Local entrepreneurs pitch business ideas to investors at 6th annual gBETA Beloit Showcase

11 Dec 2023

BELOIT — Beloit’s brightest minds will be gathering to pitch their business ideas at the gBETA Beloit Sixth Annual Showcase event, hosted by gener8tor, on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Irontek, 645 3rd St, in Beloit.

gBETA is a business startup program that allows five local startup companies to pitch their ideas to investors, mentors, community partners and the public.

In addition to introducing founders to potential investors, the program also allows them to interact with the public. Each of the five startup companies will have tables set up so audience members can ask questions and meet the team.

“I feel like most people have ideas, most people have ambition to save the world in some manner,” said gBETA Beloit Director Anthony Swindell. “The draw is watching people who have an idea, but are also acting on it and bringing that idea to life.”

According to Swindell, the companies that have participated in this free, seven-week program have collectively raised $30 million for Beloit and created more than 200 jobs.

The five businesses selected for the program this year include MTOP, 1Director, Betz Bots, Nommli, and FAST Medical.

MTOP’s Smart Suite is a cloud-based software that will help law enforcement and security agencies monitor video surveillance and other intelligence. 1Director introduces a platform that allows funeral home employees to collaborate with their customers, and Betz Bots hosts robot competitions for builders, as well as offering robot parts, kits and accessories.

Nommli partners with restaurants to provide an ethnic meal shipping marketplace, and FAST Medical helps assisted living facilities by creating a scale that determines how much care an individual needs.

“Beloit being a very small community, I think it’s amazing that we’re able to find founders in the area and put them in a program that celebrates their growth and their traction,” said Erin Currier, Director of Investment at Grey Collar Ventures & Irontek. “[We aim to] foster growth of the startup community and provide resources to founders at no cost to them.”

gBETA Beloit is made possibly by its partnership with Hendricks Commercial Properties and Irontek. For more information about the program or to begin your application for next year’s event, visit the website at https://www.gener8tor.com/gbeta/beloit.

gBETA Beloit Director Anthony Swindell introduces the fall showcase in 2022. The gBETA Sixth Annual Showcase will be held Dec. 13 at IronTek in downtown Beloit. Photo provided

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