Poeschl joins MKE Tech Hub

The MKE Tech Hub Coalition announced that Joe Poeschl has joined the organization as its Director of Engagement.

The non-profit organization was formed in October 2019 by a group of local businesses focused on advancing technology and innovation in the region. Collectively, Accenture, Advocate Aurora Health, Johnson Controls, Kohls, Northwestern Mutual and Rockwell Automation initially contributed over $5 million to launch MKE Tech Hub Coalition with the aim to grow the city’s technology ecosystem. The organization has a goal to “double local tech workers by 2025.”

Poeschl has been a popular figure in the Milwaukee startup ecosystem since he co-founded The Commons in 2014. His work includes high impact entrepreneurial programs, like the tech startup incubator, FOR-M and the student-focused tech bootcamp FUSE. Poeschl will continue to lead the FOR-M and FUSE programs.

“I could not be more excited about this opportunity, and it is staying true to my roots. I started my career in tech and startup and here I am in the position to dig in even further which is exciting. I’m ready to go,” Poeschl said while discussing his new role.

“As the Director of Engagement, I will work on building new relationships,” he continued. “That is going to be a primary dimension of my work. What we know is that through high quality relationships you can build trust and with trust you can collaborate with others effectively. Through collaboration we can bridge into the space of transformational change. That’s really where the MKE Tech Hub is.”

The organization is an integral part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Resiliency Innovation Engine planning team, led by The Water Council and is spearheading a number of regional projects focused around Artificial Intelligence.

“It is moving and to do bigger projects to turn those gears that otherwise probably wouldn’t turn if there wasn’t an organization that sort of sat in the neutral space between corporations, academic institutions and state and federal dollars,” Poeschl said.  “You need an organization that can turn those wheels.  Relationships are the foundation of all of this. That is where I see the role of Director of Engagement really playing. To deepen relationships with our members, of course, but also within the larger community.”

“To deepen that engagement and build up a level of trust that allows us to go even further and faster together is what I see as first and foremost in this role,” he said. “I’m going to be doing that through an approach of just listening first. I’m going to be doing this as a discovery process, because I think the worst thing I could do in this role is come in with a bunch of ideas on how things need to happen. So, we’re doing a deep inclusive listening exercise with our community. I think that’ll be in its own rights, a trust-building strategy.”

MKE Tech Hub Coalition recently celebrated its fourth anniversary by sharing some of its key accomplishments in 2023, which include distributing over $300K in grants to advance startups, reskilling, and diversity in education.

“It’s wonderful to be able to continue my long-term and deep commitment to the city and its people. I’m inspired every day by them and the opportunities our community affords to us. Now, my job is going to be making a lot of relationships and finding ways to bring more of those opportunities to all of us,” Poeschl concluded.

To learn more about MKE Tech Hub Coalition and its programming, connect with the organization here.