The first cohort of the UW-Green Bay Pre-Accelerator program includes Wisconsin startups developing advanced wound dressings, data analysis platforms, anti-fraud programs and more.
The university and startup accelerator gener8tor yesterday announced the inaugural cohort for the free, seven-week program. It’s meant to help entrepreneurs develop their early-stage companies through “intensive concierge coaching” and connections to investors and others through gener8tor’s network.
Ultimately, the non-equity program aims to “set a path for startups” to participate in equity-based accelerator programs and seek investment capital, organizers say.
“Through this partnership, local founders will receive tailored mentoring and coaching to sharpen their ideas, strengthen their business models, and accelerate their growth,” said Vanessa Huerta, a partner at gener8tor.
Participants include:
*Copacati, led by Michael Moran. The company has a data analysis platform for mid-sized businesses that can pull together information from various systems. Its website describes the service as an “AI-powered deep research tool” that can provide concrete answers on enterprise data.
*MyVendue, led by Rich Thomson Jr. The startup is developing a business-to-business marketplace that aims to help buyers and sellers both save time and money, according to an overview from the program. It’s currently bringing on “early adopters” to validate the platform and spark activity there.
*Phoenix-Aid, which has created a specialized wound dressing material for patients with chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, designed to improve healing and reduce infections. Led by founder Ashwin Karthikeyan, the company is doing animal studies in Madison and gearing up for a clinical trial in India. Listen to an earlier podcast with Karthikeyan, who won the latest Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.
*SecAsset, a startup led by Malcolm Broadnax with a platform meant to help small and mid-sized companies fight fraud. It keeps company funds from being moved without approval to “prevent financial misuse” early, with automated alerts for irregular transactions and more.
*TEST MEKA, led by Kenneth Webb. The company has an automated system for software testing, which it says can “eliminate maintenance overhead” without having to write any code. Startup leaders say they’ve completed a beta version of the platform and are working to secure IP protection.
The program kicked off last month. Participants will pitch their companies to the public in January during a showcase event following the program. Organizers note event details are coming soon.
See the release.
