The gBETA Round Rock program, a collaborative initiative between the Round Rock Chamber and the nationally ranked venture capital firm gener8tor, offers a free, seven-week, no-equity pre-accelerator for early-stage startups. Designed to support founders in the Greater Round Rock and Central Texas area, the program provides concierge coaching, tailored programming, and access to a global network of mentors, customers, and investors. The initiative focuses on helping entrepreneurs work both in and on their businesses, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and preparing them for future equity-based accelerator programs and investment opportunities.
Program Benefits
• Individualized Coaching: Participants receive one-on-one attention and mentorship from the gener8tor team focused on company growth and investor readiness.
• Network Access: The program facilitates connections with over 30 mentors and more than 25 investors, as well as direct access to ecosystem leaders.
• Deals and Perks: Startups gain access to over $1M in deals and perks from vendors such as IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, Paypal, Zendesk, Hubspot, and Microsoft.
• Community and Support: Benefits include ongoing post-program support, lifetime membership to Morrow powered by GAN (Global Accelerator Network), and involvement in the broader gener8tor community, including conferences and events.
Eligibility Criteria
• Geographic Location: The program is open to early-stage companies with local roots in Round Rock and the Central Texas region.
• Industry Focus: gBETA is industry-agnostic, welcoming startups from a diverse range of sectors to foster business growth in the region.
• Program Commitment: Participants are expected to commit to at least 85% of the programming, which requires a minimum of 5-7 hours per week.
• Founder Attributes: Ideal candidates are coachable, open to feedback, responsive, and prepared to discuss their business openly. They should be focused on scaling their sales and have raising capital as a strategic goal.
Program Timeline
• Program Kick-Off: A 1.5-day event featuring team-building activities and introductory meetings with the gBETA Program Manager.
• Weeks 1-6: This period includes twice-weekly strategy meetings, weekly 'Lunch & Learn' sessions covering key business topics, and 'Mentor Swarms' which are speed-dating style sessions with mentors.
• Week 7: The final week features 'Investor Swarms,' which are curated one-on-one pitch meetings with over 25 investors, and a final Showcase event for live pitches and networking.
• Post-Program Support: Graduates receive ongoing alumni support, access to gener8tor Conferences to connect with corporate partners and investors, and opportunities to participate in 'Lightning Rounds' for curated pitch sessions.
Application Details
• Application Status: Applications for the gBETA Round Rock Spring 2026 program are currently being accepted on a rolling basis.
• Priority Deadline: A priority deadline has been set for March 8, with early applicants receiving priority consideration and interview scheduling.
• Target Applicants: The program is a strong fit for pre-seed startups that are building traction, refining their pitch, and preparing for a capital raise or entry into another investment accelerator.
• Past Program Schedule: For reference, a previous cohort had an application deadline of March 8 (March 9 at 06:59 GMT+1), with the program commencing on April 2.
The gBETA program is structured to provide a launchpad for emerging companies, helping them validate their business models, grow customer traction, and become well-prepared for investor pitches. By leveraging a network-driven approach, the accelerator aims to cultivate a thriving and inclusive innovation ecosystem, strengthening the region's entrepreneurial pipeline and contributing to long-term economic growth.