@IUCollege researcher Rita Patel is advancing wearable technology to improve the visibility and safety of young athletes.
Patel, founder of Aerly Diagnostics, designed a device to detect exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction, a difficult-to-diagnose breathing disorder that affects an estimated 1 out of 4 adolescent athletes. To help bring her technology into practice, she joined the second cohort of the IU Health Incubator at IU LAB Pre-Accelerator powered by @gener8tor.
Learn more about how the pre-accelerator helped grow her company: https://t.co/inJ3QDkLoS
Strong partnerships create stronger pathways to opportunity.
In this episode of our gener8tor Skills Impact Series, Anne Nadel sat down with Jennifer Roller, President of The Raymond John Wean Foundation, to discuss how collaboration across employers, funders, community organizations, and workforce partners can create lasting economic mobility.
Jennifer shared how her connection to gener8tor began through community relationships and grew into a partnership focused on expanding access to career opportunities for residents in Warren and Youngstown, Ohio. Through the foundation’s commitment to economic opportunity, equity, and community revitalization, she has seen firsthand how holistic workforce development can help individuals move forward with confidence.
A few themes from the conversation:
👉 Relationship building is the foundation of meaningful community impact.
👉 Workforce development works best when coaching, mentorship, skills training, and employer connections come together.
👉 Strong partnerships create better outcomes by aligning community needs with career opportunities.
👉 Networks matter, and continued mentorship can open doors long after a program ends.
👉 Employers, funders, and community organizations all play a role in supporting economic mobility.
Jennifer’s message was clear: Workforce solutions are strongest when communities come together and stay at the table.
🎥 Watch the full conversation: https://t.co/nKwmf7xdLv
We’re so proud to see the impact of our Investment Accelerators as we reflect back on 2025.
gener8tor Investment Accelerators impact in 2025:
💰 $2B raised by founders
💼 8,324 jobs created
🚀 669 portfolio companies supported
📈 441 cohorts
Our Investment Accelerators back high-growth startups with meaningful capital and hands-on support. Through small cohorts, we deliver a concierge-style experience where each founder receives personalized guidance, access to a network of 100+ mentors, investors, and strategic partners, and the tools needed to scale faster.
Over the past year, our Investment Accelerators continued to fuel high-growth startups, supporting founders from early traction to major funding milestones and sustained growth.
We remain committed to supporting the next generation of founders building the future in communities around the world.
Discover the impact shaping the next generation of high-growth companies.
Access our full annual report here for more information: https://t.co/7HMJm0Hugi
Congratulations to the gBETA Charlotte Health Spring 2026 cohort for a successful showcase on May 28th!
The showcase was hosted at the incredible forum at @ThePearlCLT, where founders shared solutions tackling some of healthcare’s biggest challenges and demonstrated the momentum growing across the @CLTgov.
Meet the cohort:
● 9+1AI and CEO Conner McCraw, MS are transforming the most common cardiac test with AI, making the heart's hidden signals actionable for every clinician and patient.
● Casandra AI and CEO David S. Brooks are building a platform that streamlines access to specialty diagnostic testing by helping providers navigate fragmented lab data, ensuring every patient receives the right test.
● Inolyt and CEO Margaret Kocherga, PhD are developing next-generation antimicrobial solutions to combat antibiotic resistance with safer alternatives for healthcare and consumer applications.
● Pump For Joy and CEO Erin Devine Martin are reimagining maternal health with compostable and 100% plastic-free single-use breast pump components designed to improve hygiene and convenience for new parents.
● SKG Lifesciences and CEO Gregory Roberts are developing a bioelectrically-enabled smart bandage using algae-based biomaterials to accelerate healing for diabetic ulcers and reduce amputations.
Thank you to @CLTgov, @advocatehealth, @ThePearlCLT, and Connect Labs by Wexford for coming together and making this possible. Thanks to @mediacutlet for taking these great photos!
We're looking forward to seeing what comes next for this cohort!
Charlotte Economic Development, @InnovateCLT, KIND Health Innovation CLT, @AtriumHealth and Wexford Science & Technology.
#gBETA #CharlotteHealth #HealthTech #StartupAccelerator
gener8tor 50 State Countdown: Ohio 📣
This week we're highlighting Ohio, where we're proud to support founders and career seekers alike. Through our startup accelerator programming, we're providing early-stage startups with the connections and resources they need to scale and succeed. Meanwhile, we're also proud to support economic growth through our gener8tor Skills programming, equipping workforce participants with the training and connections they need to advance their careers.
Ohio impact:
🚀 51 companies supported
💰 $59M raised
💼 272 jobs created
gener8tor Skills Impact in Ohio:
👤 21 participants
🎓 18 graduates
📊 86% graduation rate
Special thanks to our partners @Cincy_Tech and @ThompsonHine for supporting our startup programming, and to The Raymond John Wean Foundation for helping advance our workforce development efforts.
As we continue supporting founders and driving impact across Ohio, we're always looking for new communities to partner with.
Interested in bringing gener8tor to your city? Let's connect!
#gener8tor #Ohio #startups #entrepreneurship #innovation
gener8tor 50 State Countdown: North Dakota 📣
This week we're highlighting North Dakota, where we're proud to support founders and career seekers alike. Through our startup accelerator programming, we're driving innovation and impact across the state's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Meanwhile, we're also proud to support economic growth through our gener8tor Skills programming, equipping workforce participants with the training and connections they need to advance their careers.
North Dakota impact:
🚀 51 companies supported
💰 $46M raised
💼 194 jobs created
gener8tor Skills Impact in North Dakota:
👤 71 participants
🎓 58 graduates
📊 82% graduation rate
Special thanks to our partners 50 South Capital and The North Dakota Growth Fund on our startup and venture capital work, and the @FMWFChamber on our workforce development efforts!
As we continue supporting founders and driving impact across North Dakota, we’re always looking for new communities to partner with.
Interested in bringing gener8tor to your city? Let’s connect!
#gener8tor #NorthDakota #startups #entrepreneurship #innovation
Congratulations to the gBETA Electrify Nevada Spring 2026 cohort on a successful Showcase on May 19 ⚡
From battery innovation and hydrogen systems to climate tech and energy infrastructure, this cohort represents companies shaping what’s next while proving Nevada is a strong place to build.
Meet the cohort:
@broncopowerboo1 — Founded by Billy Whittaker. Developing patented battery backup systems for homes and medical facilities alongside no-idle technology for semi trucks, with more than 1,500 units sold.
Echo Elements — Founded by Drew Reid. A battery recycling company using water-free molten salt electrochemistry to recover battery-grade lithium, nickel, and cobalt at lower costs. Patent-pending through the University of Nevada, Reno.
NIU NIU — Founded by Dylan Roman and Arturo Rosenthal. An AI-driven e-waste platform maximizing critical mineral recovery with full supply chain traceability to improve circular economy transparency and efficiency.
@QuadSolar — Founded by Dover Janis and Mait Kukk. Developing solar roof tile systems and contractor software that helps traditional roofing companies become solar installers and simplify residential adoption.
@CacheEnergy — Founded by Arpit Dwivedi. A long-duration thermal energy storage company focused on heat electrification and seasonal energy price arbitrage. Recently raised an $8.5M seed round and featured in The Wall Street Journal.
Hydronexus Energy — Founded by Leigh Killingbeck. Developing modular hydrogen power systems designed to replace diesel generators in data centers and resilient energy facilities.
Flick Power — Founded by Andre Ramirez and Dan Hienzsch. Developing patented energy savings technology delivering utility-validated savings for multifamily housing properties.
Basin Technologies — Founded by Cris Rosales and McKinley Brown. A dust-risk management platform helping operators reduce water-truck waste, validate dust control performance, and maintain defensible environmental records.
NetMeterGO — Founded by Leora Spencer. A SaaS platform streamlining utility interconnection processes for distributed energy resources and large electrical loads.
ArchiMAT Inc. — Founded by Ophelia Jen and Danny Ho, COO. A climate readiness platform supporting the building lifecycle from material selection through ESG reporting to improve sustainability planning and performance outcomes.
Thank you to the @DiversifyNevada, @EDAWNReno, @unevadareno, and @unlv for supporting this program.
Learn more: https://t.co/yLItXWYmfI
#gBETA #ElectrifyNevada #Nevada #ClimateTech #EnergyInnovation #Startups
Congratulations to the founders of the 2026 BEAM Circular Accelerator cohort on an incredible showcase at BioCatalyst 2026. 🚀
Following 12 weeks of collaboration, mentorship, and momentum, the cohort took the stage this week to share how they’re advancing the future of the circular bioeconomy through breakthrough technologies in sustainable materials, food systems, industrial biotech, and bio-based manufacturing.
Hosted as part of BioCatalyst 2026, the showcase brought together 150+ attendees from the public, private, and academic sectors, including leaders from across the bioeconomy industry.
Meet the cohort:
● Fermeate:
Light-controlled biology delivering up to 3x higher fermentation productivity without new tanks or major retrofits.
Founders: Ke Xu, PhD and Saurabh Malani, PhD.
● Krokos Bio:
Growing real plant cells in bioreactors to produce high-value botanicals like saffron. Year-round, climate-independent, and domestically produced.
Founders: Jacob Lang and Emma Skoog.
● Ruby Bio:
Naturally occurring yeast converting low-cost sugars and waste feedstocks into biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients including surfactants, food emulsifiers, oleochemicals, and polyol sweeteners. Cost-competitive with synthetic alternatives.
Founders: Charlie Silver and Pavan Kambam.
● Supercarb:
Plastic-free performance fibers made from seaweed and agricultural peel waste. No PFAS, no toxic finishing chemicals, with built-in flame retardancy.
Founder: Hitesh Manglani.
● @tasteetape:
Biodegradable food packaging that performs like conventional film at up to 4x lower cost than alternative bioplastics. Featured on The Tonight Show, CNN, and TIME’s Best Inventions.
Founder: Marie Eric.
Thank you to BEAM Circular for helping make this program possible and for their continued leadership in advancing the circular bioeconomy across the North San Joaquin Valley.
Programs like the BEAM Circular Accelerator help create stronger pathways for founders to scale innovative companies while driving long-term economic and environmental impact across the region.
We’re looking forward to seeing what comes next for this cohort!
#BEAMCircular #gener8tor @
353 investor-founder connections in one afternoon ⚡
This week, gener8tor hosted Sustainability Lightning Rounds, bringing together 53 alumni startups from the gener8tor Sustainability Accelerators and 60 investors for focused 1:1 meetings.
Every participating startup was selected by investors to meet, and the majority were selected by 6+ investors, a strong signal of the quality of companies coming through our Sustainability Accelerators and the continued investor demand for practical sustainability and climate solutions.
We're grateful to every investor who gave their time and attention, and to every founder who showed up ready to make the most of it.
We’re very excited to announce that applications for the new gALPHA Arkansas program are now open! 🚀
gALPHA Arkansas is a free 4-week virtual venture creation program built for aspiring founders and entrepreneurs across the state ready to turn ideas into action.
Participants will gain access to mentorship, customer discovery support, startup education, 1:1 coaching, and a community of fellow founders and builders all designed to help early-stage startups validate ideas, build momentum, and grow with confidence. Through hands-on workshops and expert guidance, founders will leave the program with practical tools and a stronger foundation for launching and scaling their businesses.
Thank you to the @ArkansasEDC for supporting gALPHA Arkansas and helping make this program possible.
Ready to take the next step and grow your startup alongside a community of founders and mentors?
Apply now: https://t.co/UWzEyrgyOt
Application Deadline: June 7, 2026
We’re excited to announce the Spring 2026 gBETA Pennsylvania cohort!
gBETA Pennsylvania is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with strong local roots, designed to help founders accelerate growth, build investor readiness, and access gener8tor’s national network of mentors and partners.
Together with @Meta, the program continues to support founders building bold solutions across Pennsylvania’s startup ecosystem through mentorship, resources, and connections designed to help startups grow and scale.
Founders are driving innovation and shaping what’s next across Pennsylvania’s startup ecosystem.
✨ Meet the cohort:
• Sarva — Founded by Dipseka Timsina and Farhan Azim Aurronoy.
An AI-powered retail platform helping immigrant-owned grocery stores digitize operations with voice-enabled tools in 90+ languages. Focused on supporting culturally rooted retail businesses, starting with South Asian grocery stores.
• Bime Beauty — Founded by Tanya Bourque.
A female-founded beauty brand creating salon-quality tools that simplify everyday routines at home. Products include high-performance hair tools and self-cleaning beauty essentials.
• Plant With Olive — Founded by Benjamin Appel, Aaditya Pulastya and Muhammad javeed.
An AI-powered plant care app offering personalized care plans and plant health insights to help users keep plants alive. The platform also connects users with local plant shops and community resources.
• Pelliá — Founded by Courtney Williamson Ph.D.
A skincare and self-care brand creating aromatherapy-infused body care products designed for women with high-stress lifestyles. The brand combines skin wellness with emotional well-being.
• @socratyc — Founded by Nicole Alos MBA, CEC, ICF-PCC.
A coaching and training company helping organizations improve communication and client interactions through modern frameworks and AI-enabled learning tools. Their platform supports scalable workplace development experiences.
• ZenBroth — Founded by Xiaofeng (Jessica) Zhu and represented by Maddie Troso.
A premium whole-food seasoning brand creating functional umami blends made with clean ingredients like lion’s mane and goji berry. Products are designed for convenient flavor enhancement at home and on the go.
• Best Possible — Founded by Thomas Tam.
An AI-powered medication reconciliation platform helping healthcare providers improve post-discharge follow-up and patient education. The platform supports pharmacist-led medication review through machine learning and NLP.
• NeurElectrum — Founded by Marzia Momin.
A medtech company developing ultra-soft neural implants for neuromodulation and brain-computer interface applications. Their technology is designed to improve long-term signal stability for conditions like epilepsy and paralysis.
• K12 Staffing — Founded by Tom Gradowski.
A staffing and recruitment firm serving therapeutic and educational sectors with specialized school support professionals. The company helps districts address critical staffing shortages through streamlined hiring solutions.
• @Serpentrobotics — Founded by Margaret Zhu.
A robotics company developing remote-operated branch-cutting systems for the tree care industry. Their platform improves safety and efficiency for arborists performing hazardous cutting operations.
A huge thank you to our partners at @Meta and the incredible team supporting this program!
Learn more: https://t.co/Ldewsa8AUU
#gBETA #Pennsylvania #gener8tor #Meta
Next week, our gBETA Charlotte Health cohort — in partnership with
@AdvocateHealth — will take the stage at the Final Showcase @ThePearlCLT, pitching in front of investors and the city's health innovation community.
Join us 👇
https://t.co/S4pqXXXDQQ
#31DaysofBiz@gener8tor
gener8tor 50 State Countdown: North Carolina. 📣
This week, we're highlighting North Carolina, where founders are building high-growth companies and workers are advancing their careers with support from gener8tor and our ecosystem partners. Through gBETA Charlotte Health and the gener8tor Skills Accelerator, founders are gaining the resources and connections they need to scale, while the gener8tor Skills program is opening new pathways for upskilling and workforce development across the region.
North Carolina impact: 🚀 33 companies supported 💰 $38M raised 💼 184 jobs created
gener8tor Skills Impact in Charlotte: 👤 52 participants 🎓 46 graduates 📊 88% graduation rate
Special thanks to our partners, including the @CLTgov and @advocatehealth for helping make this work possible.
As we continue supporting founders and driving impact across North Carolina, we’re always looking for new communities to partner with. Interested in bringing gener8tor to your city? Let’s connect!
#gener8tor #NorthCarolina #startups #entrepreneurship #innovation
🚀 gener8tor Founder Series Spotlight: Patrick O’Rahilly, FactoryFix.
This week we’re highlighting @paddyorah, Founder & CEO of @factoryfix, an AI recruiting platform helping manufacturers and industrial companies find skilled trades talent.
Patrick started his career building robotic automation systems for manufacturers before launching FactoryFix as a side project to solve workforce challenges in the industrial sector. Today, the company has grown into a profitable business serving more than 700 customers across the manufacturing industry.
A graduate of the gener8tor Milwaukee Accelerator 2017 cohort, Patrick credits the program with helping him refine FactoryFix’s positioning, sharpen his storytelling, and learn the fundamentals of venture fundraising. Through gener8tor, he built relationships with investors, gained exposure to the startup ecosystem, and connected with mentors who helped shape the company’s growth journey.
FactoryFix has since surpassed $10M ARR and continues to grow while staying grounded in the company’s Midwest roots and long-term approach to building a sustainable business.
💡 Patrick’s biggest lesson for founders:
“You have to be comfortable with who you are as a company and not chase every trend.”
📣 Patrick’s ask:
“If you know a manufacturer, industrial company, or staffing firm in the industrial world, send them FactoryFix’s way.”
🎥 Watch the full interview here: https://t.co/CrwXMtWNXu
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. 👇
https://t.co/mNCVJw8c7M
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: https://t.co/bQr9JMSdO1
🚀 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: https://t.co/WomxiOvBje
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.