From an influencer who leveraged the power of social media to build her brand and launch her interior design company to a 15-year-old who started a business and entrepreneurial incubator that targets teens and students, the 2023 Wisconsin Inno Under 25 class includes seven impressive technologists and innovators from across the state.
The following individuals were nominated by readers and members of Wisconsin's technology ecosystem and selected by the Wisconsin Inno and Milwaukee Business Journal editorial team. To be eligible, individuals must have been age 25 or younger as of July 31.
Joel Baraka, 26
Founder and CEO, My Home Stars Inc.
Joel Baraka and his family fled from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. Baraka wasn't yet a toddler when his family arrived in Uganda as refugees.
A scholarship brought Baraka, who recently turned 26, to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and he now serves as the founder and CEO of My Home Stars. The nonprofit works to fight for the educational opportunities of underserved communities in Uganda.
Baraka attended school as a refugee, being careful to keep his grades high. His teacher oversaw a classroom of nearly 200 students, Baraka recalled in a TED Talk. The average ratio of teacher to students in such refugee schools is about 1 to 154, Baraka told Madison's WMTV.
Attending high school in Johannesburg, South Africa, Baraka began thinking of ways he could help refugee students back in Uganda. One thing that centered him was his love of games, including European football and Spades.
John Daniels IV, 15
Entrepreneur, founder of Pontem/Swing2Win
With nearly a decade to spare, 15-year-old John Daniels IV is the youngest winner in this year's Wisconsin Inno Under 25 awards.
A sophomore at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Daniels' family is well-known in the community. His mother, Erickajoy Daniels, is president of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. His father is president and CEO of A.L.I.V.E. Inc., a professional development organization geared toward youth.
"I think the biggest lesson they've taught me is to strive for excellence and know that nothing's impossible," said Daniels about his parents in comments to Milwaukee Business Journal media partner TMJ4. "If I put the work in and if I continue to keep working in school and managing my time, I can be the best I can."
The young entrepreneur founded his first business, the Royal Eagle, at 7 years old.
Read more about John Daniels IV.
Sophie Hengst, 26
Owner, BSL Studios
Striking success in a dusty garage is a familiar story out west in Silicon Valley. Here in Milwaukee, young entrepreneurs are springing for cozier settings of inspiration.
Sophie Hengst, an interior design professional from Cedarburg, transitioned to social media stardom and financial success right from her dorm room.
At 19, her goal was clear: create a nationally recognized interior design company. Hengst, who recently turned 26, successfully boasts a hugely popular home decor blog, By Sophia Lee, and an interior design firm, BSL Studios.
She started blogging about interior design right from her dorm at Concordia University Wisconsin. So immersed in interior design, she literally dreamed about it.
Read more about Sophie Hengst.
Oluwapelumi Oguntade, 22
Founder and CEO, Oluomo Worldwide
At 22, Oluwapelumi Oguntade can boast of more than just a bachelor's degree. The Marquette University marketing graduate is also the founder and CEO of an e-commerce fashion company, Oluomo Worldwide.
Nigerian-born Oguntade seized on her entrepreneurial vision after realizing that the clothes she wears, crafted by her mother, are sought after and ought to be shared.
According to a post Oguntade shared on Instagram, the U.S. is home to about 3 million African immigrants. Through her brand, immigrants can stay connected to their culture. She noted that she hopes her fashion brand can connect African designers to customers throughout the world.
"I had a deep longing to be surrounded by aspects of my culture that I love all the time, rather than occasionally," Oguntade told campus media outlet Marquette Today.
Read more about Oluwapelumi Oguntade.
Will Schanen, 25
Chief operations officer and environmental economist, Rapid Radicals Technology LLC.
With a youth of summers spent sailing Port Washington with his family, Will Schanen, 25, realized his passion for water and currently serves as the chief operating officer and environmental economist for the wastewater treatment startup, Rapid Radicals Technology LLC.
Graduating from Marquette University in 2020, Schanen received a bachelor's in environmental studies and economics. By this time, Schanen had already begun his work with Rapid Radicals as a market research intern. In June of that year, Milwaukee-based Rapid Radicals took him on as a contractor in customer discovery.
"Within 10 minutes of meeting, I could tell that the level of energy he brought to the conversation and would ultimately bring to Rapid Radicals was unique and exciting," said founder and CEO Paige Peters.
Jayla Thompson, 22
Intern, Gateway Capital Partners; recent University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate
Jayla Thompson, a Milwaukee native and University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate, discovered the power of business while aiming for a career in law.
According to her remarks to a feature story from the Wisconsin School of Business, Thompson is passionate about connection and inclusion.
“I like to call myself like the glue of the room,” Thompson told the school. “Any room I go into, I make the extra effort to make sure that everybody not only feels seen but heard and loved."
When she learned she could pursue these passions through business, she jumped at the opportunity, switching from a pursuit of law to business administration.
Read more about Jayla Thompson.
Jake Westreich, 24
Director of sales, gener8tor
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From firewood distribution to venture capital, Jake Westreich has pursued the spirit of entrepreneurism since he was a teenager.
Westreich, 24, grew up in Mequon and played pivotal roles in two small businesses before he was 20. It all started with firewood.
At 16, Westreich started a firewood supply company, which delivered to customers throughout the Milwaukee area. By 19, he was managing operations for a student-run landscaping firm. He oversaw HR practices, customer service, advertising and managed the company's landscaping crews.
Studying business and entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Westreich also interned with Eastreet, a food delivery service, in business development. He would later test his very own ghost kitchen concept, Holey Sandwich, on campus.
