Round Rock's First Startup Accelerator Sees Early Success

The gBETA Round Rock program has graduated its inaugural cohort, with startups reporting significant growth.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Round Rock's first business accelerator, gBETA Round Rock, has graduated its inaugural cohort, with the startups involved reporting impressive results. The program, launched in 2025 with $1.2 million in funding from the city, is a partnership between the Round Rock Chamber and venture capital firm gener8tor. gBETA Round Rock Program Manager Destin Bell said the five startups in the first cohort collectively raised over $500,000, saw revenue grow more than 10%, and doubled their customer base - outcomes typically seen a year after the program.

Why it matters

The success of gBETA Round Rock's first cohort demonstrates the potential impact of startup accelerator programs in driving economic growth and innovation in smaller cities looking to diversify beyond traditional industries. As Austin's tech scene continues to boom, Round Rock is positioning itself as an attractive alternative for entrepreneurs seeking a more affordable and less congested environment.

The details

The gBETA Round Rock program is seven weeks long and provides startups with tailored coaching, access to mentors, customers and investors. One of the entrepreneurs in the first cohort, Melissa Wood of Formus, an AI platform for design-build professionals, said the program helped her refine her go-to-market strategy and revenue modeling, allowing her company to launch its beta and generate over $200,000 in positive cash flow.

  • In August 2025, the Round Rock City Council approved the creation and funding of the gBETA Round Rock program, investing $1.2 million over three years.
  • The first gBETA Round Rock cohort ran from April 9 to May 29, 2026.
  • Formus recently launched its beta to its first group of customers and aims to go live by Q3 2026.

The players

gBETA Round Rock

A startup accelerator program launched in Round Rock, Texas, in partnership between the Round Rock Chamber and venture capital firm gener8tor.

Destin Bell

The gBETA Round Rock Program Manager who oversaw the first cohort of startups.

Melissa Wood

The founder and CEO of Formus, an AI platform for design-build professionals, who was part of the first gBETA Round Rock cohort.

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What they’re saying

“We had five amazing companies that went through, developed their business models, worked on their pitch decks, raised some capital. It was just really amazing being able to help them accomplish those goals.”

— Destin Bell, gBETA Round Rock Program Manager (KXAN)

“When I started gBeta [I had a] great story, great traction, but did not really have that go-to-market strategy buttoned up. In a very short amount of time, I was able to really refine our go-to-market strategy, our revenue modeling, so that, we can be ready for our launch.”

— Melissa Wood, Founder and CEO of Formus (KXAN)

What’s next

Applications for the next gBETA Round Rock cohort are due March 22, 2026. The second cohort begins April 9 and runs through May 29, 2026.

The takeaway

The success of gBETA Round Rock's first cohort demonstrates the potential for startup accelerator programs to drive economic growth and innovation in smaller cities like Round Rock, which is positioning itself as an attractive alternative to the booming tech scene in nearby Austin.