BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA- Top-ranked startup accelerator gener8tor announced today the participants selected for 10 of its Fall 2020 gBETA cohorts. The 50 startups are located across the country, and represent a wide variety of industries and verticals, including IIoT, Medtech, SaaS and beyond.

The Fall 2020 gBETA cohort is the inaugural cohort for the Bronze Valley Accelerator. The Bronze Valley Accelerator focuses on supporting female entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color. gBETA is a free, seven-week accelerator that works with five startups at a time for no fees and no equity.

gBETA is a program of nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor. Each cohort is kept small to ensure meaningful engagement with the gener8tor team, network and other resources. Participants receive intensive and individualized coaching and access to gener8tor’s national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors.

“Bronze Valley is committed to creating and maintaining an entrepreneurial environment that is more nurturing, more supportive and more inclusive,” said Bronze Valley President & CEO Neill S. Wright. “This cohort of promising startups represents a great start for the Accelerator.”

The program is designed to help startups gain early customer traction on their product or idea, and establish metrics that can make them competitive applicants for full-time, equity-based accelerators or seed investment.

“Bronze Valley serves as an important element in our efforts to enhance the vitality of Alabama’s innovation ecosystem, and the selection of the first class of startups represents a major milestone for the Accelerator,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “The guidance and mentorship these entrepreneurs will receive from Bronze Valley will play a vital role in launching their companies to the next level."

The 10 Fall programs kicked off on Thursday, Oct. 1, and the startups will work with the gener8tor team over the course of seven weeks to meet mentors, gain customer traction and pitch to investors. Due to COVID-19, the Fall 2020 programs are all being held virtually.

These programs will culminate in gener8tor’s first gBETA Pitch Series, “gener8tor is Grateful For…,” which will highlight each of the fifty companies via Pitch Night events taking place each night the week before Thanksgiving. This series will be an opportunity to listen and learn more about the companies, network with the founders and other community members and celebrate everything we have to be thankful for during this time. To view information about the full Pitch Series, click here. Bronze Valley Accelerator’s cohort will be highlighted during Virtual Pitch Night on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m. CT. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

“The gener8tor and Bronze Valley partnership connects local and national partners, mentors and investors to support underrepresented founders in our region,” said Haley Medved Kendrick, Bronze Valley Accelerator Director. “The inaugural cohort showcases the creativity, resiliency and bravery of our people, and offers a clear example of the innovation happening in our state."

The accelerator is supported by Bronze Valley, Alabama Power and the Alabama Department of Commerce. The Bronze Valley Accelerator is held three times per year, with five Alabama-based companies accepted per cohort to ensure a high level of individualized attention. The Bronze Valley Accelerator works with companies across all industries and business models. Those interested in learning more can reach out to Bronze Valley Accelerator Director Haley Medved Kendrick at haley@gener8tor.com or visit bronzevalleyaccelerator.com/.