The U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator, sponsored by U.S. Venture and powered by gener8tor, is a 12-week program designed for high-growth startups in the sustainability and mobility sectors. The initiative aligns with U.S. Venture's mission to be a leading provider of transportation products and sustainability solutions. The accelerator invests in five startups per cohort, providing them with capital, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help them scale their impact.
Program Details
- Program Name: U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator Spring 2026
- Application Deadline: January 4th, 2026
- Program Kickoff: April 1st, 2026
- Program End: June 22nd, 2026
- Location: Appleton, Wisconsin
- Format: Startups are required to participate in-person and relocate to Appleton for the duration of the program to fully engage with the cohort-based programming and local ecosystem.
Investment and Benefits
- Investment Terms: Selected teams receive a $100,000 investment. This is structured as a direct investment into the current round if raising, or as an uncapped convertible bridge note to be converted into the next round if not currently raising.
- Focused Support: The program maintains a small cohort size, investing in only five companies per program to provide focused time, energy, and network resources.
- Mentorship and Coaching: Participants receive twelve weeks of individualized coaching and mentorship from the gener8tor team through bi-weekly, one-on-one meetings.
- Strategic Network: The program facilitates one-on-one meetings with over 100 connections, including serial entrepreneurs, industry experts, and investors. Startups build relationships with corporate partners, the cohort, and the broader gener8tor alumni community.
- Deals and Perks: Access to over $1 million in deals and perks from vendors such as IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, PayPal, Zendesk, Hubspot, and Microsoft.
- Premiere Night: The program culminates in an exclusive reception where participating companies have the opportunity to showcase their ventures.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
- Company Focus: The program accepts applications from startups focused on sustainability or mobility.
- Geographic Eligibility: Applications are welcome from startups headquartered anywhere in the United States and Canada, with the requirement to relocate to Appleton, Wisconsin, for the program's duration.
- Business Model: The accelerator seeks startups with a scalable business model that demonstrates the potential for significant economic impact. Companies that are generating revenue or have a clear path toward greater adoption are encouraged to apply.
- Founder Profile: The program looks for passionate and dedicated founders, with a particular interest in those who are underrepresented, who are committed to solving the problem their venture addresses.
Program Location and Ecosystem
- The Appleton Ecosystem: The program is based in Appleton, Wisconsin, a city known for its blend of urban conveniences and a supportive community environment. As part of the Fox Valley, the region has a diverse industrial history, spanning technology, manufacturing, retail, and service sectors, providing a thriving environment for businesses.
This accelerator offers a comprehensive platform for early-stage companies in the sustainability and mobility fields to accelerate their growth. Through a combination of direct investment, intensive mentorship, and access to a robust strategic network, the program is structured to help founders scale their ventures. Interested parties can find more information, including frequently asked questions and opportunities to connect with the program team, through the official program channels.