.
Investment Accelerators
Northwestern Mutual Accelerator
With Northwestern Mutual
Milwaukee
Fintech, insurtech, digital health, and data analytics startups led by founders historically underserved in accessing capital. Hybrid, with paired executive mentors.
U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator
With U.S. Venture
Appleton
Sustainability and mobility startups from across the U.S. and Canada, in person in the Fox Valley with U.S. Venture as corporate partner.
UW-Green Bay Investment Accelerator
With the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Green Bay
Capital and coaching for high-growth startups in Northeast Wisconsin.
gBETA
gBETA Madison
Madison
Where gBETA began. Concierge coaching and mentor introductions for Madison-area founders building their first traction.
gBETA Milwaukee
Milwaukee
The same 7-week program for Milwaukee founders, plugged into the city's corporate, investor, and university network.
gBETA Frontier Technology
With the Wisconsin Technology Consortium
Statewide
For Wisconsin startups commercializing advanced materials, AI, robotics, energy storage, quantum computing, and other frontier technologies.
gBETA WCTC Applied AI Lab
With Waukesha County Technical College
Waukesha County
Build a startup from scratch at WCTC. For early-stage companies with local roots in Waukesha County.
gBETA UW-Green Bay
With the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Green Bay
The 7-week program for early-stage founders in Northeast Wisconsin, connected to the UW-Green Bay campus and community.
gALPHA
gALPHA Applied AI Lab
Wisconsin
Build an AI-driven company from scratch alongside technical and business co-founders, with gener8tor coaching from day 1.
gALPHA UW-Green Bay
With the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Green Bay
Turn university research and campus ideas into ventures with a structured lab for students, faculty, and community members.
Some of Our Wisconsin Alumni
Companies from every corner of the state's economy have come through a Wisconsin cohort, from first-time founders to research spinouts. Browse the full portfolio
- Cove
- Lotza
- Mumbies
- Service ID
- Vitaminis
- Cubby
- Healthy Cow
- Plumb Pharmaceuticals
- TechComb
- Technova Industries
- Transfur
- eCourt Reporters
- Optikal
- Traduality
- Tutorly.ai
- UPI Study
Built With Wisconsin Partners
Every Wisconsin program exists because an organization decided it wanted more startups built nearby. gener8tor runs the program. Partners shape its focus, mentor the founders, and see the companies first.
Corporations
Sponsor an accelerator in your industry, pair executives with founders as mentors, and build a pipeline of startups aligned with your strategy.
Northwestern Mutual, U.S. Venture
Universities
Turn research and campus talent into companies with gALPHA labs and investment accelerators built around your institution.
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Investors and Mentors
Meet vetted, coached Wisconsin startups before they raise. Join investor swarms, mentor a cohort, or attend a premiere night.
Angel groups, VCs, and 100+ mentors per cohort
Founders
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis across all Wisconsin programs. A 15-minute office hours call is the fastest way to find your fit.
Partners
Explore what a sponsored program, a corporate venture practice, or a mentor role looks like in Wisconsin.
Questions about gener8tor in Wisconsin? Email Abby Kursel, Partner, at abby@gener8tor.com.