Press Release - Zilber Donation
Press Release
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
For Immediate Release – Aug. 20, 2013
BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation opens headquarters, adds staff
Zilber Property Group contributes significant office space
News
Albert Nicholas pledges $1 million to BrightStar foundation
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Money manager Albert "Ab" Nicholas said Wednesday he has pledged $1 million to BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc., a new group with an unusual plan for using charitable donations to make venture investments in young state companies.
Nicholas, who is founder and chairman of Milwaukee-based Nicholas Co., is the first contributor to be named by BrightStar since the foundation launched in July with seed pledges of $6 million from eight founding donors.
Press Release - Ab Nicholas Donation
Press Release
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
For Immediate Release
BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation receives $1-million pledge from Nicholas
MILWAUKEE, July 31, 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 it has received a $1-million pledge from Albert “Ab” Nicholas, the founder and chairman of the Milwaukee-based Nicholas Co. investment management firm.
State pledges $300,000 to support BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Monday, July 22, 2013
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. would provide operating funds to venture capital vehicle
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. has pledged $300,000 in operating funds for BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc., a new group that is proposing an unusual plan for raising donations to make venture investments in young state companies.
WEDC pledges $300,000 to BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation
The Business Journal
Monday, July 22, 2013
BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc., a new Milwaukee organization that will invest in Wisconsin technology startups and is seeking nonprofit status, has received a $300,000 pledge from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
The WEDC investment will go toward BrightStar operating expenses and is meant to help BrightStar attract private donations to spur business growth and job creation, a Monday press release said.
BrightStar will receive the WEDC funds after it has achieved 501(c)3 status from the Internal Revenue Service, WEDC said.
Helping young companies — creatively
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Thursday, July 18, 2013
BrightStar Wisconsin aims to persuade the wealthy to donate to a very important cause: Wisconsin's economy
There is a famine of risk capital for young companies in Wisconsin, which is the biggest reason that good ideas that could lead to jobs are going hungry in this state. Sluggish job growth is a perilous trend that threatens the state's well-being now and especially in the future.
A bright idea for job growth
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Saturday, July 13, 2013
It's time to lead instead of falling further behind
For at least two years now, headlines and editorials have all sounded the same theme: "State lags nation in job growth."
Thought leaders such as Tom Still of the Wisconsin Technology Council; Dan Steininger of BizStarts; Julia Taylor of the Greater Milwaukee Committee; and entrepreneur John Torinus have eloquently and repeatedly cited irrefutable data to lay out the problem and the solution:
Wisconsin business leaders form new investment group
Wisconsin State Journal
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Eight business leaders and investors have joined together to create the BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation, a new nonprofit vehicle for investing in early-stage companies.
The eight have pledged to contribute a total of nearly $6 million to set up the philanthropic foundation, and they expect it to raise another $60 million over the next three years.
Donors will not get any return on their investment; the nonprofit organization will pump nearly all of its earnings and returns back into young companies to create more jobs and grow the economy.
BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation to invest donations in startups
The Business Journal
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Eight business leaders and early-stage investors are forming an unusual type of investment capital group: a nonprofit that will spur startups and job creation statewide through charitable donations.
The co-founders have pledged nearly $6 million to establish BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc., Milwaukee, and they expect to raise another $60 million over the next three years.
The group is currently seeking 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and its founders hope to begin screening companies in the fall.
Nonprofit forming to invest in Wisconsin start-up companies
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Donors getting BrightStar started; all returns would add to fund
A new group led by angel investor Tom Shannon will tackle the question that has dogged Wisconsin for more than a decade: With its wealth of ideas and well-educated students, why can't the state produce more job-creating start-up companies?
Shannon and seven other businesspeople on Wednesday will announce the formation of BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc., an unusual nonprofit fund that will invest donors' money in high-growth, technology-based companies across the state.