9 hot startup accelerators

gener8tor

Operating out Milwaukee and Madison, Wisc., gener8tor pulls from the area's local manufacturing network and offers access to electrical and mechanical systems, industrial design machinery and 3D printing. The program even enlists a "chief hustler" who finds early customers and supplier connections.

"The connections are everything," says John Bialk, founder of Quietyme, which makes a device that monitors things like temperature, smoke and gas in buildings. Bialk had no manufacturing expertise or connections until he participated in gener8tor. "They helped get it made," he says.

gener8tor takes a 6% to 8% stake for $20,000, and guarantees a $50,000 follow-on investment.

Other graduates

• Scanalytics: Software and flooring mats that track people's movement in stores, trade shows and events, and offer suggestions to boost sales. It's landed several big contracts and has $600,000 in investment.
• Subsidence: Wireless weather stations for hyperlocal measurements like wind, rain and hail for insurance companies and forecasters.