gBETA Kenosha hires Larsen as Program Manager

gBETA Kenosha announces the addition of Bethany Larsen as its Program Manager for the City of Kenosha’s early-stage startup accelerator made possible through a partnership between gener8tor and the City of Kenosha.

The gBETA Kenosha accelerator is a program of gener8tor that focuses on early-stage companies working in southeastern Wisconsin. gBETA is a free, seven-week, no-equity accelerator 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 based in Kenosha and southeastern Wisconsin to participate in equity-based accelerator programs and investment opportunities.

gBETA Kenosha is made possible through a grant provided to the City of Kenosha by the Workforce Innovation Grant Program (WIG).

Larsen will lead gBETA Kenosha’s recruiting efforts seeking startups, mentors and investors interested in participating or supporting the founders selected for the accelerator. Once the program kicks off, Larsen will support founders through one-on-one coaching sessions while guiding them through Lunch and Learns. Founders will also receive introductions to mentors and investors throughout the program. The accelerator will be based in the soon-to-open Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy.

“We are excited to have Bethany join the team and lead gener8tor’s program here in Kenosha,” said Mayor John Antaramian.  “As we complete work at the Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy, gener8tor will join other community partners in bringing new opportunities to our Uptown area and surrounding neighborhoods.”

As a Kenosha native, Larsen brings a strong passion for and familiarity with the community. Larsen previously supported small businesses at Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) and co-founded two startups prior to joining gener8tor to lead gBETA Kenosha.

“After living abroad for a decade and watching the pandemic and civil unrest unfold in 2020, I wanted to return to Kenosha and apply what I learned to my community,” said Larsen. “I’m really excited to develop this program and help founders in Kenosha scale their startups, while supporting the growth of the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”