Anna Lardinois

Mass shootings have become a tragic reality in the United States. Law enforcement veterans Paul Eckert and Robert Austin have spent decades working in law enforcement and training people for these emergencies. But they found that training alone wasn’t enough to protect their community. In 2018, they launched SafePro Technologies to develop a technology-driven solution SafePro Tech named semifinalist in WI Gov’s BPC

American dollar, money & banking

According to PitchBook, Wisconsin startups raised at least $24 million in startup funding in February. The region’s top fundraiser in February was Wauwatosa-based COnovate. The company developed COphite, a carbon-based substance that results in faster charge times, greater capacity and improved safety when added to lithium-ion anode batteries. The company raised $2.49 million through a Wisconsin VC Funding for February 2025      

Women entrepreneurs in Milwaukee will have another opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate their successes as Women’s Entrepreneurship Week (WEW) returns for its ninth year, running May 5-9, 2025. Organized by She Stands Tall, WEW is a weeklong series of in-person events designed to support and empower women and non-binary entrepreneurs. This year’s theme, “Radiate Women’s Entrepreneurship Week returns with “Radiate ‘88” theme

Kenosha has long been an engine of economic innovation. From its early days as a manufacturing powerhouse—home to one of the country’s first automobile plants—to its continued role as a hub for industry and entrepreneurship, the city has consistently adapted to changing economic landscapes. Today, that legacy is being reimagined through the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood: Revitalizing a Legacy of Economic Growth

Milwaukee-based Tykr is one of 52 companies named a semi-finalist in the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, presented by the Wisconsin Technology Council. Founded by Sean Tepper in 2020, the startup has built an algorithm-driven platform designed to help retail investors make more informed stock market decisions with confidence. Tykr started as an algorithm to Tykr: Startup makes investing more accessible

Hypernatural AI, a startup at the forefront of generative AI-powered video creation, was founded in 2023 by Rebecca Kossnick and Taylor Hughes. Hughes, a seasoned tech entrepreneur, brings a wealth of experience to the company, having previously worked at YouTube, Facebook, and Google, as well as founding tech startups Launchkit and Avocado Software. While Hypernatural Meet Taylor Hughes, co-founder of Hypernatural AI

Applications are now open to participate in the Summerfest Tech Pitch competition to take place during the Summerfest Tech AI, held June 23-26 in Milwaukee. The Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition is open to technology-based companies, with participants competing in one of four categories: Healthcare/Biohealth, Energy & Sustainability, Advanced Manufacturing, and Fin/Insurtech. These categories reflect key Applications are open for Summerfest Tech Pitch

The semi-finalists in the 2025 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, presented by the Wisconsin Technology Council have been announced. Fifty-two contestants emerged in first-round competition involving an independent panel of about 70 judges organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council and its programs, the Tech Council Innovation Network and the Tech Council Investor Networks. There were WI Gov’s BPC semi-finalists announced

American dollar, money & banking

Wisconsin’s food and beverage industry represents 14.3% of Wisconsin’s total economic impact, contributing $116.3 billion in industrial revenues. Workforce development is a pressing issue for Wisconsin’s food and beverage sector, and FaB Wisconsin is stepping up with a strategic investment in talent. In partnership with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), FaB Wisconsin has secured a FaB Wisconsin’s Workforce Training Grant Fuels Growth