Michigan Founders Fund Announces Inaugural Pre-Accelerator Cohort in Partnership with gener8tor
Detroit, Mich. — Five standout startups earned a spot in the highly competitive Michigan Founders Fund Winter 2025 Pre-Accelerator Program powered by gener8tor. As the first-ever cohort of this groundbreaking program, these Michigan-based, underrepresented high-growth founders are tackling some of the most pressing challenges across mobility, biotech, civictech, hardtech and the future of work – shaping the industries of tomorrow, right in Detroit.
The cohort members include: Darrell Marshall, founder of Total Analysis; Jessica Black, founder of Berry Bot Soap Maker; Matthew Burnett, founder of ‘round Here; Sheri Washington, founder of Mbility (Michigan Mobility and Logistics); and Arabia Simeon, founder of Politics on the Go. Learn more about each company below.
“We received 200 applications across Southeast Michigan who want to move their startup toward its first investment,” said Rishi Moudgil, Executive Director of Michigan Founders Fund. “The demand demonstrates the opportunity we have to set deliberate pathways for underrepresented founders to advance in our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our region is primed for early-stage, founder-centered support.”
The MFF Pre-Accelerator is a free, seven-week program that provides early-stage startups with mentorship, networking and resources to help them scale. Throughout the seven weeks, cohort members receive expert coaching, access to investors and connections to Michigan’s leading entrepreneurial ecosystem to prepare them for investment and long-term success. The MFF Pre-Accelerator is powered by gener8tor’s gBETA accelerator program, customized in partnership with Michigan Founders Fund to bring exclusive support highly tailored to underrepresented founders in Michigan.
“We’re excited and honored to be a part of this major initiative to bring gBETA’s high-quality programming to the Michigan entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Nate Domenighini, gBETA Associate VP. “We’re so impressed with the ecosystem and support Michigan Founders Fund has generated leading up to this inaugural program, and we’re so committed to supporting these founders for the life of their business.”
Unique to accelerators at this stage, each founder receives a $15,000 grant from Michigan Founders Fund, creating an opportunity for them to turn the traction from the program into immediate impact for their companies.
“We are excited to support this talented group of founders and their ventures. Michigan founders are hungry for opportunity, and we are excited to create a new way for them to engage,” said Brittni Abiolu, the inaugural program manager. “Our goal is to strengthen Michigan’s startup ecosystem by providing founders with the tools and connections they need to scale their businesses and make a lasting impact.”
The Winter 2025 cohort began on January 30 and will work closely between Michigan Founders Fund and gener8tor, which includes experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to refine their business models, gain traction, and prepare for future growth. The program will culminate in a Founder Showcase on March 27, 2025, where participants will showcase their companies to potential investors, stakeholders, and ecosystem builders.
For more information about the program or to get involved, visit www.gener8tor.com/mffpa or contact Brittni Abiolu at brittni@michiganfoundersfund.org.
Michigan Founders Fund Pre-Accelerator powered by gener8tor Winter 2025 Cohort
Total Analysis develops rapid onsite pathogen detection tools designed to safeguard public health by preventing infectious disease outbreaks. This technology enables healthcare providers and public safety officials worldwide to conduct quick and accurate pathogen screening, improving decision-making and community safety. Total Analysis is making strides in biosurveillance, evidenced through the filing of a utility patent and a $275K award from the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research Grant, strengthening market presence and driving further innovation.
Founder & CEO: Darrell Marshall, PhD
Based in: Detroit, Michigan
Learn more here: https://www.totalanalysisusa.com/learnmore
The Berry Bot Soap Maker, a Berry Clean Brands, Inc. product, is a smart automated machine that makes cold-process soap and reduces the production time from 3 hours to 15 mins or less. This technology empowers 300,000+ US and global soap makers including boutique hotels, spas, and remote communities, enabling custom, on-brand soap creation. Engineering efforts have started to build the first MVP. The Berry Bot Soap Maker has a utility patent and a global PCT patent filed and published for the method and system. Berry Bot Soap Maker has garnered strong interest from key stakeholders, including professional soap makers and strategic partners like the Refugee Garden Initiatives, as evidenced by signed letters of intent and a growing waitlist currently at 20 potential buyers.
Founder & CEO: Jessica Black
Based in: Detroit, Michigan
Learn more here: https://berrybotsoapmaker.com/
‘round Here is a digital platform that connects Michigan's business community to an ecosystem of service providers and financial and educational resources that business owners need to start and scale their ventures all in one place. ‘round Here has achieved $250K in pre-launch revenue and $50K in commission from event sales with $2,500 in recurring revenue.
Founder & CEO: Matthew Burnett
Based in: Detroit, Michigan
Learn more here: https://roundhere.io/
Michigan Mobility and Logistics LLC (MML) is a deep-tech company behind Mbility™, a mobility software platform that automates and optimizes transportation business processes. Mbility™ connects long-haul and hyperlocal on-demand delivery vehicles with customers transporting large items, offering real-time tracking, customer relationship data, analytics, and business tools for smarter, cost-efficient logistics. Its most notable traction includes a $210K contract with Michigan Works Southeast (MWSE), now in its second year. Mbility™ also successfully beta-tested its software with Restaurant Depot and Value City Furniture and have a pending design patent.
Founder & CEO: Sheri Washington
Based in: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Learn more here: https://www.mml.mobi/
POGO is redefining civic engagement for Gen Z and Millennials by making voter participation intuitive, interactive, and actionable. Their gamified, mobile-first platform simplifies the voter experience by matching users with candidates, providing personalized voter guides, and extending engagement beyond elections. Since launching, POGO has gained early traction through paid pilots and 5 partnership events, generating $7,500 in revenue. The POGO app has been downloaded 600 times (a 50% conversion rate from a waitlist of 1,200).
Founder & CEO: Arabia Simeon
Based in: Detroit, Michigan
Learn more here: https://politicsonthego.info
About Michigan Founders Fund
Michigan Founders Fund is the leading statewide network for high-growth founders and investors. Focused on building a thriving and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem through a founder-first culture, members represent a wide range of demographics and regions across the state. More than 150 members have collectively raised over $350 million of investment capital through 15 different industry verticals, while also remaining committed to lifting local communities.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Michigan Founders Fund is composed of founder and investor members who commit 1% equity or carry to a philanthropic fund supporting Michigan’s social sector through local grantmaking.
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 Global Venture Capital Firm of the Year in 2022.
gener8tor runs gBETA, 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 $806M+ in capital and created 4,896+ jobs across the U.S. and Canada.