“These teams are bringing a novel, AI centric approach to a broad variety of industries ranging from medicine and veterinary care to finance, logistics, and urban planning." -- Clayton Custer, program manager for gBETA
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025) – Five Wisconsin startups are getting a boost in their growth journeys thanks to the seven-week gBETA accelerator program at Waukesha County Technical College's Applied AI Lab. The gBETA program is run by venture capital firm gener8tor, which helps early-stage companies prepare for growth and potential investment by providing mentorship, coaching and access to a network of investors.
The five participating companies include:
- Gesund Health Data – Platform to simplify complex health data, creating clear clinical narratives for better patient care.
- Shepherd Traffic – System that analyzes traffic videos to generate trajectory data, improving the study, maintenance and design of transportation infrastructure.
- Zentrix.ai – Platform that leverages cutting-edge AI and machine learning to deliver powerful trading signals in real time, making advanced trading accessible to everyone.
- LyraVet – Smart veterinary practice management software designed to help streamline workflows and enhance patient care.
- FreightIQ – System to automate shipment creation from emails and optimize scheduling for thousands of freight brokers handling half of North America's freight.
This gBETA program is the second accelerator offered by gener8tor at the lab, according to Laura Krohn, WCTC’s chief of staff. In fall, gener8tor’s gALPHA accelerator welcomed 12 founders of new and existing businesses who were interested in learning more about how artificial intelligence could help prepare these startups to move forward.
The current gBETA program -- in which five companies were selected from a pool of applicants from Wisconsin and four other states -- aims to help companies that are looking to achieve rapid growth and/or raise venture capital. Startup founders receive intensive concierge coaching and access to gener8tor's national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors.
The five companies, including zentrix.ai (a participant in the initial gALPHA cohort), were selected based on their growth potential and investor readiness.
“Throughout the gALPHA program at WCTC’s Applied AI Lab, we gained the crucial feedback and mentorship needed to turn our idea into a business…” said Wyatt Johnson, founder of Zentrix.ai. “Having recently launched our MVP platform at Zentrix.ai, we're incredibly excited to be accepted into gener8tor’s gBETA program at the lab. Throughout the next seven weeks, we're looking forward to gaining extensive mentorship, feedback and insights that will help us continue developing and improving our business. Gener8tor's incredible network of mentors and resources, paired with access to cutting-edge AI technology, makes this program such a unique and valuable experience for us.”
Clayton Custer, program manager for gBETA at WCTC’s Applied AI Lab, said gener8tor is thrilled by the opportunity to support talented founders who are doing groundbreaking work with artificial intelligence.
“These teams are bringing a novel, AI centric approach to a broad variety of industries ranging from medicine and veterinary care to finance, logistics, and urban planning,” Custer said.
At the end of the gBETA program, participants will pitch their companies to investors, community partners and the public at a showcase event set for Wednesday, April 9, from 5-7 p.m., in the College’s Anthony J. Natalizio Center (Building S), on the main WCTC campus, 800 Main Street, Pewaukee.
>> Startup companies and founders interested in learning more about gener8tor accelerators, including the gBETA or gALPHA programs, should visit gener8tor.com/programs, or connect with Custer at clayton.custer@gener8tor.com.
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 accelerator programs and conferences in more than 45 communities across 25 states and territories and three countries.
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 $811M+ in capital and created 4,316+ jobs across the U.S. and Canada.