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
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) has awarded $3.5 million in grants to four organizations aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and supporting high-growth startups across the state. Announced by Gov. Tony Evers and WEDC, the funding comes through the state’s Ignite Initiative, which focuses on building coordinated systems that help startups move from research and early … WEDC awards $3.5M to expand Wisconsin startup ecosystem through four innovation initiatives
Kenosha-based startup Kivi Bio is working to shorten one of the most difficult stages in life science innovation: the path from scientific discovery to the market. Founded in January 2025 by chemical engineer and business development veteran Todd Kapp, the company supports emerging life science businesses by helping founders navigate commercialization challenges, from market strategy … Kivi Bio uses FORWARD Biolabs grant to speed life science commercialization
SAFE means Simple Agreement for Future Equity. A SAFE note is a way for startups to raise money without immediately selling shares of the company or setting a valuation. An investor provides capital now in exchange for the right to receive equity later, usually when the company raises a priced funding round or is acquired. … What is a SAFE note?
When Sydney Gang began developing a heated knee sleeve as a business student at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, she was looking for a way to manage knee pain caused by activity. What started as a school assignment quickly moved beyond the classroom, drawing interest from fellow students, faculty advisers and pitch competition judges. Seizing … Skip the Warm Up moves from campus concept to early-stage startup
Any gathering of Wisconsin-based founders and funders will often lead to a discussion about the lack of venture capital in the Badger state. Data from the National Venture Capital Association supports this lament. In the years 2020-2024, 456 startups raised $ 2 billion in capital. During that same period, California saw 23,904 startups raise $537 … What is the Wisconsin Investment Fund?
Gaming is anything but child’s play when it comes to economic impact. Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG) have an estimated worldwide market of roughly $2 billion in 2024, with projections rising to more than $2.2 billion in 2025, driven by online play, crowdfunding platforms and renewed interest in collaborative storytelling experiences. At its core, a tabletop … Table Cat Games leverages crowdfunding to support growth
Last week, a panel discussion hosted by the Wisconsin Technology Council focused on how Wisconsin can integrate large-scale data centers into the state’s economy, with participants broadly aligned that the question facing policymakers is how to manage growth, not whether data center development should occur. The discussion featured Rima Alaily, corporate vice president and general … Panel discussion centers on integrating data centers into state economy
Forward BIOLABS has announced the first round of awardees for its Innovation to Commercialization Pipeline (ICP) program, a new initiative designed to help early-stage biohealth companies across Wisconsin move closer to market readiness. The ICP program provides targeted, non-dilutive support to startups working to translate scientific innovation into commercial products. The program is aimed at … Forward BIOLABS announces first ICP awardees
Milwaukee-based Nexion Solutions continues to broaden the reach of its personal safety technology through new partnerships that extend into new geographies and serve additional high-risk populations. Founded in 2021 to provide real-time emergency response through a discreet wearable device for people at high risk of violence, including domestic violence survivors and endangered witnesses, Nexion has … Nexion Solutions expands partnerships to reach new users