2022: A mid-year recap

July 2 marked the halfway point of 2022. As we pass through the middle of the year, it is an apt time to remember a few of the intriguing members of the startup ecosystem we met in the first six months of this year.

Here is recap of some of the 2022’s most memorable stories- so far:

The Innovators

Amy Fallucca and the launch of Comfyist: Founder and CEO Fallucca has taken MKEStartup.News readers with her as she designed her unique athleisure cami and through the prototyping process. Readers are eager to follow this story to the manufacture and launch of the first product in the Comfyist line.

Khalif El-Amin: One half of the Young Enterprising Society (Y.E.S.), El-Amin, along with his brother, Que, are working hard to change the face of entrepreneurship in the city. Most recently, the El-Amin’s produced the successful Summerfest Pitch Contest and played an instrumental role in the VC MKE event.

The Startup MVPs

Blue Line Battery: The innovative industrial battery company is rumored to be Wisconsin’s next unicorn. Buoyed by supply chain issues with traditional batteries, Blue Line was able to expand its customer base because of the lack of traditional options. When new customers discovered Blue Line batteries were safer and cheaper to use, their popularity skyrocketed.

Carbliss: This mom-and-pop beverage company is on a mission to make happy hour more diet-friendly with their low-calorie, carb-free canned cocktails. The Sheboygan-based company has gained an impressive following in a market flooded with ready-made drink options.

COnovate: The company that originated from a discovery made on the UW-Milwaukee campus is ready to disrupt the battery industry. With an increase in staff and a move to Wauwatosa’s Technology Innovation Center, COnovate is successfully scaling.

The Ones to Watch:

SoFresh: The Wisconsin-based manufacturer of mold-inhibiting food packaging has expanded its market into Wisconsin. The Good Bread Company’s artisan bread, available at Kwik Trip, is now wrapped in SoFresh packaging. We look forward to watching them launch into produce and dairy packaging.

Investii: Co-founders Stave and Deshpande goal to change the way people handle their personal finances moves forward with their acceptance into the Madison cohort of gener8tor. The program includes a $100,000 capital investment.

Houstr: It could be the most interesting company you’ve never heard of; Houstr wants to turn short-term rentals into the ultimate shopping experience.