Must-Know Entrepreneurial Resources in Northeast Wisconsin

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Looking to launch and grow a business? Northeast Wisconsin is the place you need to consider. This 18-county region is primed to help startups thrive, as it offers access to plenty of resources and support. Here are a few entrepreneurial resources you need to check out.

Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Located on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus in Northeast Wisconsin, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) is known for its entrepreneurial resources. It specializes in providing quick curriculum-based startup programs along with access to office space and one-on-one consulting and mentorship.

• More than 500 students have been involved in CEI programs.
• CEI awards $100,000 in cash and prizes to entrepreneurs each year.

Fox Valley Technical College’s Venture Center

The Venture Center in Appleton offers training and mentoring to help startups and small businesses streamline their operations.

• The Venture Center has launched around 25 businesses annually since 2000.
• More than 500 potential entrepreneurs connect with the Venture Center each year.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program

For some, one of the best entrepreneurial resources is learning the ins and outs of starting a business, which students can do through Lawrence University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program. This Northeast Wisconsin school also allows students to learn from entrepreneurs in a variety of fields.

• Guest speakers share insights into their careers and building a business.
• The program is a collaborative effort with Harvard Business School.

NEW Launch Alliance

New North, a nonprofit regional marketing and economic development corporation, founded the NEW Launch Alliance initiative to help advance viable entrepreneurial ideas throughout Northeast Wisconsin.

• One of the alliance’s main goals is to secure capital and other entrepreneurial resources for innovators in Northeast Wisconsin.
• The organization hosts local and regional entrepreneurial pitch contests with monetary prizes.

Packers Mentor-Protégé Program

The Packers Mentor-Protégé Program pairs emerging Northeast Wisconsin businesses (protégés) with established and knowledgeable companies (mentors) so entrepreneurs can reach the next level of business growth.

• More than 425 jobs have been established across 140 protégé companies since the program began in 2010.
• About 85% of participating protégé businesses are owned by minorities, women and veterans.

TitletownTech

Microsoft and the Green Bay Packers teamed up to create TitletownTech, which invests in early-stage startups.

• TitletownTech utilizes expertise from industry advisors, higher education faculty members, etc.
• It invests in startups within core industries in Northeast Wisconsin, including agriculture, construction, digital health, emerging technology, energy, manufacturing, sports/entertainment, and supply chain and logistics.