gener8tor Surpasses 800 Startup Alumni — Invests in Director of Startup Community
By: Abby Kursel, Partner at gener8tor
MILWAUKEE — Nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor has hit over 800 startup alumni served across its accelerator programs. While gener8tor was founded in Wisconsin and continues to have a strong presence in Milwaukee, Madison, Beloit and Northeast Wisconsin with 14 active programs, it has expanded to serve entrepreneurs in over 30 cities across the country and internationally.
242 (30%) of these 800 startup accelerator program alumni completed gener8tor programs in the last year alone. Recent expansion includes the addition of programming in San Antonio, Chicago, and even an international expansion to Luxembourg. With over 77 programs in 31 cities, gener8tor has helped startups raise $800M+ in follow-on financing and create 7,400+ jobs.
With this growth, gener8tor is providing additional support for its alumni with its first Director of Startup Community. This role will support and build further community among gener8tor’s network of over 800 alumni, and beyond.
Gisela Ortega, who has been a part of the gener8tor team for over two years, has been promoted to the Director of Startup Community role. Gisela is a community organizer at heart, with over 15 years of experience building community through her own personal grassroots efforts growing up in the Bay Area and in Milwaukee at various non-profit/ government organizations such as VIA CDC and the City of Milwaukee, Department of City Development, where she was able to build out sustainable strategies that have driven strong engagement in underestimated communities and economic growth.
“The gener8tor network already has an amazing community that works side-by-side with us supporting these incredible startups,” Ortega said. “I’m excited to implement grassroots community organizing strategies to further build a stronger foundation of support for startups that will bolster their growth.”
As Director of Startup Community, Gisela will build new resources, spaces and networks for gener8tor alumni to connect, learn and grow. With this critical mass of startups across industry, stage and geography, there are a plethora of opportunities for this community to support one another.
“Gisela has brought a sense of community building to every bit of work she has done within gener8tor to date,” said Abby Kursel, Partner at gener8tor. “We are thrilled to be able to promote her to this role at this critical time as we think about what the next iteration of alumni support looks like for our startups.”
Those interested in getting connected further with the gener8tor network or looking to connect with Gisela can email her at gisela@gener8tor.com or visit www.gener8tor.com to learn more.
