BEAM Circular Accelerator powered by gener8tor

The BEAM Circular Accelerator invests in world-class founders driving the future of innovation in biomanufacturing and bio-enabled climate solutions. We support rising entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations to accelerate their path to scale-up in California’s North San Joaquin Valley, a region in the heart of the most productive agricultural land on the planet with a burgeoning biomanufacturing industry cluster and innovation ecosystem. The accelerator provides capital, expertise, and connections to develop bioeconomy startups into thriving enterprises that deliver positive community and environmental impact.

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About the Program

The BEAM Circular Accelerator will support five innovative and high-growth startups spearheading advancements in the circular bioeconomy. This program delivers capital, coaching, and connections to help startups grow into high-value companies with scalable infrastructure. Open to any startup focused on enhancing sustainability through bioeconomy solutions, the program actively engages with founders who reflect the depth and breadth of the North San Joaquin Valley and other communities impacted by environmental challenges.

$30K of non-dilutive funding from BEAM Circular + option of seeking up to $100K of equity investment from HawkTower VC into your high-growth circular bioeconomy startup. Gain access to gener8tor’s global network of mentors and investors along with strategic advising and connections to BEAM Circular’s extensive network of technical and industry partners across Northern California.

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PARTNERS

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Upcoming Program

Investment Terms

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!

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Investment

Selected teams will receive $30K in non-dilutive funding with potential for an additional $100K of equity investment. More mature companies may seek higher level of venture backing.

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. Access to BEAM Circular’s industry and innovation partner network, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California faculty, agriculture and food processing industry partners, and economic development partners ready to support your path to scale-up.

Deals and Perks

$1M + in deals and perks from vendors like IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, PayPal, Zendesk, Hubspot and Microsoft.

Showcase Night

Exclusive reception during which participating companies have the opportunity to pitch to an audience of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and community members.

About BEAM Circular

BEAM Circular is building a vibrant regional ecosystem for the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland. Anchored in the North San Joaquin Valley (NSJV), the non-profit organization facilitates public-private collaboration to scale the most promising innovations in bioindustrial manufacturing and to advance solutions that support economic and environmental outcomes for local communities.

BEAM Circular serves as lead facilitator of the Circular Bioeconomy Innovation Collaborative (CBIO), a growing coalition of local and state government, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, education institutions, and community partners who are working to create a world-leading ecosystem for circular bioeconomy innovation in the NSJV. By joining the BEAM Circular Accelerator, startups will become part of this growing community dedicated to supporting innovators on their path to scaling solutions that advance community and environmental wellbeing. Through BEAM Circular and CBIO Collaborative, entrepreneurs will gain access to a wide variety of tools, resources, connections, exposure opportunities, and networking.

For more information about BEAM Circular, visit www.beamcircular.org.

What Are We Looking For?

Applications are welcome from startups headquartered anywhere in the world, however we are seeking to invest in companies with a path to meaningful job creation and operations in the North San Joaquin Valley Region of California that will enhance the region’s economy and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Our focus is on circular bioeconomy solutions that reduce or prevent waste and pollution, with an emphasis on startups that create valuable chemicals, materials, energy, food ingredients, and/or consumer products from renewable organic materials (biomass) sourced from waste-streams or agricultural byproducts.

Scalable Business Model

We focus on startups with the potential for significant and scalable economic impact. If you are generating revenue or have a clear path toward greater adoption, we urge you to apply.

How Can We Help?

With our expertise in sales, marketing, go-to-market strategy, and fundraising, we select startups that are primed for growth. If you are at a stage where our network, resources, and expertise can amplify your impact, we encourage you to apply.

Passionate and Dedicated Founders

Building a venture-backable business is incredibly challenging. We are here to support you at every stage, so we seek founders who are truly passionate about their business and mission. Addressing bioeconomy and sustainability challenges demands insights from diverse communities, so we strongly encourage founders from underrepresented groups to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have more questions about our program? Browse our most frequently asked questions and answers here.

We welcome applications from circular bioeconomy startups headquartered anywhere globally.
This accelerator supports firms to open or scale-up operations in the North San Joaquin Valley (NSJV), a region in the heart of the most productive agricultural region in the US within commute-distance to the San Francisco Bay Area.
The NSJV is uniquely and strategically positioned to support circular bioeconomy innovation and biomanufacturing operations due to its combination of large-scale agriculture and abundant feedstocks; heavy concentration of large-scale manufacturing activities with relevant manufacturing workforce, supply chain infrastructure, and expertise; and proximity to world-leading centers of biotechnology innovation and venture capital resources.
Spanning Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties, the NSJV is home to three universities, including UC Merced, CSU Stanislaus, and the University of the Pacific, as well as three community colleges and a growing ecosystem of public and private collaborators focused on attracting and nurturing sustainably biomanufacturing in the region.
The program will be hybrid with some required elements of the program to take place in the North San Joaquin Valley. Teams will be required to a week in-person for kickoff at the beginning of the program, a 1-week retreat in Week 6, and the week of the program showcase in Spring 2025. Selected teams will be given the option of full-time residency at a shared office space in the region.
This program is designed to support startups looking to take advantage of the resources offered in the North San Joaquin Valley and interested in establishing a presence here. Special consideration and preference will be given to teams who demonstrate an interest in leveraging our resources in the area to grow their company here.