This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Danielle Scarzello, director of the gBETA program at gener8tor.
This free, seven-week program for early-stage entrepreneurs provides one-on-one assistance and mentorship opportunities, as well as informative gatherings exploring various business topics.
At the end of the program, the startup leaders get the chance to pitch their companies to investors and others during a showcase event.
Scarzello discusses how gBETA differs from other accelerator programs, touting gener8tor’s “concierge” approach to sharing resources and opportunities with founders.
“Not only is it a very curated process of how we think about selecting a cohort and how we think about making connections for those founders in the cohort, but we’re also just thinking about the experience of being a startup founder as well,” she said.
The program is meant for entrepreneurs who have some initial traction or validation in the market, to help them ramp up their idea and build momentum.
“Oftentimes, it’s not one thing or three things you’re working on, but try hundreds of things at the same time,” she said. “So figuring out a way to basically make this process as seamless as possible is so instrumental.”
And while the program is meant generally for early-stage businesses, Scarzello says that can look very different depending on the specific company and industry.
The discussion also explores the growing footprint of gBETA, which has chapters elsewhere around the world. While it’s headquartered in Madison, Scarzello said the program has reached dozens of markets globally.
She said gBETA “has been one of our fastest growing product lines” within gener8tor, noting the program’s ability to support founders that are pre-investment and seeking help with getting started.
“Oftentimes we’re working with student-based teams out of universities, or we’re also working with maybe that 9-to-5 employee who’s secretly building after 5 p.m.,” she said.
The gBETA Madison program recently announced its Spring 2026 cohort, which will be capped off with an April 28 showcase event.
Listen to the podcast below, sponsored by UW-Madison:
