Butler Accelerator for Education & Workforce Innovation
Accelerating and investing in education and workforce tech startups. This in person 12-week program invests $100K in five startups per cohort, twice a year, working at the forefront of transforming learning in the 21st century.
About the Program
The Butler Accelerator for Education & Workforce Innovation Powered by gener8tor supports startups from across the country that are best poised to transform the way individuals learn and work. Each company receives a $100k investment and 12 weeks of concierge, mentorship-based programming, networking, and potential customer introductions needed to build and grow their business.
This program is open to any startup that is focused on significantly evolving the way traditional educational institutions, learning organizations, or corporations are preparing tomorrow’s learners and addressing the continually evolving needs of the future workplace.
We believe that the most creative solutions to addressing today’s most pressing challenges in education and workforce learning require founders who bring diverse perspectives and experiences, understand how to leverage advanced technology, and have the grit, determination and curiosity to challenge the status quo in order to achieve impactful outcomes for individuals and society.
$100K into your high-growth education or workforce innovation startup – US geography and business model agnostic. In person access to Butler University’s, TechPoint’s and gener8tor’s global networks of subject matter experts, mentors, investors, and potential customers.
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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 Terms
Selected teams will receive a $100,000 investment in return for 7.5% equity in your company using a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE).
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 in person 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.
What We’re Looking For
The Butler Accelerator for Education & Workforce Innovation Powered by gener8tor is open to any startup that is focused on transforming the way individuals work and learn, and it is open to teams based anywhere in the United States. Since the challenges facing education & learning are complex and overarching, we are focusing on startups driving systemic change and look to engage with founders that reflect the diverse communities equitable access is impacting. Solutions for post-secondary education and the future of work are especially encouraged to apply.
Focus on Systemic Change
We prioritize startups focused on driving systemic change at the school, institution, corporate, government, and community level, as well as founders that embrace technology as a way to transform stagnant industries, methods, and processes. Founders from across the country that focus on education, equity in access, future of work, workforce training innovations are encouraged to apply.
Passionate and Dedicated Founders
Innovating education and workforce technology requires diverse experiences from the communities impacted most. We seek out marginalized founders from underrepresented groups who may have been passed over by mainstream investors and accelerators. If you fit this bill, we urge you to apply.
Scalable Business Model
We focus on startups that have the opportunity for significant and scalable economic impact. If you are generating revenue or have a clear path toward greater adoption, we urge you to apply.
Can We Help?
Based on our expertise in sales, marketing, go-to-market, strategy and fundraising, we select startups that are primed for growth. If you are at a point where our network, resources and expertise can scale your impact, we urge you to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have more questions about our program? Browse our most frequently asked questions and answers here.
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Applications are open to teams based anywhere in the United States. The program will be held in-person in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ideal participants are focused on change at the highest level in education, equity in access, future of work, workforce training innovations.
Innovating education and workforce technology requires diverse experiences from the communities impacted most; we seek out marginalized founders from underrepresented groups that have unique perspectives to these difficult challenges.
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This is an in-person program in Indianapolis. Companies will participate in-person for the duration of the 12 weeks. There are are no requirements post-program to relocate, however.
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Selected teams will receive a $100,000 investment in return for 7.5% equity in your company using a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE).
Let’s Chat
Want to chat with someone on our team? Sign up for office hours or email Sarah Aubrey, Senior Managing Director.
Sarah Aubrey
Senior Managing Director
sarah@gener8tor.com
Thank You to Our Partners
In addition to funding, companies selected for this accelerator will have access to a global network of experts, mentors, investors and potential customers through the collective efforts of three leading organizations:
Butler University, located in dynamic Indianapolis, is a nationally recognized comprehensive university that is consistently ranked as the No. 1 regional university in the Midwest and No. 1 for innovation in the same category according to U.S. News and World Report.
TechPoint is an industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s digital innovation economy and overall tech ecosystem which works with public, private and industry partners to expand tech talent pipeline, enhance resource connectivity for enterprise organizations and startups alike, and elevate the industry.
gener8tor is a global venture firm and accelerator network that supports startups, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. gener8tor partners with companies, governments, universities and nonprofits to operate accelerator programs and conferences in more than 41 communities across 22 states and two countries.
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.