Last week, the Wisconsin Technology Council released the Wisconsin Portfolio, its “annual snapshot of early stage investment activity.” MKEStartup.News reviewed the 2024 Deal List published in the report to gain a clearer picture of which Wisconsin companies attracted investments last year and where those investments originated. Because early-stage investing is often private, no single source … A second look at the Wisconsin Portfolio
Wisconsin’s early stage companies raised a combined $374.1 million in 2024 across 92 deals, according to the Wisconsin Technology Council’s newly released Wisconsin Portfolio. While the total marked the state’s lowest since 2018, the median deal size reached $1 million, the highest in more than a decade. The average deal size was just over $4 … Wisconsin startup funding dips in 2024 but deal size hits decade high
The FOR-M startup incubator has now awarded more than half a million dollars to Wisconsin startup founders. To assess the outcomes of this milestone, MKEStartup.News conducted an analysis of recipient companies. Launched in 2019 and now operated by the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, the FOR-M program, co-founded by Joe Poeschl and Maggie Fernandes, provides structure, … Beyond the grants: early data from FOR-M program
For the 99% of startups that never land a venture capital deal, finding that first $5,000, or $15,000, can be a major roadblock. Kiva Wisconsin is working to change that. As part of an international nonprofit platform, Kiva Wisconsin offers 0% interest, fee-free loans ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. These crowdfunded loans are designed for … Bootstrapping? Kiva Wisconsin can help
According to PitchBook, Wisconsin startups raised at least $50.67 million in disclosed startup funding in June. Milwaukee-based Neostella raised $10.7 million to support its continued growth. Founded in 2019 by CEO Matthew Lautz, the international enterprise software company offers a range of products, including legal software suites, business intelligence and analytics tools, and robotic process … Wisconsin VC funding for June 2025
According to PitchBook, Wisconsin startups raised at least $56.23 million in disclosed startup funding in May. The state’s largest fundraiser was Realta Fusion, an energy company developing a fusion-powered system to produce industrial heat and electricity. By using breakthroughs in superconductors, plasma physics, and computing, the company has designed a streamlined linear fusion reactor that … Wisconsin VC Funding for May 2025
According to PitchBook, Wisconsin startups raised at least $7.6 million in disclosed startup funding in April. RoofMarketplace, headquartered in Whitewater, operates an online marketplace for roof replacement, connecting consumers with qualified roofing contractors and facilitating the bidding process. The company raised $7.65 million in venture funding from undisclosed investors on April 23. Milwaukee-based Insuraviews, founded … Wisconsin VC funding for April 2025
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
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
Valency Fund is a unique, non-profit fund designed to bridge a critical funding gap for growth-stage businesses in Wisconsin. Founded by Laura Strong, Ph.D., a seasoned biotech leader and strategic investor, the fund aims to support companies in three of the state’s core industries: advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, and technology. With a mission to foster sustainable … Valency Fund: A New Approach to Scaling WI Startups