WEDC grants support entrepreneurship in the Milwaukee Region

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) awarded nearly $1 million in the latest round of Entrepreneurship Grants in Quarter Three 2023.

“Wisconsin stands behind its innovators and business owners,” said Missy Hughes, secretary, and CEO of WEDC. “These grants help organizations across the state provide advice, funding, education and other support to entrepreneurs of all backgrounds.”

Created in 2021, Entrepreneurship Partner Grants are for organizations working to provide training, financing, mentorship, technical support and more to entrepreneurs and prospective entrepreneurs – especially those who historically have not had equal access to capital and resources, such as women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and rural residents.

Four Milwaukee organizations received $460,100 in grant money to support entrepreneurship in our community.

BizStarts, Milwaukee $150,000

BizStarts offers a specialized entrepreneurial training curriculum for English- and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs.

Develop America, Milwaukee $150,000

Develop America will use the grant to provide technical assistance and grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 to early-stage Black-owned businesses.

Milky Way Tech Hub, Milwaukee $85,000

The Milky Way Tech Hub provides training, mentorship and in some cases capital investment for underrepresented entrepreneurs working in tech.

SCORE, Milwaukee $75,100

The funding will allow SCORE to increase its mentoring capacity in rural communities.

The goal of the Entrepreneurship Partner Grant is to encourage the formation of entrepreneurship support programs and to develop startup and emerging growth companies in the state of Wisconsin. Entities eligible for Entrepreneurship Partner Grant funds include communities, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other entities that operate a nonprofit entrepreneurship assistance program in Wisconsin. Programs that focus on underserved populations are especially encouraged to apply. Recipients will be required to match WEDC funds 1:1 with cash funds or eligible expenses.