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BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc., a nonprofit group that makes venture investments in Wisconsin companies, said Wednesday it will invest $50,000 in each company that meets its mission coming out of the gener8tor start-up accelerator.

BrightStar's main criterion for investing is that the company is creating high-quality jobs in Wisconsin.

Gener8tor is a for-profit group that runs two 12-week classes each year, one in Madison and one in Milwaukee. Since forming in 2012, gener8tor has put 23 start-ups through its training program.

"BrightStar's partnership enables gener8tor to attract and retain the region's most promising new companies," said Joe Kirgues, gener8tor co-founder.

Also Wednesday, BrightStar said it has invested a total of $400,000 in two Madison companies: Forward Health Group Inc., a health care data and analytics company; and Swallow Solutions LLC, which develops products for people with swallowing difficulties.