Job Creation through Capital Donation

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Xconomy: Nonprofit Investor BrightStar Herds Startup Deals, Seeks More Donors

Xconomy Article
Monday, January 19, 2015

By Jeff Engel, 1/19/2015

Some dealmakers weren’t sure what to expect from BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation when the nonprofit, which invests donations into Badger State startups, came onto the scene in late 2013.

Turns out, the organization has proven itself not only as a valuable, albeit small, source of capital, but also as a shrewd negotiator that has pushed fellow investors to wrap up deals more quickly, supporters say. That’s a boon for both cash-strapped startups and their backers.

BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation announces new flexibility for donor's to direct contributions into UW-Madison related companies.

Press Release
Wednesday, July 30, 2014

For Immediate Release BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation announces new flexibility for donor’s to direct contributions into UW-Madison related companies.The foundation also will provide grants to UW’s Discovery to Products (D2P) Initiative

Investment Announcement

Press Release
Monday, May 5, 2014

MILWAUKEE, May 5, 2014 – The BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc.
today announced that its investment committee has authorized the funding
for three additional early-stage Wisconsin companies.

The companies receiving the BrightStar investments are The Good Jobs
Inc., Milwaukee; Fishidy Inc., Madison; and WholeTrees LLC, which is
based in Madison and building its production facility in Spring Green, Wis.

Feds approve BrightStar's application to be a tax-exempt organization

Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
Tuesday, November 26, 2013

BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc., a new group with an unusual plan for using charitable donations to make venture investments in young state companies, has received federal approval to operate as a tax-exempt organization.

The Internal Revenue Service approval announced Monday paves the way for BrightStar to start investing $7 million already pledged by donors and begin raising more, said Tom Shannon, the foundation's president.

BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation granted tax-exempt status by IRS

Press Release
Monday, November 25, 2013

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 25, 2013 – The BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation, a groundbreaking
philanthropic approach to supporting job creation and economic growth statewide through
investment in early-stage companies, today announced that the Internal Revenue Service
has granted the foundation’s request for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the
Internal Revenue Code. The formal determination of the foundation’s status as taxexempt
enables it to begin executing its unique strategy of soliciting tax-deductible

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