Job Creation through Capital Donation

News

Editorial: Invest in Wisconsin Start-Ups

Thomas Shannon Editorial
Friday, February 13, 2015

By Thomas Shannon, Feb. 13th, 2015

A year ago we were a novel idea and an organization in its infancy. Everyone has been complimentary as to our mission and objective---to ramp up Wisconsin’s economic activity by providing seed money via investment into dozens, then hundreds, of job creating start up companies in our state. Jobs create economic vitality, start up companies create jobs. Start-ups need funding, BrightStar helps fund.

BrightStar receives Qualified Venture Fund certification

BrightStar receives Qualified Venture Fund certification
Tuesday, February 3, 2015

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 3, 2015 BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc. today announced that its investment fund has received Qualified Venture Fund certification from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The certification allows BrightStar to receive tax credits when it invests in approved Wisconsin- based companies.

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.

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