The Northwestern Mutual Accelerator, powered by gener8tor, is a specialized initiative designed to invest in high-growth startups led by entrepreneurs who have been historically underserved in accessing capital. This program focuses on supporting up to ten companies annually, divided into two cohorts of five, specifically targeting innovations within the fintech, insurtech, digital health, and data analytics sectors. By providing a combination of financial investment and a concierge accelerator experience, the program aims to bridge the gaps in fundraising and strategic mentorship for emerging growth startups.
Investment and Strategic Benefits
- A $100,000 cash investment provided either directly into a current funding round or as an uncapped convertible bridge note.
- Access to over $1 million in exclusive deals and perks from leading vendors such as IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, PayPal, Zendesk, and Microsoft.
- Dedicated co-working space provided by Northwestern Mutual, designed to facilitate innovation, ideation, and experimentation.
- Twelve weeks of individualized coaching and mentorship from the gener8tor team through bi-weekly one-on-one meetings.
Program Components and Engagement
- Executive Mentor Chats: One-on-one meetings with a paired mentor from Northwestern Mutual who supports the startup for the duration of the 12-week program.
- Mentor Swarms: Speed-dating-style sessions with a network of over 100 connections, including serial entrepreneurs, industry experts, and venture capitalists.
- Investor Swarms: Opportunities for each company to pitch to more than 80 angel investors, VCs, and corporate funds at both local and national levels.
- Weekly Cohort Programming: Educational sessions covering critical startup topics such as market sizing, revenue model selection, and investor pitching techniques.
- Cohort Meals: Peer-to-peer networking opportunities for founders to share knowledge and strengthen leadership skills.
- Premiere Night: A celebratory reception and pitch event attended by an audience of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and community members.
- Program Wrap-Up: A final phase for celebrating completion, providing feedback, and completing mandatory exit surveys.
Eligibility and Application Criteria
- Industry Focus: Startups must operate within the sectors of Fintech, Insurtech, Digital Health, or Data Analytics.
- Geographic Requirements: Applications are accepted globally, provided that at least one founder is based in the United States.
- Startup Stage: The program accepts companies at various stages of development, from the initial "napkin stage" through post-revenue.
- Participation Format: The accelerator is a hybrid program with most in-person events held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; relocation is encouraged but not required.
- Commitment to Diversity: The program prioritizes founders who have been historically underserved in the venture capital ecosystem.
Leadership and Contact Information
- Senior Managing Director: Precious Drew (precious@gener8tor.com).
- Program Director: Darius Smith (darius@gener8tor.com).
- Support Access: Prospective participants can engage through scheduled office hours or direct email inquiries to the program team.
This program represents a strategic alignment with Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures' core focus areas, offering a robust platform for startups to gain traction and visibility. By integrating financial capital with intensive mentorship and a vast corporate network, the Northwestern Mutual Accelerator continues to foster an innovative landscape for the next generation of industry leaders.