sum hydration wins Startup World Cup regional in Sheboygan

Milwaukee-based sum hydration claimed the top spot at the Startup World Cup’s Sheboygan regional pitch competition, earning the chance to compete on a global stage in San Francisco this fall.

Founder Tyler Hurd said the opportunity came together quickly. A corporate contact suggested the company apply just days before the deadline, and the startup decided to seize the moment. The gamble paid off with a win and an entry into the Startup World Cup finals on Oct. 17 in San Francisco, where sum hydration will present alongside leading startups from around the world for an opportunity to secure $1 million in funding.

Hurd, an engineer by trade, launched sum hydration to address dehydration among fitness enthusiasts and athletes while reducing single-use plastics. The company recently relocated to Milwaukee from Alabama and has been exploring partnerships with boutique fitness studios and gyms in Wisconsin while raising a seed round.

Hurd said the exposure from the Startup World Cup is “an absolute must” for the emerging company. “It’s a big achievement,” he said. “I’m very nervous and excited to take the stage. That’s the biggest stage I’ve ever been on.”

For Milwaukee’s startup community, sum hydration’s win provides another opportunity to showcase the region on the international stage. From Sheboygan to San Francisco, the company’s journey highlights the momentum building in Wisconsin’s innovation ecosystem.