gener8tor

🚀 gener8tor Founder Series Spotlight: Chris Campbell, ReviewTrackers. Chris Campbell didn't start @reviewtrackers with a perfect product or a clear roadmap. He started with one frustrated customer, an idea for a better solution, and the belief that online reputation management would become essential for businesses long before most people saw the opportunity. That belief paid off. The company grew into a software platform serving more than 200,000 customers across 100 countries. Along the way, Chris navigated fundraising challenges, market uncertainty, and even competition from Google, all while continuing to refine the business and stay focused on delivering value to customers. Those efforts culminated in @reviewtrackers being acquired by @WeAreInMoment after more than a decade of growth. The acquisition expanded the reach of ReviewTrackers’ technology and mission, combining its expertise in customer review management with InMoment’s Experience Improvement platform to help businesses better understand and serve their customers. As part of the gener8tor Madison Accelerator in 2014, Chris credits the program with helping him become a stronger storyteller and fundraiser. Through more than 100 mentor and investor meetings, he learned how to sharpen his pitch, communicate his value proposition more effectively, and build the relationships that helped move the company forward. 💡 Chris's Insight: "A founder's job is often to make decisions when there isn't enough data. Learn to trust your instincts, stay focused, and build something customers truly value." 📣 Chris's Ask: If you're considering an accelerator, do your research, choose one that fits your stage, and fully commit to the experience. The more you invest in the relationships, mentorship, and opportunities available, the more you'll get out of the program. 🎥 Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/wwpg9e3O9Ho #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Founders #Innovation #BusinessGrowth

We’re proud to celebrate the Summer 2026 cohort of gBETA at Marshall's iCenter, Powered by Quality Insights at last week's Showcase 🚀 Founders, mentors, investors, and community leaders came together in Huntington to recognize the progress these companies have made over the past seven weeks and the momentum they are building for the future. The showcase highlighted the strength of West Virginia's entrepreneurial community and the founders driving innovation across the state. One of the highlights of the program was an inspiring conversation with Marshall University President Brad Smith, who spent time sharing insights and encouragement with the founders. Congratulations to the founders of this gBETA at Marshall's iCenter Summer 2026 cohort for completing the program and sharing their vision with the community: • BioImaginix — Tapan K. Khan • BurqOra — Mobeen Ali • Huntington Analytics — Edward Yo • Moffeus — Tissan Joel • Parthian Battery Solutions — Auggie Chico Thank you to our partners at @iCenter_MU and @QualityInsights for helping make this program possible and for their continued commitment to supporting West Virginia entrepreneurs through mentorship, resources, and meaningful connections. Programs like gBETA at Marshall's iCenter help strengthen the region's startup ecosystem by creating opportunities for founders to grow, build relationships, and accelerate their next stage of development. #gener8tor #gBETA #WestVirginia #Startups #Entrepreneurship

gener8tor 50 State Countdown: South Carolina 📣 This week, we're highlighting South Carolina, where we're proud to support founders building and scaling companies across the state. Through our accelerator programming, we're helping entrepreneurs access the connections, mentorship, and resources they need to grow their businesses and create lasting economic impact. South Carolina impact: 🚀 5 companies supported 💰 $7.1M raised 💼 15 jobs created As we continue supporting founders and driving impact across South Carolina, we're always looking for new communities to partner with. Interested in bringing gener8tor to your city? Let's connect! #gener8tor #SouthCarolina #startups #entrepreneurship #innovation

Surgical site infections remain one of the most common complications following surgery, often leading to longer recoveries, hospital readmissions, and higher healthcare costs. Miles Massidda and James Clarke are building a better approach through Longhorn Life Sciences. The MedTech startup is developing iDetect, a smart wound sensor designed to detect surgical site infections before symptoms appear, giving healthcare providers the opportunity to intervene earlier and improve patient outcomes. Today, the team continues advancing iDetect with the goal of improving post-surgical care and helping healthcare providers deliver better outcomes for patients. We're proud to help researchers like Dr. Miles Massidda and Dr. James Clarke bring breakthrough medical technologies to market through our Research to Startup programming. Learn more about Longhorn Life Sciences: longhornlifesciences.com #ResearchToStartup #MedTech #UniversityInnovation #gener8tor

Freshwater is one of the Great Lakes region’s greatest strengths, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs developing technologies that protect, manage, and advance water resources. To help more founders turn those ideas into scalable companies, @gener8tor and @20FathomsTC are launching 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 powered by gener8tor and 20Fathoms, a free, 7-week accelerator supporting a cohort of 8 early-stage bluetech and water technology startups. The program is designed to help founders build momentum through one-on-one mentorship, customer and investor connections, and the resources needed to accelerate growth. Together, we are strengthening Northern Michigan’s growing innovation ecosystem while supporting entrepreneurs building solutions for the future of the freshwater economy. A special thank you to Erin Srebinski, Director of Entrepreneurship at 20Fathoms, and the entire 20Fathoms team for their partnership. We’re excited to support the founders in this inaugural cohort and to see the impact the Northern Michigan BlueTech Accelerator will have on the region. Applications are now open! Learn more and apply at lnkd.in/emTcny2c

Lightning Rounds are coming to Nigeria! gener8tor and @Providusunity are launching Lightning Rounds Nigeria, a new initiative that connects Nigerian-led startups and SMEs with active regional and global investors through curated, high-value meetings. Supported by ProvidusUnity Bank, the program is designed to help close the funding gap by connecting entrepreneurs with active regional and global investors through the gener8tor and Nigeria network. We're excited to help more founders access the capital, relationships, and opportunities they need to scale. Learn more about Lightning Rounds Nigeria: gener8tor.com/lightning-roun… #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #VentureCapital #gener8tor

Bridging the gap between lab and market. Karen Warner, Founder & CEO of BEAM Circular, shares why so many breakthrough innovations never make it beyond the lab. The missing piece often isn't the science. It's access to the infrastructure, technical expertise, and industry connections needed to turn promising research into real-world products. That's where the 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 comes in. As BEAM Circular's flagship initiative, the Campus brings together shared infrastructure, scale-up support, and an ecosystem of researchers, manufacturers, and innovators working to advance renewable fuels, sustainable materials, chemicals, food ingredients, and other circular bio-based solutions. Backed by $17M in initial funding and designed as a phased $180M development, the Campus represents a major investment in the infrastructure needed to help breakthrough technologies reach commercialization. (Source: tradeandindustrydev.com/region/califor…) Together, the California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus and the BEAM Circular Accelerator in partnership with gener8tor help close the gap between research and commercialization, giving founders the capital, expertise, and industry connections needed to build scalable bioeconomy companies with lasting environmental and economic impact. Learn more about BEAM Circular Accelerator: gener8tor.com/investment-acc… #Bioeconomy #Innovation #ClimateTech #Sustainability #gener8tor

The leaders who keep growing are the ones who never stop learning. In this episode of our gener8tor Skills Impact Series, Anne Nadel sat down with Brendan Chan, Head of Autonomy at Fortastra and former Sr. Chief Engineer of Autonomy and Active Safety at @oshkoshcorp, to discuss his experience in the Generative AI for Leaders program. Like many professionals, Brendan saw two options when it came to learning AI: piece together information from countless online videos or join a structured learning experience. He chose the latter. Through the program, he explored how AI can support idea generation, workflow design, software development, and leadership decision-making. Just as importantly, he learned how to turn curiosity into practical application by building, testing, and refining real-world use cases. A few highlights from the conversation: 👉 Structured learning and expert-led sessions helped cut through the noise around AI. 👉 Making time for learning required commitment, but created long-term value. 👉 AI can act as a force multiplier, helping teams automate routine tasks and focus on higher-impact work. 👉 The most effective use of AI comes from experimenting, refining, and making the tools work for your specific goals. Brendan’s message says it best: “Keep learning, keep growing. No matter how far you've come, there's always more to learn.” 🎥 Watch the full conversation: youtu.be/IjyfuFj-rvc #Leadership #Growth #GenerativeAI #Careerseeker #Jobseeker #Learning

gener8tor Lightning Rounds are redefining how founders and investors connect, driving measurable impact. gener8tor Lightning Rounds impact as of 2025: 🤝 4,037 connections 📊 542 investors 🚀 1,700 startups Through curated, back-to-back pitch sessions, Lightning Rounds deliver a streamlined, high impact experience where investors engage directly with startups of interest. Each interaction is intentionally designed to maximize relevance, efficiency, and meaningful outcomes. Over the past year, the program has continued to unlock new pathways for investment, mentorship, and collaboration. By convening the right people at the right time, Lightning Rounds are accelerating growth and strengthening gener8tor’s global network. Explore what’s next in founder and investor connectivity. Access the full gener8tor annual report: gener8tor.com/2025-annual-re…

gener8tor 50 State Countdown: Pennsylvania 📣 This week, we’re highlighting Pennsylvania, where we're proud to support founders scaling companies across the state. Through our accelerator programming, including gBETA Pennsylvania Together with @Meta, and strong collaboration across the entrepreneurial community, founders are gaining the resources and connections they need to grow their businesses and strengthen the state's innovation economy. Pennsylvania impact: 💰 $49M raised 🚀 29 companies supported 💼 167 jobs created Special thanks to our partner @Meta for supporting founders and strengthening Pennsylvania's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Together, we’re supporting founders, creating jobs, and strengthening the foundation for long term economic growth across Pennsylvania. Interested in bringing gener8tor to your city? Let's connect! #gener8tor #Pennsylvania #startups #founders #innovation #meta

For @DarkoMandich, AgTech Practice Chair at gener8tor and Managing Director of the BEAM Circular Accelerator, rebuilding America's agricultural strength starts with backing founders who are turning advanced science into products the country can make at home and sell to the world. His latest piece makes the case that agriculture belongs in the same strategic conversation as energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing. From biomanufacturing and fermentation to robotics and next generation ingredients, innovation is making agricultural systems more productive, more resilient, and more domestically sourced. The throughline is clear: the future of agriculture will be built in layers, through technologies that strengthen existing infrastructure while reducing dependence on volatile global supply chains. Read Darko's full perspective on AgTech, critical infrastructure, and the role founders play in shaping America's agricultural future. gener8tor.com/news/agricultu…

Celebrating 3,500+ gener8tor Skills Graduates! 🎉 We're proud to share a major milestone: gener8tor Skills has officially surpassed 3,500 graduates nationwide. 📊 Our Impact in Numbers • 3,500+ graduates empowered through workforce training programs • 75% graduation rate across cohorts • 69% job placement rate (3+ months post-graduation) • $63,436 average salary among hired participants Through our virtual upskilling programs, participants gain the skills employers are looking for today. From AI for Leaders and Data Analytics to Project Management Institute (PMI) credentials and comprehensive IT pathways covering Foundations, Support, Networking, and Cybersecurity, graduates leave prepared to make an immediate impact in the workforce. Thank you to our partners, including @Microsoft, as well as the workforce development boards, economic development organizations, nonprofits, and academic institutions that help make this work possible. From Wisconsin to California, Texas, and more than 15 states across the country, this milestone reflects the power of partnership and a shared commitment to expanding economic opportunity. Hear directly from our alumni: youtube.com/playlist?list=… #gener8tor #gener8torSkills #WorkforceDevelopment #Upskilling #TechCareers #Jobseekers

gener8tor 50 State Countdown: Oregon 📣 This week, we're highlighting Oregon. While we haven’t run programming in the state, we’re proud to support founders building and scaling companies across Oregon, helping them access the resources they need to grow and succeed. Oregon impact: 🚀 6 companies supported 💰 $12M raised 💼 25 jobs created Interested in bringing gener8tor to your city? Let's connect! #gener8tor #Oregon #startups #entrepreneurship #innovation

gener8tor Skills released the 2025 numbers and they reflect something bigger than a training program. gener8tor Skills impact as of 2025: 🎓 639 graduates 📊 82% graduation rate 💼 68% placement rate 💰 $64,943 average salary The metrics only tell part of the story. Behind them is a model built around the whole person: one-on-one coaching, peer cohorts, job placement support, and no out-of-pocket cost. Because a credential alone doesn't change a career. Community, coaching, and navigation support do. We built gener8tor Skills to be accessible, scalable and effective. This is what wraparound workforce development looks like in practice. Access the full gener8tor annual report here: gener8tor.com/2025-annual-re…

Did you know that 1 in 4 bites of food consumed in the U.S. comes from California? Karen Warner, Founder & CEO of BEAM Circular, explains why the North San Joaquin Valley is uniquely positioned to lead the future of biomanufacturing. With one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, a strong manufacturing base, and access to world-class innovation hubs, the region has all the ingredients needed to scale breakthrough technologies. From abundant agricultural resources and established supply chains to a skilled workforce and proximity to biotechnology leaders in the Bay Area and Sacramento-Davis region, the ecosystem is built for innovation. That's exactly what the BEAM Circular Accelerator is built to tap into, helping founders turn breakthrough ideas in the circular bioeconomy into companies that scale, right where opportunity and impact intersect. Watch the full video to hear Karen's take! #Agriculture #Innovation #CircularEconomy #Startups #Sustainability #Biotech

Growth doesn't stop when you become a leader. 🤝 In this episode of our gener8tor Skills Impact Series, Anne Nadel sat down with LD Richardson Sr., Director of Operations at the @NStar360, an organization serving young men across Nebraska through academics, leadership, athletics, and personal development. Managing everything from facilities and transportation to technology and safety, LD joined our Project Management Skills Accelerator looking for tools to help him lead more effectively across multiple departments. What he found was more than a course. Through practical learning, coaching from his career coach Diego, and strategies he could immediately apply, LD strengthened the way he manages his teams and organizes his work. A few highlights from the conversation: 👉 Flexible learning made it possible to build new skills while balancing a demanding leadership role. 👉 Coaching and accountability helped him stay on track and make learning part of his routine. 👉 Practical project management strategies translated directly into his day to day work. 👉 The program challenged him to keep growing and reignited his drive to continuously improve. LD’s message says it all: “I always want to be better than I was yesterday.” 🎥 Watch the full conversation: youtu.be/oXTvcbxklTM

gener8tor 50 State Countdown: Oklahoma 📣 This week, we're highlighting Oklahoma, where we're proud to support founders building and scaling companies across the state. Through our accelerator programming, we're helping entrepreneurs access the connections, mentorship, and resources they need to grow their businesses and create lasting economic impact. Oklahoma impact: 🚀 63 companies supported 💰 $24M raised 💼 192 jobs created Special thanks to our partners Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, @InasmuchFdn, @LovesTravelStop, @OCAST, @UofOklahoma, @Ok_StateUniv, Square Deal Capital, @amfidelity, @CortadoVentures and @BoydStreetVC for supporting founders and strengthening Oklahoma's entrepreneurial ecosystem. As we continue supporting founders and driving impact across Oklahoma, we're always looking for new communities to partner with. Interested in bringing gener8tor to your city? Let's connect! #gener8tor #Oklahoma #startups #entrepreneurship

What can hundreds of fintech startups teach us about pricing and monetization? According to @Rowan, Associate VP of Accelerators and Fintech Practice Chair at gener8tor, it's less about chasing trends and more about a model that aligns with how partners actually buy and realize value. This analysis explores revenue model data from hundreds of fintech companies to uncover how founders are approaching pricing and monetization today. From recurring SaaS revenue and transactional models to the growing adoption of usage-based pricing, the findings reveal a common theme: revenue strategies are shifting but maybe less quickly that we think. Read Rowan's full perspective on revenue models, pricing trends, and what founders should consider as they build and scale. 👇 gener8tor.com/news/b2b-finte…

Most founders have no idea Nevada is doing this. ⚡ The only active lithium mine in the U.S. The Tesla Gigafactory. An industrial park larger than the city of Detroit. Reno-Tahoe is the #5 emerging data center market in the world. Battery manufacturing growing 6x the national average. Zero income tax. Electricity roughly half California rates. And it's only a 3-4 hour drive from Silicon Valley. We built a @gener8tor accelerator here because this is where energy companies should be building right now. Electrify Nevada is equity-free, state-backed, and open to founders across battery tech, critical minerals, grid edge, commercial electrification, AI infrastructure, and physical AI. One requirement: you want to build in the fastest growing energy economy in the U.S. 🇺🇸 We are open to any stage, globally. We want the best energy founders in the world building in NV. Fall 2026 applications are open. First round closes June 30. Comment BIG ENERGY and I'll send you the link to apply early and get a first review.