INDIANAPOLIS – Global venture firm and startup accelerator, gener8tor, in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, kicked off the gBETA Industry 4.0 and gBETA Future of Mobility cohorts this month. The gBETA accelerators focus on early-stage companies with the potential to grow in Indiana. See details about the selected companies at the end of this release.

gener8tor gBETA is a free seven-week, no-equity accelerator program that provides startup founders with intensive concierge coaching and access to its national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors. The programs are designed to set a path for startups to participate in equity-based accelerator programs and investment opportunities.

The Program Managers, Davide Dantonio and Logan White, interviewed and selected startups from a competitive pool of applicants locally and nationwide in an effort to support homegrown companies as well as introduce startups to the resources available in Indiana. Programming will be held at 16 Tech and The Heritage Group.

“Indiana sees incredible value in building and supporting an ecosystem where innovators in these fast-moving and high-tech industries can thrive,” said Natasha Jensen-Matta, director of small business at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “We are looking forward to working with gener8tor and these impressive companies to help them establish, grow and thrive in Indiana.”

Together, gener8tor and the IEDC aim to bring economic diversity and job growth to Indiana.

“The synergies between IEDC, gener8tor and other players of this ecosystem have been gaining momentum to make Indiana a fertile ground for ideas and innovation,” said Davide Dantonio, gBETA program manager. “We’ve interviewed and selected founders from across the country, and we’ve seen first-hand their excitement to explore the resources, mentorship and investment opportunities in Indiana.
We are building a top-notch ecosystem for startups innovating right here in the Midwest.”

Founders from both cohorts will pitch at gener8tor’s OnRamp Manufacturing Conference October 25-26, in Indianapolis. Startup companies and founders interested in learning more about gBETA’s programming and resources or applying to a future program are encouraged to visit gener8tor’s gBETA website.

gBETA Industry 4.0 Cohort

Wolfberry LLC’s software secures online transactions to help prevent cybersecurity-related outages. Manufacturers, agriculture businesses, software developers and education institutions use Wolfberry’s SaaS product to automate robotic responses using IoT sensors, blockchain and AI modeling. Wolfberry also uses NFTs to enable data sharing between untrusted customers who want to build new AI models. Wolfberry LLC has published a 1.0 MVP as of April 2023 and has been accepted into Microsoft for Startups (3% acceptance rate). Wolfberry LLC was awarded the
top 10 mentions of soil monitoring trends in 2023 by Startus Insights.
CEO: Andrew Couch | andrew@wolfberryllc.com | wolfberryllc.com
Location: Greensburg, Indiana

ScoutIt’s B2B platform connects suppliers of second-hand EV batteries such as car makers, dealers and repair shops with buyers such as energy-storage and reuse enterprises. Through ScoutIt’s AI-based matchmaking, the suppliers profit from EV batteries that usually get disposed of when they still have 80% capacity. Meanwhile, buyers save money and reduce carbon footprint by accessing this second-hand battery supply. Additionally, ScoutIt enables battery geographicaltracking, diagnostics, and logistics, as well as facilitates transactions and CO2-savings estimation. ScoutIt has received $25K in fellowship grants from Santa Clara University. ScoutIt already managed the sales of 700 batteries from a Global Carmaker (Fortune 500) and gathered purchase commitments from several reusers, including global energy companies.
CEO: Davide Giacobbe | davide.giacobbe@scoutitweb.com | scoutitweb.com
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

GEKOT Robotics provides a hardware SaaS solution that improves safety for eScooter and light electric vehicle users while ensuring safety compliance for rental fleet operators. Using IoT-enabled sensors and machine learning, GEKOT detects sidewalk boundaries and mitigates accidents to prevent injuries. Moreover, GEKOT prevents fines due to non-compliance with mandated standards. GEKOT Robotics has raised $323,000 to date through grants and a strategic partnership with industry giant Razor USA. Two real-world pilots are complete with a third pilot in process. Utility patent issued.
CEO: Dan Champoux | danc@gekotinc.com | gekotinc.com
Location: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Kronfeld Motors’ patented Hypercycle is “Tesla meets Peloton,” combining the weather-proof safety and usability of a car with
energy regeneration via pedals and brakes and a programmable fitness function. Usable both in cities and on highways, the Hypercycle is a safe and energy-efficient way to travel and exercise. Kronfeld Motors has 52 pre-orders with $5,000 in reservations. It has also received global press
coverage on Netflix, Daily Mail, Fast Company, and won “Best Invention award” in All American Makers on Discovery Science Channel.
CEO: Richard Kronfeld | rich@kronfeldmotors.com | kronfeldmotors.com
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Aropha‘s testing solution enables large commercial enterprises (CPGs) to perform biodegradability tests at a lower cost and shorter
time than traditional laboratories while reliably meeting new biodegradability standards by U.S. regulatory agencies (above all,
EPA). Through automation and robotics, Aropha provides experimental tests cutting the turnaround time and cost by more than 70%, as well as offers an AI-based predictive solution that allows customers to make predictions within a few clicks. In one year, Aropha
has generated $30K per month in revenue from over 30 customers, with a total revenue of over $170,000. Moreover, Aropha fundraised $100,000 from Comeback Capital, a Midwest VC.
CEO: Kuan Huang | kuan.huang@aropha.com | aropha.com
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

gBETA Future of Mobility Cohort MyUI.AI uses the predictive power of artificial intelligence to adapt digital automotive interfaces for users with disabilities. MyUI.AI’s cloud-based personal profile system creates customized and accessible interfaces in any compatible autonomous vehicle. The MyUI.AI concept was selected as a 2022 semifinalist in the US. Department of Transportation’s Inclusive Design Challenge and an initial prototype is currently being readied for consumer trials.
CEO: Julian Brinkley, Ph.D., PMP | julian.brinkley@myui.ai | myui.ai
Location: Clemson, SC.

Rides2U provides safe, reliable and high-quality transportation options to college communities that are currently under-serviced by mass rideshare companies. Since launching the MVP at Notre Dame on Feb 1, 2023, Rides2U has a GMV of 108K, gained over 2000 users, completed over 950 rides, has over 40 drivers, and averages $170 per customer spend.
CEO: Chad Mastagh l chad@rides2u.com l rides2u.com
Location: South Bend, Ind.

Trunkdrop’s on-demand delivery platform brokers transactions between delivery drivers and those who hire them. Customers who need a delivery completed can select their driver based on their rate, vehicle type, distance to pick-up, overall cost or preferred driver. Drivers set their own hourly rate and can accept or decline any order request compliant with current and future gig-economy regulations. Trunkdrop has over 3,600 registered users and over 1,400 registered driver accounts.
CEO: Jon Schoen l jon.schoen@trunkdrop.com l trunkdrop.com
Location: Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

RubyRide brings trust and community to the rideshare industry by hiring local background-checked drivers and engaging neighborhood partners. On a subscription basis, RubyRide delivers the synergy of SoHo living to the suburbs for a fraction of the price of owning a car. Over nine bootstrapped months, RubyRide has 40% MoM revenue growth and has $1M+ in new committed ARR coming this quarter.
CEO: Jeffrey Ericson l jeff@rubyride.co l rubyride.com
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Terminus Technologies’ proprietary software and patented hardware enables users to understand an object’s motion. Public authorities and governments use the technology to take proactive action to improve their roads and public safety. In addition, Terminus’ technology gathers data points that can be applied to multiple industries (such as public safety, smart cities, medical, and sports racing). Terminus Technologies has an international patent for its technology, a partnership with a leading industry supplier and interest from various public
authorities and industries around the world.
CEO: Joshua Ward | josh@terminustechnologies.io | terminustechnologies.io 
Locations: Indianapolis, Ind. and London

About gener8tor
gener8tor is a global venture firm and accelerator network that supports startups, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. gener8tor partners with companies, governments, universities and nonprofits to operate programs and conferences in more than 41 communities across 22 states and two countries. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in
2021 and 2022. The International Trade Council recognized gener8tor as the Global Venture Capital Firm of the Year in 2022.

About gBETA
gBETA is a non-equity accelerator that facilitates the growth of early-stage companies through a network-driven program. This accelerator supports five startups per cohort and requires no fees for startups and takes no equity. Since launching in 2015, gBETA accelerator alumni have raised $600M+ in capital and created 3,880+ jobs across the U.S. and Canada.

About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the State economy, driving economic development, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Led by Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, @SecChambersIN, and governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, @GovHolcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.