Wisconsin accelerator and venture capital fund gener8tor is receiving some highly-touted recognition for its music accelerator.
Both Backline and the Motown Musician Accelerator were named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies list for 2020. This year’s list recognizes 439 businesses from 39 countries for their impact on both industry and culture. Gener8tor was listed in the music sector and ranked ninth among 10 most innovative music companies in 2020.
Backline, gener8tor’s 12-week accelerator program for emerging musicians done in partnership with 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, was designed to help artists build their careers. It includes $20,000 in grants for the artists.
The accelerator originated in Milwaukee, and has since expanded to Cleveland and launched in Detroit as the Motown Musician Accelerator.
Since the first accelerator launched in 2018, 14 artists have gone through both Backline and the Motown accelerator, and 14 more will complete the accelerator in 2020, gener8tor stated. At the close of 2020, the accelerators will have awarded $560,000 in grant funding to 28 artists.
Backline Cleveland launched this past winter in partnership with Glenville CircleNorth and the city of Cleveland. Like Backline, the Motown Musician Accelerator provides four selected Detroit artists $20,000, coaching and access to industry professionals. The Motown accelerator also launched in 2019.
