FOR-M Founder Showcase highlights emerging startups

The MKE Tech Hub Coalition will host its FOR-M Founder Showcase on Nov. 12 at the Wantable Cafe in Milwaukee. The event will highlight participants from the program’s summer and fall cohorts, Cycles 13 and 14, and give attendees the opportunity to vote for which founders will deliver live pitches.

Launched in 2019 and co-founded by Joe Poeschl and Maggie Fernandes, the FOR-M startup incubator provides structure, mentorship and early-stage support to aspiring tech entrepreneurs across Wisconsin. Since 2021, FOR-M has awarded $500,000 in $10,000 non-dilutive grants to select alumni, funded in collaboration with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and Bader Philanthropies, to help founders advance their ideas into early-stage businesses.

In 2025, FOR-M expanded to serve four cohorts through both in-person programming and a new online platform. Fernandes said the changes were implemented to make participation more accessible and flexible for founders.

“FOR-M means for Milwaukee,” Fernandes said. “We are dedicated to continual improvement of the program. We have made it increasingly more accessible for founders. We have added additional cohorts and an online, self-paced platform.”

The updated program structure now includes kickoff dinners every other month, monthly virtual coaching sessions, a twice-yearly founder showcase, a monthly Founders Day coworking and networking session, and 24/7 online learning content. The changes are designed to support new founders while also strengthening the region’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Fernandes said the showcase event is an opportunity for the community to participate directly.

“Every company is looking for feedback, or connections, or their first customers,” she said. “Attending the Founder Showcase gives everyone the opportunity to be part of the ecosystem.”

During the showcase, attendees will vote for the companies they want to see pitch. Three cohort graduates will present their emerging ventures to the audience.

The FOR-M Founder Showcase will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 12 at Wantable Cafe, 123 E. Walker St., in Milwaukee.