Wisconsin's startup activity will soon be on full display with a week-long, state-wide event series that aims to bring resources and attention to Wisconsin's tech companies.
Startup Wisconsin Week, now in its second year, kicks off Monday, Nov. 5 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 11. The week features startup showcases, hackathons, pitch competitions, workshops, networking and other tech events in 12 cities across the state. In total, Startup Wisconsin Week will have more than 190 events, an increase from the 150 events across 10 Wisconsin cities in 2017.
The goal is simple---bring Wisconsin's startup community together, provide them with resources to help them grow, and shine a spotlight on the tech activity happening across the state, according to Matt Cordio, president of Skills Pipeline and one of the leaders of Startup Week Wisconsin.
"There's a lot of interest in figuring out how we make Wisconsin competitive in this global, tech-driven economy. And startups are really key to that," Cordio said. "We feel like Startup Wisconsin Week is a great opportunity to highlight all the resources available to entrepreneurs around the state and really connect them to the resources they need."
As Wisconsin looks to raise its profile as a place for startups, there's a misconception that the most pressing need for early stage tech companies is access to capital, Cordio said. More important is access to customers, and part of Startup Week Wisconsin's aim is to connect the state's startups with potential clients.
"It's really hard to have a business, even if you raise a lot of capital, if you don’t have customers," Cordio said.
Connecting Wisconsin entrepreneurs with other founders throughout the state is also a priority, and Cordio hopes the event can highlight tech activity in areas beyond just Milwaukee and Madison.
"Cities in Wisconsin aren’t competing against each other in order to be competitive in this world; we’re competing against coastal states for talent, for resources, for capital," he said. "And to have the density we need to put our ecosystem on that map we need to work together and better connect resources.
"It's really important that we highlight all the nodes of activity around the state and create some visibility around the fact that there is activity happening outside of Madison and Milwaukee."
Here are a handful of Startup Wisconsin Week events to have on your radar:
State of the Startup Community
Monday, Nov. 5 Northwestern Mutual Commons and Tower 805 East Mason Street Milwaukee
I'll be delivering a data-driven presentation on venture activity in Milwaukee, followed by a panel of new venture capital funds and investment groups in the area, and then a panel on new accelerators and entrepreneurial training programs.
Monday, Nov. 5 Walker's Point 507 South Second Street Milwaukee
This "expo for startups" will have entrepreneurs demonstrating their products and services in an approachable setting.
Tuesday, Nov. 6 Northwestern Mutual Tower & Commons 805 E Mason St. Milwaukee
Northwestern Mutual will pitch to entrepreneurs, outlining potential business challenges and big ideas Northwestern Mutual is looking to explore and solve. Teams can earn up to an $85,000 seed investment and get workspace in Northwestern Mutual's new Cream City Labs.
Boss Ladies MKE: A Panel Discussion on Women's Entrepreneurship
Wednesday, Nov. 7 250 East Wisconsin Avenue Suite 1800 Milwaukee
This panel conversation will discuss all things related to women's entrepreneurship in Milwaukee.
The Milky Way - Changing the Culture of STEM
Wednesday, Nov. 7 220 East Pittsburgh Avenue Milwaukee
This panel will include a dialogue about the successes, opportunities, and challenges of diversity and inclusion in Wisconsin tech.
Startup Milwaukee Week End-of-Week Happy Hour Hosted by The Firm Consulting
Friday, Nov. 9 313 North Plankinton Avenue Suite 210 Milwaukee
This event will feature the startup success story of Rugged Races LLC, an event productions company who took on Shark Tank and scored a deal with Mark Cuban.
Madison to Milwaukee Startup Week Celebration
Monday, Nov. 5 StartingBlock Madison 821 East Washington Avenue 2nd floor Madison
The Madison community is invited to get on a bus for a day and attend events at Startup Milwaukee Week, where members of both startup ecosystems can meet and mingle.
Friday, Nov. 9 Radisson Hotel 517 Grand Canyon Dr. Madison
This event will highlight four women who have built highly successful careers with degrees in STEM disciplines.
Monday, Nov. 5 University of Wisconsin-Green Bay 2420 Nicolet Dr. MAC 202 Green Bay
Attendees at this event will speed-network, then form teams to solve an "absurd challenge." Teams will present their solutions to judges and the winning team wins some swag.
Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: The Role of Schools in Northeast Wisconsin
Wednesday, Nov. 7 T2 Accelerator 340 North Broadway Green Bay
This event will showcase the role schools play in providing basic and specialized education for future entrepreneurs.
Monday, Nov. 5 UWEC Davies Center, Dakota South Ballroom 77 Roosevelt Avenue Eau Claire
Entrepreneurs will give a two minute pitch in front of a live audience and a professional expert panel about their business idea. Prizes will be awarded.
Wednesday, Nov. 7 Modicum Brewing Co. 3732 Spooner Avenue Altoona
Attendees will listen to University of Wisconsin alums and students tell their startup stories and how they have taken action on their ideas.
Tuesday, Nov. 6 Hotel Goodwin Rooftop 500 Public Avenue Beloit
Six local companies will be sharing their journeys and business ventures, followed by Q&A and networking.
Thursday, Nov. 8 Irontek 635 Third Street Beloit
Attendees can come celebrate the end of the Fall 2018 gBETA Beloit cohort with a live pitch event at Irontek. Each of the five startups will pitch to an audience of investors, mentors, corporate execs and community members.
Wednesday, Nov. 7 World HeadQuarters 620 East Longview Drive Appleton
A social gathering where entrepreneurs can connect and network.
The Secret Sauce of Entrepreneurship
Thursday, Nov. 8 The Branch at 1501 1501 Washington Avenue Racine
Marie Watkins of Polaris Talent and Kristina Watanabe of Wings of Fire Consulting will have a dialogue on the soft skills of entrepreneurship.
Thursday, Nov. 8 Equity Creative 9522 58th Place, Suite 800 Kenosha
Attendees will discover how successful local tech leaders have overcome obstacles on their way to a successful career.
