News

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.

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.