Wisconsin Frontier Technology Consortium launches gBETA Frontier Technology accelerator

The Wisconsin Frontier Technology Consortium launched a new accelerator program aimed at supporting early-stage startups developing emerging technologies in Wisconsin.

The new gBETA Frontier Technology accelerator is for startups working in advanced materials, advanced sensing, artificial intelligence, energy storage, intelligent systems, robotics, quantum computing and quantum sensing.

The accelerator is a free, seven-week, zero-equity program that will provide participating founders with coaching and access to gener8tor’s network of mentors, customers and investors. The program will be hosted at Waukesha County Technical College and is scheduled to begin July 9.

The accelerator was developed through the Wisconsin Frontier Technology Consortium, a statewide coalition led by the Wisconsin Technology Council that received an Ignite Wisconsin grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to strengthen Wisconsin’s frontier technology and startup ecosystem. The consortium includes the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, gener8tor, Waukesha County Technical College and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.

The partnership was formed to align research institutions, startup accelerators, technical colleges and industry networks around the development, commercialization and scaling of emerging technologies.

“Across Wisconsin, researchers and entrepreneurs are developing frontier technologies that will impact the future of our core sectors like manufacturing, ag and healthcare,” said Maggie Brickerman, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. “We are thrilled to launch this accelerator to create stronger pathways for emerging companies to grow here, scale here and help shape Wisconsin’s innovation economy.”

John W. Miller, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, said the program reflects the state’s broader effort to support entrepreneurship and commercialization through the Ignite Wisconsin initiative.

“We’re excited for the launch of this accelerator that supports Wisconsin founders at a critical early stage,” Miller said. “Funded through Ignite Wisconsin, this program reflects our confidence in entrepreneurial talent and our commitment to growing the state’s innovation economy.”

The accelerator is designed to help participating startups build local partnerships with customers and mentors while preparing companies to raise capital and scale their businesses.

Applications for the inaugural cohort are now open.