gBETA Distillery Labs Announces Sixth Cohort
PEORIA, Ill. - After receiving 21 applications from startups across the Greater Peoria Region, gener8tor, a venture firm and accelerator network based in Madison, Wisconsin, selected the six companies to participate in Distillery Labs’ next gBETA cohort. These companies are focused on STEAM learning, transportation services for youth, an ecommerce platform utilizing AI, an innovative solution in AgTech, a locker box vending and solutions on the go for EV charging stations, and finally, a security response to aid first responders and deter the shooter in the case of mass shootings.
The gBETA Distillery Labs accelerator, which kicked off its sixth program in late March, focuses on early-stage companies working in Greater Peoria and surrounding areas. The selected startups are Lux Blox, Palzaar, Shothawk, SWYCH Box, TerraVate Energy and Tranzme. See details about the selected companies at the end of this release.
gBETA Distillery Labs is a free, seven-week, no-equity accelerator program that provides startup founders with intensive concierge coaching and access to its national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors. The programs are designed to set a path for startups to participate in equity-based accelerator programs and pursue investment opportunities.
Distillery Labs and gener8tor recruited startups locally for the gBETA program in an effort to support homegrown companies. Each of the companies participating in this cohort is in the Greater Peoria region.
“Over the last three years, gener8tor’s presence in Peoria has made our entrepreneurship ecosystem stronger and more vibrant,” said Scott Sorrel, County Administrator from Peoria County. “Realizing the potential that programming like gBETA could bring to the community, the County of Peoria was an early advocate. Our public dollars in programming versus an individual company leverages the greatest opportunity to grow jobs and private investment in our local economy.”
gener8tor selected the cohort of six companies from among 21 applicants.
“Having the opportunity to work with six startups for this cohort is a challenge for time, but this group is making the most of every opportunity given,” said Danielle Scarzello, gBETA Distillery Labs Program Manager. “This cohort is venture curious and we’re seeing team building, stronger MVPs and driven founders looking for that support and encouragement, embracing it every step of the way.”
Distillery Labs has some updates as well, with construction of the building set to be complete by late summer of 2024.
"Every gBETA Distillery Labs cohort is yet another example of how talented, passionate, driven and diverse our startups and startup founders are here in the Peoria region,” said Doug Cruitt, Executive Director of Distillery Labs. “Now that we are mere months away from opening our doors at the new Distillery Labs building downtown, we will have a physical space to continue to serve and support not just these 6 amazing startups, but hundreds of more founders in the years to come."
At the end of the gBETA program, the startup founders will pitch their companies to investors, community partners and the public at a showcase event planned for late summer 2024. More details will be announced at a later date.
Startup companies and founders interested in learning more about gBETA’s programming and resources or applying to a future program are encouraged to visit gener8tor gBETA website.
gBETA Distillery Labs Spring 2024 Cohort
Lux Blox brings flexibility to construction and hands-on STEM learning, equipping individuals to better understand their world by experiencing the complexity of our universe's shapes and motions. Catering to families and educators alike, Lux Blox transforms play into an engaging journey into STEM concepts, providing a meaningful alternative to screen time. Lux Blox has been showcased on 'Fox and Friends,' 'Good Morning America,' and 'The Today Show,' along with securing the FedEx Small Business Grant Competition’s grand prize, and Newsweek's STEM Toy of the Year.
Founders and CEO: Heather Acerra and Mike Acerra | mike@luxblox.com | luxblox.com
Palzaar eliminates the guesswork and complicated learning curves for resellers in the e-commerce space by providing an easy to use platform, where your catalog of goods will be circulated to customers that are ready to buy. Palzaar provides the reseller with a one stop supply to fulfillment service for your business while keeping your sales activity flowing. Since our launch in June 2023, Palzaar, with less than 1% of our catalog accessible, has generated $282,000 in sales with an average of 98% month over month growth in 2024 from only one reseller partner across three markets, without any external funding.
Founders and CEO: Julian Washington, Hosea Washington and Angela Washington | sales@palzaar.com | www.palzaar.com
ShotHawk responds before first responders in active shooting situations, by providing a swift and immediate response until safety officials are able to arrive on scene. ShotHawk does this through an active shooter response system that will utilize machine learning to identify, deploy pepper gel, and contain the active assailant until police arrive. ShotHawk has been a part of the VentureWell E-Teams Program at MIT, the Fortress Bank Tank, and the Bradley University Big Idea Competition.
Founders and CEO: Brandon Johnson, Nate Grove, Ohm Vyas, Justin Fitzpatrick & Graci Graves | shothawkai@gmail.com | shothawkai.com
SWYCH Box revolutionizes your EV charging experience by providing the resources you need to service your vehicle. No more wasted time waiting around while charging – SWYCH Box unlocks your productivity and challenges you to seize every moment efficiently. SWYCH Box is launching soon and the future of EV charging is brighter than ever!
Founders and CEO: Temitope Akinlua and Chase Brower | t.akinlua@swychbox.com | https://www.swych-box.com/
TerraVate Energy supports small-scale cattle farmers (herd sizes 50-350) in generating more value through its manure management system. TerraVate Energy develops affordable small-scale anaerobic digesters, which convert the animal waste into energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer. TerraVate Energy has raised $52,500 in funds from accelerators and research funds and has a MVP under construction ready by EOY 2024.
Founders and CEO: Aman Mehta and Taly Escamilla | aman.mehta2002@gmail.com | sites.google.com/view/terravatebio/home
Tranzme connects children and seniors, with our qualified, caring and trustworthy drivers who will safely transport them to their requested destination. Tranzme drivers have been thoroughly vetted and trained to work with our unique population. Tranzme conveniently schedules transportation via an app that allows the user to track the rider. In the last year, Tranzme was one of the few startup companies that received the Start a Business Greater Peoria Grant of $5000 and has since completed the development of the app.
Founders and CEO: Sheree Pannell, Richard Owusu Sika and Marilyn Giles | shereepannell@yahoo.com | tranzme.com
About Distillery Labs
Distillery Labs is a 40,000 square foot non-profit entrepreneur and technology innovation center in downtown Peoria, Ill., slated to open in mid-2024. Funded through a public-private partnership consisting of a $10 million State of Illinois grant, a $2 million federal grant, and other public and private institutional support, Distillery Labs is part of a broader Illinois Innovation Network and Discovery Partners Institute initiative across Illinois. This project includes every aspect of growing a world-class organization with the mission of connecting people, ideas and resources to launch and grow new companies in Greater Peoria. Further, Distillery Labs is expected to galvanize the Peoria technology, startup and corporate innovation community and help set Peoria on a path to becoming a sought-after destination for entrepreneurs.
About gener8tor
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 programs and conferences in more than 41 communities across 22 states and two countries. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021 and 2022. The International Trade Council recognized gener8tor as the Global Venture Capital Firm of the Year in 2022.
About gBETA
gBETA is a non-equity accelerator that facilitates the growth of early-stage companies through a network-driven program. This accelerator supports five startups per cohort and requires no fees for startups and takes no equity. Since launching in 2015, gBETA accelerator alumni have raised more than $745M in capital and created more than 4,500 jobs across the U.S. and Canada.