The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. has launched a statewide competition that would fund new business models and innovations that solve financial and operational problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The WEDC's "We're All Innovating Contest" can provide up to 195 companies with $3 million in total funding. The grants are being funded through federal CARES Act dollars, the agency stated.
The contest is open to all new and established for-profit small businesses in Wisconsin with 50 or less employees. The competition will be judged by a review committee comprising business and industry experts administered in partnership with the Wisconsin Technology Council.
“Despite the pandemic, Wisconsin’s culture of innovation is thriving,” said WEDC secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. “The We’re All Innovating Contest will support those who have taken it to the next level."
Businesses will submit their applications in three categories – health and medical technology, workplace and remote technology and e-commerce, and service and business operation innovation. Top winners in the categories will receive a maximum of $68,000. Businesses will enter as either a company with five or fewer full-time employers, between six and 20 full-time employees, or between 21 and 50 employees.
The deadline to submit an application is midnight on Oct. 18. The grant winners will be announced on Dec. 15.
In this week's cover story, we take a look at the buildings and co-working spaces along the Interstate 94 corridor between Chicago and the Twin Cities harboring some of the most innovative companies in the Midwest.
