KENOSHA, WI – Global venture firm and startup accelerator network gener8tor, in partnership with the City of Kenosha, announces its upcoming gBETA Kenosha Showcase event May 9 at the new Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy in uptown Kenosha. The event will kick off at 6 p.m. with networking and refreshments, then transition to the Showcase Event, featuring companies that have graduated from the first year and a half of gBETA Kenosha programs.
gBETA Kenosha is a free, seven-week accelerator that works with startups for no fees and no equity. Each cohort is capped at five companies and participants receive intensive and individualized coaching and access to gener8tor’s national network of mentors, corporate partners and investors. The program is designed to help startups gain early customer traction on their product or idea, and establish metrics that can make them competitive applicants for full-time, equity-based accelerators or seed investment.
“I’m thrilled to introduce our companies to the wider community in such a beautiful new venue,” said Bethany Larsen, gBETA Kenosha Program Manager. “This program is all about supporting and celebrating the region’s entrepreneurs and highlighting the work of our program’s mentors and partners who have dedicated so much time and support to each of the companies in this cohort.”
gBETA Kenosha launched in the Fall of 2022 and has since held three accelerator programs that have supported 15 companies. Five of these startups will deliver a pitch to an audience of mentors, investors and community members.
“gener8tor is a key partner at our Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy,” noted Mayor David Bogdala. “gBETA is invigorating our ecosystem for supporting start-ups and small businesses as we plan for the future at Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood and beyond.”
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0135 awarded to the City of Kenosha via the Wisconsin Workforce Innovation Grant Program by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Thank you to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development for your continued support and encouragement.
“One of the best ways to build an economy for all in our state is to make sure our startups succeed,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the state’s leading economic development organization. “gBETA has a proven record of helping entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.”
“The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is committed to advancing innovative ideas like those featured in the gBETA Kenosha program,” said Amy Pechacek, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. “Small businesses ignite big change here in Wisconsin, and we can’t wait to see what these startups will accomplish.”
The gBETA Kenosha program is hosted twice per year with five local companies accepted per cohort to ensure a high level of individualized attention and bespoke programming. gBETA works with companies across all industries and business models. Startups interested in applying should contact gBETA Program Manager Bethany Larsen (bethany.larsen@gener8tor.com) or sign up for office hours. For more information, visit www.gener8tor.com/gbeta/kenosha. The next deadline for applications is May 10.
