Ethan Eriksen, a junior at Barron High School in northwestern Wisconsin, took top honors in the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Young Entrepreneur Competition, turning a passion for winter sports into a growing apparel brand. Eriksen launched Shredrz Attire in 2024 to design snow pants for skiers and snowboarders that combine comfort, durability and practical features … Shredrz Attire wins JAWI Young Entrepreneur Competition
HyperNatural, a materials science startup founded by apparel industry veteran Chris Kolbe, raised $500,000 in angel funding from GCI Portfolio Companies, the family-funded private equity firm established by the late Gary Comer, founder of Lands’ End. Kolbe, who previously served as brand president of Lands’ End and held merchandising leadership roles at Kohl’s and other … HyperNatural lands investment for material science textiles
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the world, yet many children are learning about the technology through unguided use. Milwaukee-based startup AI Adventure, founded in 2025 by Anu Höysniemi, aims to change that by introducing elementary-age students to artificial intelligence through interactive games, storytelling and hands-on activities. Höysniemi launched the company after seeing firsthand how quickly … AI Adventure helps kids learn AI skills
Five early-stage startups have joined the Spring 2026 cohort of gBETA at Waukesha County Technical College’s Applied AI Lab, a seven-week accelerator designed to help early-stage companies gain traction and connect with mentors and investors. The program is run through a partnership between Waukesha Country Technical College (WCTC) and gener8tor, a global venture firm and … gener8tor and WCTC launch spring gBETA cohort focused on applied AI
Just over 20% of new businesses launched in Wisconsin fail within their first year. The Kenosha Innovation Center is hoping to improve those odds through a new weekly program called KICstart Office Hours that gives early-stage founders direct access to experienced innovators, investors and technical experts. The series will take place every Wednesday at the … KIN launches weekly office hours for founders
Convertible debt is a funding instrument used by startups to raise early-stage capital with the option to convert that loan into equity later, typically at the next qualified financing round. It blends elements of debt and equity. Founders receive capital without setting an immediate valuation, while investors gain a structured path into future ownership if … Understanding startup capital: What is convertible debt?
Universities are increasingly expected to do more than educate students and generate research findings. Across the country, higher education institutions are being asked to translate discoveries into companies, partnerships and economic activity. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, responsibility for technology transfer largely falls to the UW-Milwaukee Research Foundation (UWMRF). UWMRF serves as the commercialization arm … UWM Research Foundation report highlights pipeline from innovation to marketplace
As populations live longer, researchers are warning that the number of people affected by dementia is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. Early-stage startup VitaNexus aims to address that challenge with artificial intelligence. The Milwaukee-based startup is developing an AI platform designed to help people better understand and proactively manage cognitive health before … VitaNexus develops AI-powered monitoring of cognitive health
According to PitchBook, Wisconsin startups raised at least $48.61 million in disclosed funding in January 2026. Madison-based Cardamom Health raised an estimated $15 million in Series A venture funding from HealthX Ventures, Valspring Capital and other undisclosed investors. The funds will be used to expand the company’s advisory and electronic health record-related services. Two January … Wisconsin VC funding for January 2026
Pewaukee-based startup Octane Coffee, founded in 2018 by Adrian Deasy, launched a crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine, allowing customers and smaller investors to participate alongside traditional backers while Octane continues building out its next phase of growth. The company creates automated drive-through kiosks that use robotics and proprietary software to prepare customized drinks with minimal human … Octane Coffee uses crowdfunding to support growth