EDC presents $1.2M, three-year proposal to bring Generator accelerator to New Braunfels

EDC staff and representatives from Generator presented a proposal to the New Braunfels City Council on Sept. 30 seeking up to $1.2 million over three years to operate a locally-rooted, seven-week G Beta accelerator program.

Jonathan Decker, who introduced the request on behalf of the Economic Development Corporation, said the program is designed to find high-potential founders, provide intensive coaching and connect startups with a national investor network. "Put simply, New Braunfels can be the best midsize Texas city to start a business," Decker said, framing the proposal as a three-year pilot to grow private investment and jobs.

Robert Peroni, Generator managing director, said the program is non-dilutive (government and philanthropic funding supports the pre-accelerator) and cited Generator’s track record across multiple U.S. communities: "We've worked with more than 2,300 startups, helping them raise more than $4 billion in financing," he said, and described KPIs the city could use to measure success (applications, cohorts accelerated, funds raised, jobs created). Peroni offered annual reporting and a commitment to return to council with progress data.

Council members asked whether the program would duplicate Spark or local SBDC efforts; staff said Generator would be additive and focused on "hypergrowth" startups that seek venture capital, while local organizations would continue to serve smaller brick-and-mortar businesses. Residents raised objections about whether New Braunfels has the research/university ecosystem that typically feeds high-tech accelerators; other speakers supported the economic-development potential and local job creation.

No vote was taken. Staff said next steps include continued coordination with Spark and chamber partners and returning with any contract terms and measurable reporting requirements if the council advances the recommendation.