When MKEStartup.News first spoke with identical twins Ben and John Teich in 2023, their debut board game Mythic Gems had just been released following a successful Kickstarter campaign. Now, less than a year later, the founders of Milwaukee-based TNT Creative Gaming are seeing real traction—from enthusiastic fans at local game nights to a recent appearance … TNT Creative Gaming builds momentum
A shared love for desserts, and a pandemic-fueled brainstorm led to a growing two-city startup producing alcohol-infused frozen custard for adults with refined taste. Crème de Liqueur, co-founded by Elizabeth Nash and Nisreen Galloway, specializes in liquor-laced frozen treats that deliver indulgence by the spoonful. The idea was formed while the pair were in an … Crème de Liqueur brings boozy indulgence to the ice cream aisle
Veterinarians are stressed, and the toll of their burnout isn’t just emotional, it’s economic, costing the industry $2 billion per year. Fitchburg-based LyraVet, cofounded by veterinarian Dr. Zach Meyers and data scientist Nic Herfel is on a mission to solve that problem with their AI-based software LyraVet. The lifelong friends began creating technology together in 2022. … LyraVet eases veterinary burnout with AI
According to PitchBook data, Wisconsin companies raised $33.76 million in disclosed funding in the first quarter of 2025. Madison-based Hummingbird Healthcare topped the list. The company developed a health care technology platform that standardizes patient access services. The health tech innovators raised $20 million in Series B funding in a deal led by Health Velocity … A second look at Q1 VC funding
Being at the helm of a scalable, high-growth startup sometimes means creating a new part or piece of equipment that doesn’t yet exist. When Milwaukee-based innovators need to take something from prototype to production, they can turn to INNOFAB, the local company with the motto, “We’ll cut, bend, and build what others won’t.” Founded by … Building what others won’t: Meet INNOFAB
Karen Laing founded Okkanti in 2022 to address deep gaps in maternal health care and support. Now participating in the Spring 2025 Techstars Columbus accelerator, a highly competitive program that accepts only 1% of applicants, Laing is bringing her bold vision to a national stage. MKEStartup.News (MSUN) caught up with Laing to learn more about … Okkanti joins Techstars
Since launching in 2022, Nexion Solutions has quietly transformed how communities protect victims of violence. Developed to support domestic violence survivors and high-risk witnesses, NightWatch is a discreet, GPS-enabled emergency response device that connects users directly to law enforcement. Unlike traditional 911 calls, NightWatch comes with built-in intelligence: operators have access to user-specific safety profiles, … Nexion Solutions expands impact
Wisconsin’s creative sector generates more than $10.8 billion in economic value and supports more than 90,000 jobs. Yet despite its contributions, the state ranks 50th in the nation for arts and culture funding. Startup accelerator gener8tor is working to expand the potential of Wisconsin’s creative economy through its gener8tor Art x Sherman Phoenix programming. Designed … gener8tor Art stokes the creative economy
According to PitchBook, Wisconsin startups raised at least $800,000 in disclosed funding in March. March was a slow month for disclosed funding in Wisconsin. In addition to the funding round listed below, Sturgeon Bay-based SaaS company serving the supply chain management industry, Vadar Alpha, raised an undisclosed amount of venture capital from Titletown Tech. Venture … Wisconsin VC Funding for March 2025
Last week, some of Wisconsin’s most promising scientific discoveries took center stage at the 2025 First Look Forum, a showcase of emerging technologies developed at Marquette University, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), and Versiti. The forum brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders with university researchers to help promising … First Look Forum spotlights MKE-based innovation