Five early-stage companies with connections to the University of Wisconsin-Madison participated in the summer cohort of gBETA Madison, a free accelerator program run by Wisconsin-based gener8tor, according to an announcement earlier this month. The startups ranged from a yogurt chip company to a virtual reality education firm.
The seven-week program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and is designed to help startups gain early customer traction and prepare to raise seed investment or get accepted into an equity-based accelerator program.
The five companies in the summer gBETA Madison were:
- Yips Yogurt Chips: Led by co-founder and CEO Erin Vranas, this company makes shelf-stable chips made from real probiotic yogurt. They're available online and in more than 24 locations in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Dallas. Vranas is also the co-owner of Parthenon Gyros on State Street in Madison.
- AImer: This company developed BunkScan, an automated computer vision system designed to make feedlot management more efficient. The startup is led by Guiherme Rosa and is piloting the technology at a large cattle farm in Brazil.
- Blitz Electric Mobility: Founded by CEO Saivya Chauhan, Blitz is a provider of electric vehicles and fleet management software. It has six paid pilot projects with companies including global logistics firm DHL International GmbH and restaurant chain Domino's Pizza Inc.
- Petra System: Led by co-founder and CEO Thor Larson, Petra System makes diagnostic software designed to identify early-stage diabetic foot ulcers using machine learning and thermal imaging. The company has raised $25,000 from scholarships and business competitions and has partnered with physicians at UW-Health to conduct clinical research.
- EduReality: This startup makes high-quality virtual reality simulations designed for hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and math subjects. Co-founded by Clayton Custer, the company will be testing the product with four UW-Madison professors in September.
The fall gBETA Madison cohort will run from October through December. There are 28 gBETA programs throughout North America, including in Beloit, Milwaukee and in northeast Wisconsin. Applications for the fall gBETA Milwaukee cohort, which runs until mid-November, are due by Sept. 10.
