Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator
The gener8tor Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator helps founders working on innovative water technology build lasting companies that enhance the Great Lakes region's economic and environmental resilience.
About the Program
The gener8tor Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator is not your typical accelerator. Small cohort sizes, an intense focus on growth, one-on-one introductions to hundreds of experts, mentors, corporate partners and investors, $100k in non-dilutive funding, and a concentrated and passionate focus on your startup means you get done in 3-months what usually takes a year.
This program is for you if are building cutting-edge water technology that can help preserve and protect the Great Lakes region. It’s for you if you have deep domain expertise and an intense desire to make an impact on water resources, coastal resiliency and economic development. And most of all, this program is for you if you want to build an enduring and lasting business that will better the Great Lakes region (and beyond) for generations to come.
This accelerator is made possible through the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) supporting American small business innovation and regional economic growth.
gener8tor is a nationally ranked accelerator that invests in high-growth startups and supports the growth of these startups through its network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors and venture capitalists.
See the latest gener8tor Investment Accelerator statistics here.
Supercharge your startup through access to relevant and impactful network of mentors, investors, corporate partners and $100K in non-dilutive funding for growth. Get the coaching and mentorship you need to build a lasting company.
In Collaboration With
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Managing Director
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To be announced soon!
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We are not currently accepting applications for this program.
Stay tuned. While there aren't any upcoming programs for this location at the moment, there are plenty of other available opportunities at gener8tor!
Investment
Selected teams will receive $100K in non-dilutive funding through this program.
Strategic Network
We make highly relevant and impactful connections to corporate partners, investors and experienced mentors to help you scale your impact. Build relationships within the cohort of five companies, and the community of gener8tor alumni.
Focused Support
1 of 5…not 10…not 15…not 100. We only invest in five companies per program. We focus all of our time, energy and network on you.
Mentorship, Coaching & One-on-One Meetings
Twelve weeks of individualized coaching and mentorship from the gener8tor team during bi-weekly, one-on-one meetings. One-on-one meetings with 100+ connections including serial entrepreneurs, industry experts and investors.
Deals and Perks
$1M + in deals and perks from vendors like IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, PayPal, Zendesk, Hubspot and Microsoft.
Showcase
Exclusive reception during which participating companies have the opportunity to pitch to an audience of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and community members.
Meet Our Team
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Ryan Jeffery
Senior Managing Director
Ryan Jeffery is an experienced entrepreneur, investor and advisor who helps leaders and organizations do their best work. With over a decade of experience founding and building high-growth organizations, Ryan is focused on supporting early-stage companies at the forefront of our climate and environmental crisis. Ryan is a three-time founder (one acquired), investor, board member, and advisor to numerous startups.
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Soham Dalal
Managing Director
Soham is an electrical engineer turned investor. He spent more than half a decade working with Electric Utilities helping modernize their infrastructure by designing and managing $MM projects. He got his MBA from Northwestern Kellogg with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital before pivoting into the world of Venture Capital. By leveraging his engineering and business backgrounds, he is focused on accelerating early-stage startups achieve their full potential and solve our climate crisis.
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Dexter Artienda
Director
Dexter Artienda is committed to supporting and fostering the growth of companies that are addressing and solving our climate crisis. With a wealth of experience spanning over a decade across venture capital, higher education, and state government nationwide, Dexter plays a pivotal role in nurturing and guiding the growth of companies to ensure they access capital needed to get to the next stage. Dexter currently supports all of gener8tor sustainability accelerator programs and previously managed 3 sustainability and industry agnostic accelerators.
More Information
Learn more our mission, meet our program alumni and explore how to become a Mentor.
Let’s Talk!
We’ll answer questions, tell you more about the program or listen to your pitch during a 15-min office hours visit.
Find a Program
Get an overview of gener8tor’s various program offerings and find the right program fit for you.