Smart & Circular Accelerator Program

The gBETA Smart Manufacturing / Industry 4.0 accelerator is a free, seven-week program offered by gener8tor, a nationally ranked startup accelerator. Designed specifically for early-stage companies operating within the smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 domains, this cohort-based initiative is hosted in Indianapolis, Indiana, and accepts participants from across the United States. The program is highly selective, with only five startups accepted per cohort. gBETA provides a structured curriculum focused on growth and investor readiness, without taking equity or charging any fees, making it an accessible yet competitive opportunity for emerging ventures. Founded with the mission of supporting startup founders in gaining traction and preparing for future investment, gener8tor’s gBETA program connects participants with seasoned mentors and experienced investors. Startups receive individualized coaching and strategic guidance tailored to their growth stage and industry challenges. Over the seven weeks, participants engage in weekly programming including two one-hour strategy meetings with a Program Manager, one-hour educational "Lunch & Learn" sessions on topics such as financing, revenue models, and market competition, and weekly "Mentor Swarms" – intensive, speed-dating style sessions with over 30 mentors. The program concludes with a "Showcase" event, where startups pitch to a curated group of 25+ investors. In addition to the accelerator's programming, startups benefit from more than $1 million in perks and services from partners such as IBM Cloud, Amazon, Microsoft, Paypal, Zendesk, and Hubspot. These perks help founders scale their businesses through cloud credits, marketing tools, and other operational support. The program does not provide direct investment, but aims to help participants prepare for investment accelerators or early seed rounds. Eligibility for the gBETA Smart Manufacturing / Industry 4.0 program is open to early-stage companies working within smart manufacturing and related sectors. Participants must be willing to commit 85–100% of their time to the program’s weekly activities, estimated at 5–7 hours per week. Founders should be open to feedback, coachable, responsive, and capable of discussing their businesses with mentors and investors in a transparent manner. While not all proprietary details must be shared, openness to collaboration is essential. Companies should also be fundraising or preparing to scale sales operations. The Spring 2026 cohort in Indianapolis runs from June 4, 2026, through July 27, 2026. Applications are due by April 26, 2026. The program begins with a 1.5-day kickoff including team-building activities and one-on-one sessions with Program Managers. Post-program, gBETA alumni continue to receive support through gener8tor’s extended network, conference access, and “Lightning Rounds”—one-on-one investor meetings curated for alumni startups. All interested applicants are required to submit through the official application form, which includes business description, industry classification, current traction, team background, fundraising status, and an optional pitch deck or executive summary. There is no requirement for letters of intent, concept papers, or pre-proposals. For additional questions or to schedule office hours, prospective applicants can contact Davide Dantonio, Director of gBETA Industry 4.0, at davide@gener8tor.com.