gener8tor

What does it really take to build a startup ecosystem that lasts? According to Robert Pieroni, gener8tor’s Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships & Business Development, thriving startup communities aren’t built by chance. They’re built through intentional support systems that give founders the resources, relationships, capital, and customer access they need to grow. In his latest series, Robert reflects on the patterns he’s seen across startup ecosystems around the world and the missing pieces that often hold founders back. From mentorship and investor networks to global connections and early customer traction, each piece plays a critical role in helping startups move from idea to impact. Throughout the series, Robert explores why strong ecosystems are powered by more than ambition alone. They succeed when founders are surrounded by communities willing to invest in their growth, open doors, and create real pathways to scale. Read Robert’s full perspective on what every startup ecosystem needs to truly thrive. 👇 gener8tor.com/news/the-missi…

Congratulations to the 8th cohort of gBETA Alaska Winter 2026 on a successful Showcase on April 21. 🚀 Over the past seven weeks, five Alaska-based startups worked alongside mentors, investors, and ecosystem leaders through gBETA Alaska, building momentum as they prepare to scale and pursue new opportunities. The showcase at the UAF Center for Innovation brought together founders, community partners, and supporters from across the state to hear these companies share what they’re building and where they’re headed next. Congratulations to Erik Williams and Jason Warta of @beadedcloud, Michael Kerr and Jason Child of Bind Verify, Carl Rosen of MyEyesAI, Aaron Cox of @SuprSketch, and to Richard Rogers of Tundra Electronics for the progress they’ve made throughout the program. Thank you to Peter Webley and the UAF Center for Innovation for helping make this program possible and for continuing to invest in Alaska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Programs like gBETA Alaska help create stronger pathways for founders to grow innovative companies while building long-term impact across the region. Looking forward to seeing what comes next for this cohort! #Alaska #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #AlaskaStartups

Applications are open for the May gener8tor Skills cohort in Omaha, Nebraska! 🚀 We're grateful to partner with @omaha100, @LearnComm, and the @DevelopNebraska to offer no-cost, career-focused skills training for residents across the city of Omaha and help more individuals build pathways to meaningful careers. Through this partnership, local residents can access: ⚡ Industry-recognized certifications ⚡ Career coaching and professional development support ⚡ Job placement resources that connect talent with local employers Participants can choose from four specialized career tracks: - Project Management (CAPM/PMP) - IT Fundamentals & Customer Service (CompTIA Tech+) - Data Analytics (CompTIA Data+) Ready to take the next step in your career? Application deadline: May 25th, 2026 Apply now: gener8tor.com/skills/omaha

🚀 gener8tor Founder Series Spotlight: Jahn Khan, 4Earth. This week we’re highlighting @jahn4earth, Founder & CEO of @4earthinc, an Atlanta-based environmental technology company building solutions to address inefficiencies in industrial water systems and factory operations. 4Earth develops plug-and-play systems that treat and recycle wastewater on-site, while using AI to deliver real-time factory intelligence and improve operational performance. A member of the inaugural Cox Cleantech Accelerator powered by gener8tor cohort in Atlanta, Jahn credits the program with strengthening relationships within the local ecosystem and accelerating key customer connections. Through the experience, 4Earth deepened partnerships with companies like Cox and Siemens, helping the company move from development into a scaling phase. Today, 4Earth works with major enterprises including @MercedesBenzUSA, @CoxEnterprises, @Siemens, and @CentralLifeSci, with deployments across multiple states and increasing production capacity as demand grows. 💡 Jahn Insight: “Know what you want out of an accelerator and make the most of it. What you put in is what you get out.” Jahn is looking for introductions to industrial companies or factories that use large volumes of water, or that are seeking AI-driven predictive maintenance and operational support. 🎥 Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/H19-2ANTPOo

At last summer’s Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit with President Trump, @Meta committed to help people and businesses in the commonwealth succeed with AI. Today, we’re kicking off two programs. One is a free startup incubator focused on AI and rural communities, in partnership with @gener8tor. We’ve seen such huge demand for this program that we’ve expanded the initial cohort from 5 businesses to 10. The second is our first Community Accelerator event of the year, which will provide AI training for 100+ small businesses.  There are signs that AI is powering a small business boom. Americans are starting their own businesses at a record pace. Small businesses using AI are growing faster, reaching more customers, and creating jobs in their communities. These programs are part of our broader Meta Small Business initiative to help entrepreneurs in communities across the country start and grow their businesses with AI tools and skills training. Looking forward to seeing how these small businesses use AI to grow.

Feeling stuck in your career often has less to do with your experience and more to do with how you see it. In this episode of our gener8tor Skills Impact Series, Anne Nadel speaks with Nura Said, a Regulatory Specialist at @UWMadison with a background in biology, legal studies, and clinical research, about how she reframed her career path. At a point where she felt boxed in by niche roles, Nura joined the gener8tor Skills Accelerator seeking structure, coaching, and clarity. Through exercises like a skills inventory and one-on-one coaching, she shifted her mindset from chasing titles to understanding her transferable skills. That shift helped her connect strengths like communication, problem-solving, and project management to a new role navigating complex research compliance, while also gaining clarity about what truly matters in her life and career. A few highlights from the conversation: 👉 Coaching helped her reframe her experience and identify transferable skills 👉 Structured, self-paced learning made it manageable during a life transition 👉 Skills like communication and problem-solving translated across industries Nura’s message: “Focus on what you can control, and find meaning beyond your job.” 🎥 Watch the full conversation: youtu.be/CiWp74cdCgQ

We’re proud to celebrate the latest CS NEST Cohort Showcase in Madison 🚀 On Wednesday, April 22, founders, technologists, mentors, and community members came together to mark the culmination of ten weeks of venture creation through CS NEST, gener8tor’s workshop for @UWMSTP students and builders. The showcase reflected what’s possible when early-stage founders are given space to test ideas, build MVPs, and learn by doing. Congratulations to @JNachiappa93695 and @TrinityKro15514 for earning 1st place at the showcase. This recognition marks a meaningful step forward as they continue building and refining their venture. We also want to recognize the full group of founders who stepped up to build and share their ideas: @AJKetarkuS, @charles_laning, Abdullah Khan, and Bryson Turner. Thank you to @uwcdis and @WARF_News for supporting CS NEST and helping make this program possible. Grateful for our judges Michael Szewczyk, Sarah J. Buszka, MPA, and @lewis_sheats, whose time and insight helped shape this experience for our founders. Programs like CS NEST play an important role in strengthening regional ecosystems by equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs with the tools, network, and confidence to move forward. This is just the beginning. Looking forward to what these founders build next! #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #MadisonWI

🚀 gener8tor Founder Series Spotlight: Mike Pravica, X-Regen. Mike Pravica, Founder of X-Regen and Professor of Physics at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, is developing a breakthrough method to extend the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries using X-ray technology. Through X-Regen, he is addressing a critical challenge in energy and sustainability by making it possible to regenerate EV batteries, reducing waste and extending the life of these expensive assets. As part of the Electrify Nevada Accelerator Powered by gener8tor in 2025, Mike gained firsthand exposure to how ideas translate into real-world businesses. Through site visits, expert conversations, and hands-on support, he developed a clear understanding of business fundamentals and built a structured, compelling pitch for the company. Today, X-Regen is in the early stages of formation, backed by years of Department of Energy-supported research. The team is working to validate the technology further and unlock larger funding opportunities, with the goal of extending battery life and reducing the amount of EV batteries that need to be recycled. 💡 Mike Insight: “In Academia we have the opportunity to explore theories, In business, you have to make something practical. You have to make it work for the customer.” 📣 Mike’s Ask: Mike is looking to connect with electric vehicle manufacturers and battery companies to collaborate with their electrochemistry teams and explore real-world applications of X-ray battery regeneration. Special thanks to the partners supporting this journey and helping founders like Mike build and scale, including @DiversifyNevada, @unlv, @US_EDA, @unevadareno, @EDAWNReno, @NevadaBattery, NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest, and @RechargeNevada. 🎥 Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/P8SCgMG2gF8

Fermeate just closed a $2M seed round led by Newfund Capital. 🚀 Fermeate is a portfolio company in the BEAM Circular Accelerator 2026 Powered by gener8tor, and they are rewriting the unit economics of precision fermentation. Their optogenetics platform uses light to control gene expression inside the fermenter, boosting output by 60 to 300% in existing industrial systems. No new bioreactors, no new facilities, payback in under 11 months. The kind of horizontal infrastructure layer the bioeconomy has been waiting for. We’re proud to support Fermeate through the BEAM Circular Accelerator 2026 and excited to see strong investor backing accelerate their growth and real-world deployment. ⚡ Alongside @Newfund, the round includes: @SOSV, Ajinomoto Group Ventures, Ki Tua Fund, Heuristic Capital, @mvcapitalvc, @PlugandPlayTC, Tesserakt Ventures, and @agstartupengine. Shoutout to Co- Founders Kevin Xu, Saurabh Malani and the entire Fermeate team. This is exactly the kind of breakthrough science meeting real-world deployment that the BEAM cohort was built to back. Read the full article: agfundernews.com/fermeate-raise…

🚀 gener8tor Alum ZaiNar is a unicorn! We’re so proud to have supported ZaiNar early on through gBETA and to see the team reach this milestone through years of focused execution and bold innovation. @ZaiNarTech is redefining Physical AI by turning existing 5G and WiFi networks into real-time sensing systems, no satellites, no cameras, no extra power. Just continuous, precise awareness of where everything is. The team has: Raised over $100M in investment Achieved a valuation exceeding $1B Built foundational infrastructure powering the future of Physical AI Shoutout to @Daniel_Jacker and the ZaiNar team for building something massive!

gener8tor 50 State Countdown: New York 📣 This week, we’re highlighting New York, where we haven’t run any accelerator programs yet, but continue to support founders across the state as they grow their companies. New York impact: 🚀 54 companies supported 💰 $182M raised 💼 439 jobs created As we continue supporting founders and driving impact across New York, we're always looking for new communities to partner with. Interested in bringing gener8tor to your city? Let's connect. #gener8tor #NewYork #startups #entrepreneurship #innovation

$3B. 🎉 That's the total cumulative funding our portfolio companies have raised across gener8tor's programs. Since 2012, we've supported over 2,200 companies across 452 cohorts, and today those founders employ more than 15,000 people. We started with a simple belief: that the best and brightest founders exist everywhere, not just in a few zip codes. $3B later, that belief looks less like a hunch and more like a thesis, proven by founders building in communities around the world. We're grateful to drive this kind of impact alongside every founder, mentor, and partner who has been part of the journey. Let’s keep building toward the next milestone. 🚀

🚀 gener8tor Founder Series Spotlight: Rick Whittaker, AirShare. Rick Whittaker is Co-Founder and CEO of @AirShareInc, a defense technology company developing non-lethal, 3D-printed missile systems designed to safely and cost-effectively mitigate hostile and wayward drones. With operations across Canada, Boston, and Saudi Arabia, AirShare is addressing a rapidly growing need in modern conflict environments. A graduate of the gener8tor Milwaukee program through the gener8tor Wisconsin Accelerator in 2018, Rick credits the experience with helping AirShare gain early traction. Through hands-on coaching, mentor engagement, and consistent pressure to refine their narrative, the team sharpened its messaging and learned how to communicate effectively with investors and customers. Today, AirShare is in active production and sales with a fifth-generation system, working with allied forces globally as the company continues to develop future iterations of the technology. 💡 Rick Insight: “Deciding what to focus on cannot be done in a bubble. It has to be done with the customer.” 📣 Rick’s Ask: Support the founders around you. Help the person next to you when you can. These relationships compound over time and often come back in meaningful ways. 🎥 Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/bB5ocH07iH4

gener8tor Investment Accelerator alumni have officially surpassed $2B in cumulative funding 🚀 What started with our first investment accelerator in Milwaukee in 2012 has grown into a nationwide network of founders building meaningful companies across industries and communities. We’re proud of the impact these founders have made, and grateful to support them through our investment accelerator programs as they move from early traction to raising capital and scaling their businesses. gener8tor Investment Accelerator by the numbers: • 679 companies supported • 149 cohorts • 8,493 jobs created • $2B+ in cumulative funding Thank you to every founder, mentor, partner, and team member who helped make this possible. We can't wait to see what the next $2B looks like.

🚀 gener8tor Founder Series Spotlight: Rich Sloan, WAVR @Startupologist is Co-Founder and CEO of WAVR Technologies, a Las Vegas-based water technology company developing atmospheric water harvesting systems that generate water from air. Inspired by natural processes observed in Australian tree frogs, WAVR is tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing water-stressed regions and industries. A portfolio company of the gener8tor Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator, Rich credits the program with sharpening how he communicates WAVR’s value and accelerating early customer conversations. Through hands-on sessions and mentor engagements, he refined his pitch and gained access to a network that helped open critical doors for the business. Today, WAVR is generating early commercial traction, approaching $1M in first-year booked revenue and deploying pilot units with industrial applications in data centers, chip manufacturing, and beyond. As the company scales its technology, it aims to provide a resilient and decentralized water source for industries facing increasing water constraints. 💡 Founder Insight: “Customer discovery is critical early on. Sometimes that’s a slow process, though, and can delay crucial clarity about your go-to-market. Do everything you can to get dialogue with prospective customers as quickly as you can. The insights mean everything to your strategy.” 📣 Founder’s Ask: Rich is looking to connect with companies in the data center and semiconductor manufacturing industries that are exploring new ways to address their water needs and would benefit from pilot deployments. Special thanks to the partners supporting this journey including @NOAA, @michigantech, @CLEH2OAlliance, @nmc_tc and the @RealGLOS in helping founders like Rich build and scale. We also want to thank our Las Vegas partners, @unlv, Black Fire Innovation, and @DiversifyNevada for their continued support. 🎥 Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/eIFoKx9UHsc

gener8tor 50 State Countdown: New Mexico 📣 This week, we’re highlighting New Mexico, where we haven’t run any accelerator programs yet, but are proud to have supported founders building and scaling companies across the state. New Mexico impact: 🚀1 companies supported 💰$200K raised 💼9 jobs created We’ll continue to support founders, create jobs, and drive long-term economic growth across New Mexico. We'd love to bring gener8tor to New Mexico! #gener8tor #NewMexico #startups #entrepreneurship #innovation

Congratulations to the inaugural gBETA Inland Empire cohort on a successful Showcase at Moreno Valley College last Thursday! 🚀 This milestone marked the culmination of an incredible program supporting early-stage founders building and scaling innovative companies across the Inland Empire. From refining their business models to connecting with mentors, investors, and community leaders, these startups are driving momentum and shaping the region’s growing innovation ecosystem. We’re excited to support this inaugural cohort as they continue building, growing, and gaining traction beyond the program. The momentum and collaboration throughout the Showcase reflect the strength and potential of the Inland Empire’s innovation ecosystem. Excited to see what comes next as they continue to scale their impact! Thank you to our gBETA Inland Empire partners Business & Employment Resource Center (BERC), @mvcollege and the @CityofMoVal for making this program possible and for investing in local innovation. Learn more about gBETA Inland Empire: gener8tor.com/gbeta/inland-e…

💡gBETA Round Rock startup highlight: Longhorn Life Sciences. Miles Massidda and Dr. James Clarke are leading @LonghornLifeSc1, a MedTech startup developing iDetect, a smart wound sensor designed to detect surgical site infections before symptoms appear, enabling earlier intervention and better patient outcomes. Surgical site infections remain one of the most persistent challenges in healthcare: • 1 in 8 surgeries results in an infection • Up to 55% are preventable • $10B annual cost to the U.S. healthcare system Longhorn Life Sciences is building toward a future where infections can be detected remotely, in real-time, reducing readmissions and improving care delivery at scale. As part of the gBETA Round Rock Fall 2025 cohort, the team made meaningful progress across both product and commercialization strategy. During the program, Longhorn Life Sciences: • Refined their unit economics to better align with scalable healthcare deployment • Strengthened their pitch deck and investor narrative • Clarified their buyer journey and gained a clearer understanding of how providers, clinics, and health systems adopt new medical technologies Coming into the program with strong technical validation (including proof of concept and early traction), the team used gBETA to deepen their go-to-market strategy and position themselves for the next stage of growth. Programs like gBETA support founders at this stage by helping teams translate innovation into execution, from customer discovery to investor readiness. Shoutout to Miles Massidda, Ph.D. and Dr. James Clarke as they continue advancing their technology, pursuing regulatory milestones, and building toward commercialization in the MedTech space. Special thanks to the @RRCoC for supporting the growth of startups like @LonghornLifeSc1 through gBETA Round Rock. Learn more about Longhorn Life Sciences here: longhornlifesciences.com If you're working in healthcare or MedTech and want to get involved, let’s connect! gener8tor.com/gbeta/medtech #gener8tor #gBETA #RoundRock #MedTech #Startups #Innovation

We’re excited to announce the gBETA Charlotte Health 2026 cohort. 🚀 This spring cohort brings together five startups advancing innovation across diagnostics, antimicrobial solutions, maternal health, and wound healing. @9plus1AI, led by CEO Conner McCraw, is transforming the most common cardiac test with AI, making the heart’s hidden signals actionable for every clinician and patient. Casandra AI, led by CEO David Brooks, is streamlining access to diagnostic testing by helping providers navigate fragmented lab data, ensuring every patient receives the right test. Inolyt, led by CEO Margaret Kocherga, is developing next-generation antimicrobial solutions to combat antibiotic resistance with safer alternatives for healthcare and consumer applications. Pump For Joy, led by CEO Erin Devine Martin, is reimagining maternal health with compostable, single-use breast pump components designed to improve hygiene and convenience for new parents. SKG Lifesciences, led by CEO Gregory Roberts, is developing a bioelectrically enabled smart bandage using algae-based biomaterials to accelerate healing for diabetic ulcers and reduce amputations. We’re proud to support this cohort as they build and scale solutions advancing healthcare innovation, and we look forward to seeing their continued progress. Join us for the gBETA Charlotte Health Final Showcase: 📍 The Pearl CLT 📅 May 28, 2026 ⏰ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (ET) Register here: gener8tor.one/programs/bb5aa… Thank you to our gBETA Charlotte Health partners @advocatehealth, @AtriumHealth, @ThePearlCLT, @WexfordSciTech, @CLTgov, @InnovateCLT, @CharlotteEDO, KIND Health Innovation CLT and Connect Labs by Wexford for supporting founders building the future of healthcare. #gBETACharlotteHealth #HealthTech #Innovation #CharlotteTech #Startups #Founders