The Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) left the governor's proposed $100 million state venture capital fund of funds on the cutting room floor in a Thursday vote to approve their version of the 2021-'23 state budget. However, experts say there's still some hope for the...
MADISON, Wis. – Although the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee declined to include a $100-million proposal in the state’s 2021-23 budget bill, the president of the Wisconsin Technology Council is hopeful that creation of a “fund of funds” will be considered later. [caption id="attachment_17437" align="alignright" width="136"] Tom...
By Tom Still GREEN BAY, Wis. – Just west of iconic Lambeau Field, in the shadow of the stadium that is home to the Green Bay Packers, a gleaming new building symbolizes the convergence of tradition and innovation in Green Bay. It’s called “TitletownTech” a 13,000-square-foot hub...
The Wisconsin Venture Capital Association urges lawmakers to include Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed $100 million venture fund of funds in the 2021-23 state budget. The WVCA notes that while Wisconsin is building what is amounting to be a vibrant startup ecosystem, it still lags other Midwest...
… One of the many factors that differentiate the Wisconsin Fund from the Badger Fund is that even though capital may be raised from out-of-town investors, capital raised by the Badger Fund must be deployed in WIsconsin-based startups. The Wisconsin Fund’s $100 milion is required to...
From the electric guitar to stem cell therapies, entrepreneurs have demonstrated incredible ingenuity throughout Wisconsin’s history. Yet in recent years we have lagged in attracting investment to provide lifeblood to our startup companies — stifling their growth or forcing them to leave the state. As part...
MADISON, Wis. – A bipartisan group of supporters headed by eight former secretaries of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. or its predecessor, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, are supporting the creation of a state-backed “fund of funds” to invest in early-stage companies....
For all the excitement about Madison-based Fetch Rewards achieving “unicorn” status, meaning it is one of about 250 U.S. startups valued at $1 billion or more, this fairy tale almost never happened. Many investors once looked askance at Fetch Rewards, young founder Wes Schroll and his...
By Tom Still Cultured Decadence may sound like a societal dilemma, but it’s precisely the opposite. It’s a young company offering a timely solution – all the while demonstrating how emerging companies in Wisconsin can attract investors from elsewhere. Cultured Decadence is working to produce nutritious, sustainable seafood...