Job Creation through Capital Donation

News

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.

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