Season 10 of Project Pitch It premieres April 11

When Project Pitch It returns for its 10th season on April 11, the long-running television series will once again introduce a diverse collection of early-stage companies to Wisconsin viewers. For Milwaukee-area founders, the show has become more than a pitch opportunity; it’s a platform for refining ideas and connecting with decision-makers who shape the region’s business landscape.

Founders gain more than pitching experience from appearing on the show. According to the show’s producers, over the last 10 seasons, Project Pitch It has contributed $5 million in cash and in-kind mentoring resources to participating companies, with 98% of featured entrepreneurs still in business. More than 240 founders have appeared on the show, collectively creating over 500 jobs, while participating companies have seen an average revenue increase of more than 500% following their appearance.

This season there are 14 Milwaukee-area businesses selected to compete for cash prizes and mentorship opportunities.

Patrick Tetzlaff, who appeared on the show alongside his business partner Brian Leadingham, leads Design Department, Inc., a Franklin-based product development consultancy focused on medical innovation. The team brought its Spherical Canister innovation to the show, a product designed to reduce plastic waste in healthcare settings.

“Our experience on Project Pitch It was amazing,” he said.  “We were given the opportunity to present our innovative new Spherical Canister product to the moguls. To be able to receive feedback from an experienced group of Wisconsin business leaders was invaluable. Being on the show not only gave us the chance to receive their feedback but to highlight the benefits of our new fluid management system.”

Tetzlaff said the opportunity to engage directly with the panel continued after filming, offering additional perspective as the company refined its plans.

“After the taping was over, we had a chance to talk a bit more with Jerry Jendusa. He offered some really good insight that helped us to solidify our plans to bring Spherical Canister to market,” he said.

Bradley Steckart, founder of the Milwaukee-based social connection app Sit By Me, shared a similar experience, stating the process helped sharpen both his vision and his messaging.

“Being on Project Pitch It pushed me to clarify my vision and communicate it in a way that resonates with others. Beyond the pitch, the conversations and insights from the moguls were incredibly valuable,” he said.

The panel of judges, referred to as “moguls,” are a group of established Wisconsin business leaders spanning industries such as energy, law, retail, and entrepreneurship. Their role extends beyond evaluating pitches, offering founders direct feedback shaped by decades of operational experience. The Season 10 moguls are: Jerry Jendusa, serial entrepreneur who founded both EMTEQ and BREAKTHRU Strategies; Gale Klappa, chairman of the board of WEC Energy Group; Harris Turer, principal owner of Milwaukee Admirals Hockey Club; David Gruber, founder and CEO of Gruber Law Offices; Steven Gruber, attorney; Gina Della, vice president of marketing at Pella Windows & Doors of Wisconsin; Dr. Deborah Allen, an entrepreneur with extensive franchise operations experience.

As Project Pitch It returns, it continues to function as both a public-facing platform for early-stage companies and a behind-the-scenes environment where founders can test and refine their ideas. For Milwaukee-area entrepreneurs, the show remains one of the more visible entry points into Wisconsin’s broader startup ecosystem.

Milwaukee audiences can view the program at 10:35 p.m. on WISN-TV 12.