Job Creation through Capital Donation
MILWAUKEE, December 16, 2020 – BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc. today announced that its investment committee has approved two new investments in early-stage Wisconsin based companies: COnovate, Inc. and Retham Technologies, LLC. These investments bring to 57 the number of early-stage Wisconsin companies in which BrightStar has invested.
MILWAUKEE, May 7, 2020 – BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation, Inc is pleased to announce it has been awarded a Capital Catalyst Grant (CCG) from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). The goal of the CCG program is to increase the availability of capital to startups and emerging growth companies to support their growth and attract additional private investment. WEDC does this by providing matching grants to seed funds like BrightStar and other eligible entities dedicated to stimulating entrepreneurship.
Dear Friends of BrightStar,
MILWAUKEE, March 4, 2020 – BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc. today announced that it has invested in two more Wisconsin based companies: Stem Pharm, Inc. and AgriCycle Global, Inc. These investments bring to 54 the number of early-stage Wisconsin companies in which BrightStar has invested.
MILWAUKEE, Dec. 18, 2019 – BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation’s “Hatch” program was originally created to be a one-year event in order to reward some of its northern Wisconsin donors by helping them to increase entrepreneurism and deal flow in their locales.
Mike Malatesta is the founder, author & host of "How'd it Happen," a podcast that explores the stories of successful people from all walks of life. In one of his recent podcasts he follows Tom Shannon, the founder and CEO of BrightStar Wisconsin in an episode called "Tom Shannon, Mastermind Of Job Growth and Early Stage Companies - Episode 51."
Click on the link below to take a listen:
MILWAUKEE, October 2, 2019 - BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation, Inc. launched the Hatch entrepreneurial pitch program in 2017 in the central part of the state. That successful launch allowed BrightStar to expand the program in 2018 and 2019. Hatch is a rotating, high-energy idea pitch program designed to facilitate connections between prospective entrepreneurs and those within a community who support them such as industry experts, professional service firms, banks, non-profits, business leaders and investors.
MILWAUKEE, August 7, 2019- Brightstar Wisconsin Foundation announced its recent investment in “Give Me Liberty”, a film that has now received acclaim from critics around the world. The freewheeling yet profound comedy was shot entirely in Milwaukee and was co-written, directed, and produced by individuals from the area. It is only the fourth film ever to be invited to both the Sundance and Cannes film festivals.
MILWAUKEE, July 9, 2019 – BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc. today announced that it has completed investments in three Wisconsin early-stage companies. They bring to 52 the number of BrightStar investments in Wisconsin companies since its founding.
MILWAUKEE, June 5, 2019 – BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc. today announced that it has made an investment in two companies that are new to its portfolio: HDL Diagnostics, Inc. and FreshEx Corp., Pleasant Prairie. These investments bring to 48 the number of early-stage Wisconsin companies in which BrightStar has invested.