Joe Kirgues is an angel investor and co-founder of gener8tor. See sector focus and contact routes.
About Joe Kirgues
Joe Kirgues is an angel investor and co-founder of gener8tor, a startup accelerator he launched in 2011–2012 to help Milwaukee and Madison entrepreneurs scale their businesses. His investment thesis targets early-stage companies, specifically pre-seed and seed rounds, with a focus on Wisconsin-based startups across diverse sectors. Through gener8tor, he typically provides $100,000 in capital alongside 12 weeks of mentorship, acting as a lead investor in the accelerator program. Notable portfolio companies include EatStreet, MailLift, ReviewTrackers, and GrocerKey, all part of his extensive Wisconsin-focused investment history. Kirgues emphasizes an entrepreneur-friendly approach that prioritizes the success of the founder above all, and he actively partners with out-of-state investors via the Badger alumni network. While no specific public writing is cited in the search results, his distinctive point of view centers on expanding venture capital access for Midwestern entrepreneurs and building a top-ten accelerator program.
Joe Kirgues at a glance
Role
Angel Investor
Location
Milwaukee, WI, United States
Investor type
Individual/Angel
Focus areas
Mr. Joe Kirgues is a Co-Founder of Gener8tor. Joe helps identify early-stage startups with a need for the program and helps create an environment for entrepreneurs to collaborate and establishes access to later-stage capital. Previously, Joe worked at Quarles & Brady, where he focused his practice on private equity and securities law. Joe received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and Order of the Coif. Joe was awarded the Davis Award in Constitutional Law, which is annually awarded to the student in the graduating class with the best performance in constitutional law. Joe received his bachelors from Marquette University where he was awarded the Delta Sigma Pi Golden Key Award for best grade point average in the graduating class and the Wall Street Journal Award in Finance for best performance within his major. Joe worked as a federal law clerk in the Eastern District of Wisconsin for the Honorable William E. Callahan, Jr., af
Frequently asked about Joe Kirgues
What does Joe Kirgues invest in?
Joe Kirgues (Milwaukee, WI, United States) — sector focus: Mr. Joe Kirgues is a Co-Founder of Gener8tor. Joe helps identify early-stage startups with a need for the program and helps create an environment for entrepren….
How do I contact Joe Kirgues?
Joe Kirgues's published profile links (website, LinkedIn or X where available) are listed on the StartupFundraising.com investor profile.
Where is Joe Kirgues headquartered?
Joe Kirgues is based in Milwaukee, WI, United States.
Details on this firm come from filing and round data held in the StartupFundraising directory, refreshed on ingest. Founders use profiles like this one to qualify fit and to shortlist investors in Milwaukee.
