The gBETA Grand Forks accelerator program is a free, seven-week program designed for early-stage startups with roots in North Dakota. It is part of the larger gBETA network, a program of the nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor. The program selects up to five startups per cohort through a competitive application process and provides them with extensive mentorship, coaching, and investor networking opportunities. Participating companies receive individualized support focused on growth and investor readiness, weekly “Lunch & Learns” covering key business topics, and introductions to over 30 mentors throughout the program. Additionally, startups gain access to over $1 million in vendor perks from companies like IBM Cloud, Amazon, PayPal, and Microsoft.

The primary goal of gBETA is to prepare startups for raising investment funding or entering an investment accelerator. The program provides structured support, including two one-hour strategy meetings per week, weekly mentor sessions, and specialized investor meetings in the final week. The program culminates in a showcase event where participating startups pitch their businesses to investors, mentors, and customers. Following completion, alumni receive ongoing support and access to additional networking and investment opportunities through gener8tor.

gBETA Grand Forks requires participants to commit at least 85% of their time to program activities, with an estimated weekly involvement of 5-7 hours, not including independent business work. The program seeks startups that are actively selling or prepared to scale sales, open to fundraising, and willing to engage openly with mentors and investors. Participants must also be coachable and responsive in a fast-paced environment.

The accelerator does not require equity or fees from participants, making it an accessible opportunity for startups seeking structured support without financial barriers. While gBETA does not provide direct investment, it facilitates introductions to investors and helps participants refine their fundraising strategies. The program provides ongoing post-program support through gener8tor’s alumni network, corporate partnerships, and investor connections.

The Spring 2025 cohort of gBETA Grand Forks has an application deadline of February 28, 2025, with the program running from March 27 to May 16, 2025. The program begins with a kickoff event featuring team-building activities and introductory meetings with program managers. Throughout the seven-week duration, participants engage in educational workshops, mentor meetings, and investor networking sessions. The final week includes one-on-one investor pitch meetings and a showcase event.

The program director for gBETA Grand Forks is Lajja Shah, who can be contacted at lajja.shah@gener8tor.com for inquiries. The program seeks innovative, early-stage startups based in North Dakota that are looking to scale and raise capital. Entrepreneurs interested in applying can submit their applications online before the deadline.