spacer 800x800

Startup

In the Know

Here are a few key stories from the Milwaukee startup ecosystem you may have missed this week.

Feeling Lucky?

Scale Up Milwaukee is putting some capital into the holiday stocking of three local businesses.

The organization has opened applications for its 2022 Holiday “Bonus” Cash Prize for Small Businesses. Three prizes will be awarded to deserving small businesses in the amounts of $5,000; $3,000; and $1,000.

Applications are due by Saturday, Dec. 3 and will be judged on their business plan, proposed use of the funds, and community impact, by a committee of representatives from JPMorgan Chase. 

Winners will be notified by mid-December and announced at the Scale Up Milwaukee Holiday Party on Thursday, December 15, 5:30 – 8:00 pm at the BMO Club in the Fiserv Forum. 

Applications and all information recorded will be kept confidential to the Reviewing Committee, comprised of Scale Up Milwaukee staff & representatives of JPMorgan Chase.

Applications and more information can be found here.  

Get to know Panther Partnering

Are you an innovator looking to bring new technologies into the marketplace? UW-Milwaukee’s new program, Panther Partnering, can help.

The program aims to increase research funding in the form of industry sponsorships and to boost the number of university innovations that break into the marketplace. Major elements of “Panther Partnering” will make research deals and associated intellectual property licensing more transparent, simpler, and negotiation-free at fair terms.

Learn more about the Panther Partnering lunch and learn on December 1 here.

Congratulations, Houstr!

Houstr co-founder, Nick Koenen, announced this week that Milwaukee venture capital firm Gateway Capital Partners invested $300,000 into the emerging experimental marketplace.

The Racine-based  startup provides a platform that allows short-term rental property and boutique hotel owners to sell items in the room, like bedding, furniture, and accessories to their guests.

Later this year, Houstr plans to launch a pilot program with an estimated 80 properties owned by Milwaukee short-term rental startup Frontdesk.