Web-based workflow management system that helps teachers and students complete personalized learning projects, integrating Google Drive, self-assessment by students, collaborative communication tools, and other features. The company says it currently manages more than 250,000 educational projects for 30,000 students and teachers in more than 160 schools.
—Stock Manufacturing Co. sells high-end, American-made clothing directly to consumers online, enabling it to provide clothes at a lower price by cutting out traditional retailers. The company says it has sold more than 9,000 garments in 40 states and nearly a dozen countries. Its corporate clients include Goose Island Beer Co., Soho House Chicago, and Alinea Restaurant Group.
A few themes are worth pointing out:
1. Maturity: This class includes a few companies that have already established market traction, with hundreds, if not thousands, of customers. It’s tough to gauge if it’s Gener8tor’s most seasoned program to date, however. Co-founder Joe Kirgues characterized the class as Gener8tor continuing its “track record of bringing in companies that have pure napkin ideas and companies that have thousands of customers.”
2. Diversity: Gener8tor has made a point of investing across sectors, and the latest group of startups is no different. Past investments include a handwritten letter company (MailLift), software startups like EatStreet and Abodo, cloud-enabled devices like Understory and Driblet, and a Nespresso for smoothies (LivBlends). This summer’s class features hardware, software, and e-commerce. It crisscrosses industries like fashion, fitness, advertising, and education.
“This is the most diverse program we’ve had to date in terms of domains,” Kirgues says. “We see it as the variety and the breadth of experiences adds a richness to the program that we wouldn’t have if we were just to focus on one vertical.”
3. Geography: The last two Gener8tor programs have attracted companies from around the country and outside of it, and this class features one firm from outside the Midwest (Hitlist). In addition, Stock Manufacturing marks Gener8tor’s third Chicago-based startup, Kirgues says, joining program graduates Optyn and Review Trackers.
But advocates for Wisconsin’s startup community will be encouraged that three of the five companies hail from the Badger State. That seems to be a testament to the growing quality of Wisconsin startups, considering that Gener8tor receives more applications with every class (265, 380, and 450 in the last three, respectively) and it scours the nation for quality companies.
“We’re thrilled that when we looked at the top five, three Wisconsin companies were there,” Kirgues says. “We think that bodes well for what’s going on in the Wisconsin startup scene.”
