Job Creation through Capital Donation

Resource Guide

Funding and Investment Sources in Wisconsin

Madison
30Ventures

Madison-based early-stage venture capital firm focused on early-stage medical diagnostics, biotechnology tools, medical device, and industrial water and chemistry opportunities in the Midwest.

Kohler
Lakeshore Angels

Focused on mezzanine financing between debt and common equity, seeking later-stage companies with strong cash flow in Sheboygan and nearby counties. 

920.918.9477 /
Madison
4490 Ventures: Greg Robinson

Early Stage fund capitalized by State of Wisconsin Investment Board and Wisconsin Alumni Investment Foundation to build IT start-ups in Wisconsin.

608.263.2500 / http://www.warf.org
Milwaukee
Lancaster Investments

Our early-stage fund supports auto innovations, specifically those with dealer-facing technologies.

Madison
American Family Ventures: Dan Reed

Early Stage fund capitalized by State of Wisconsin Investment Board and Wisconsin Alumni Investment Foundation to build IT start-ups in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee
Milwaukee Venture Partners

Early stage venture group specializing in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region.

414.507.6769 / https://milwaukeevp.com
Oshkosh
Angels on the Water

Infuses high-growth companies with capital and connects them with business mentors.

Eagle River
N29 Capital Partners

Network formed to invest in start-up and high growth companies in Vilas County.

Milwaukee
Aurora Health InvestMKE

$5 million to support local Milwaukee startups through a multiyear funding commitment, business resources and mentorship.

Little Chute
New Capital Fund: Charlie Goff

Firm focused on early-stage life and material science, information technology and growth-stage niche/ advanced manufacturing, with $45 million under management.

Madison
Badger Fund of Funds: Ken Johnson

Limited Partnership formed by the state of Wisconsin to invest in Wisconsin venture capital funds that will in turn invest in Wisconsin based new ventures.

New Richmond
New Richmond Angel Investment Network: Pete Marsnik

The New Richmond Area Economic Development Corporation is to encourage and assist economic development in the New Richmond Area that will create jobs and capital investment.

Statewide
Bascom Ventures

Through capital, expertise & connections to a global network, Rock River Capital exists to forward the ideas & hard work of the Midwest into great companies.

Milwaukee
Northwestern Mutual Cream City Venture Capital

Cream City VC is another way we're showing our commitment to MKE by investing in making our city an even more vibrant hub for 21st centruy business. Cream City VC is dedicated to investing solely in startups based in Southeastern Wisconsin.

National
Belle Capital

Venture fund based in Michigan eager to create opportunity for women entrepreneurs in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee
Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures: Craig Schelder

Are you passionate about helping people live life differently? Imagine what's possible when we join forces: the strength and scale of a Fortune 100 company combined with the expereince of a successful start-up plus your drive to reimagine the way things should be. Together we can harness innovation to beocme the future of financial security.

Mequon
Capital Midwest Funds

Capital Midwest Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in advanced manufacturing, B2B, and healthcare technology companies based in the Midwest.

Madison
Rock River Capital Partners

Through capital, expertise & connections to a global network, Rock River Capital exists to forward the ideas & hard work of the Midwest into great companies.

Eau Claire
Chippewa Valley Angel Investor Network

Providing private equity financing for early stage and startup entrepreneurial ventures in the greater Chippewa Valley.

715.878.9791 / https://cvain.com/
Milwaukee
Silicon Pastures: Teresa Esser

Angel Investor group that considers technology investment opportunities located in the Midwest Great Lakes region.

Milwaukee
CSA Partners: Steve Mech

Venture fund investing in early-stage, high growth Midwestern companies, particularly in Wisconsin.

Green Bay
Titletown Tech Venture Capital Fund

The Green Bay Packers and Microsoft have teamed up to bring Titletown Tech to Greenbay's Innovation Hub. This venture fund will invest money to help launch new companies that participate in the Accelerator. 

920.217.1218 / http://titletowntech.com
Brookfield
Golden Angels Investors: Tim Keane

Seed and early stage investments focused on healthcare and technology ventures, focused on adding value, in addition to capital, through its network of 100 members.

Green Bay
Tundra Angels

Tundra Angels is a Green Bay, Wisconsin-based angel investor network that delivers capital, connections, and customers to early stage startup founders.

Madison
Great Oaks Venture Capital: John Philosophos

$100 million venture fund based in NYC focusing efforts and funding for Wisconsin businesses.

Madison
Venture Management: Matt Kelly

Private investment office investing in technology companies, focusing on businesses located in Wisconsin and/or investing in Wisconsin’s economy.

608.819.8888 / http://www.vmllc.com
Madison
HealthX Ventures: Mark Bakken

HealthX Ventures is a digital healthcare-focused seed fund based in Madison, WI. They support teams that can make healthcare safer, more affordable, and produce better results.

Neenah
Winnebago Seed Fund

Our primary objective is to generate investor return by partnering with talented entrepreneurs in Wisconsin to rapidly grow their businesses.

Chicago
Hyde Park Venture Capital: Ira Weiss

HPVP is an early stage venture fund focused on software startups between $500K to $3M in revenue located in the Midwest. The firm looks to help these startups to raise their first institutional round of capital.

Madison
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)

WARF advances UW–Madison discoveries to benefit society. Since 1925, we have helped thousands of patents find real-world applications to make a difference in countless lives and have invested more than $2 billion (adjusted for inflation) back into the university to fund more research.

La Crosse
Idea Fund of La Crosse

We know great ideas are not limited to Silicon Valley. That’s why the Idea Fund partners with seed- and early-stage startup businesses across the state. We support Wisconsin’s best entrepreneurs, people who are solving challenging problems with passion and drive. We bring capital, connections and years of experience building exceptional businesses, all laser-focused on helping you accelerate your vision.

Madison
Wisconsin Angel Network: Bram Daelemans

WAN fuels the growth of capital in Wisconsin by operating as an umbrella organization providing services and resources to the early stage investing and entrepreneurial communities. 

608.442.7557 ex.23 / http://wisconsinangelnetwork.com
Madison
Inventure Capital: Mike Thorson

Boutique investment fund with a portfolio of assets ranging from early stage investments in tech, biotech, and clean tech startups in the Midwest to multi-family apartment development.

Madison
Wisconsin Investment Partners: Andrea Dlugos

Early stage investments in technology and life science companies, through which we can leverage member expertise, contacts, and interests toward superior investment outcomes.

Fitchburg
Kegonsa Capital Fund

Wisconsin-based venture capital management firm that partners with Kegonsa Seed Fund I, a premier seed venture capital fund, and Kegonsa Coinvest Fund, a growth stage venture capital fund.

Milwaukee
Wisconsin Super Angel Fund

Fund that provides $250,000 to $2 million in growth financing to early-stage Wisconsin businesses, with a focus on quick growth and an early exit.

414.405.4848 / http://www.wsafund.com

Incubators and Accelerators in Wisconsin

Madison
100 State

A non-profit that strives to inspire innovation, build a community and solve meaningful problems to make Madison a more brilliant, rich and vibrant place.

Milwaukee & Madison
Gener8tor: Joe Kirgues

Technology investors that provide early start-ups funding and a 12-week mentorship program to help launch their business.

414.502.8880 (Milwaukee) / http://www.gener8tor.com
Oshkosh
Alta Resource Center: Colleen Merrill

A center for innovation and entrepreneurship established by Alta Resources to inspire, educate and develop entrepreneurs from UW Oshkosh.

920.424.1444 / http://www.uwosh.edu/cob
Madison
MadWorks CoWorking: Anne Smith

Resident company at the UW University Research Park offering accelerator space to Madison entrepreneurs.

Madison
American Family Business Accelerator

A business toolbox designed to help entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. Members enjoy free access to professional business advice, interviews and workshops.

National
Springboard Enterprises: Amy Millman

A Highly-vetted expert network of innovators, investors and influencers who are dedicated to building high-growth technology-oriented companies led by women.

202.242.6282 / http://www.sb.co
Milwaukee
BizStarts Milwaukee

A collaborative center connecting start-ups and scaling businesses to business resources, education and capital.

Milwaukee
The Commons

An unparalleled level of collaboration, creating a vast web of connections and opportunity to retain our best and brightest collegiate students.

Beloit
CELEB Beloit

The Center for Entrepreneurship in Liberal Education at Beloit is a space for student's to start and expand their entrepreneurial pursuits through incubator, gallery and technology facilities.

Superior
The Development Association

A nonprofit that assists with the retention, creation, expansion and recruitment of businesses in Superior and Douglas Counties.

715.392.4749 / http://www.wegrowbiz.org
Madison
Center for Technology Commercialization: Bon Wikenheiser

Technical assistance professionals who consult with entrepreneurs to help prepare companies for investment capital.

608.263.0398 / http://wisconsinbir.org
Wauwatosa
UWM Innovation Campus: David Gilbert

A public-private venture bringing together key players in research, business, finance and government to create products, grow business and transform lives.

414.906.4670 / http://www.4.uwm.edu
Eau Claire
CVTC Applied Tech. Center

Specialized incubation center with space and equipment for businesses specializing in micro fabrication and other advanced manufacturing techniques.

715.874.4655 / http://www.cvtc.edu/atc
Whitewater
UWW Wisconsin Innovation Center

The cornerstone of the Whitewater University Technology Park and a leading hub of innovation and growth including everthing a business needs to grow and succeed.

Madison
Discovery to Product- UW-Madison

D2P provides resources for innovations coming from campus dorm rooms and laboratories to help bridge the gap from inspiration to commercial reality.

608.890.0904 / http://www.d2p.wisc.edu
Milwaukee
Ward4

A start-up hub and collaborative community. Home to gener8tor-run entrepreneurship training classes, meeting areas and work spaces for earlier state start-ups.

Wausau
Entrepreneurial & Education Center: Romey Wagner

An innovative approach to entrepreneurial development. It will make a significant contribution to the economoic growth of Wausau and Central Wisconsin.

Madison
WEDC: Aaron Hager

Wisconsin’s lead economic development agency, with more than 600 regional and local partners implementing powerful programs for Wisconsin entrepreneurs.

Milwaukee
gBETA

gBETA is a program of nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor. gBETA is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots. Each program is capped at five teams, and requires no fees and no equity. 

Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine
Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Company

Business supporters and financial educators who specialize in the assistance of women, people of color and low-income entrepreneurs.

414.263.5450 / http://www.wwbic.com