With 2014 coming to a close, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on the past year. That’s especially true for me today, as Xconomy celebrates the one-year anniversary of our launch in Wisconsin. It’s been an eventful 12 months, with plenty of big news—both exciting and discouraging developments for advocates of Wisconsin’s innovation and startup … Continue reading “From Healthtech to Beer Tech, Xconomy Wisconsin’s 1st Year in Review”
Tag: Gener8tor
CDS Snaps Up Gener8tor Grad Optyn to Expand its Software Services
Central Data Storage (CDS) has purchased Chicago online marketing startup Optyn, a 2013 graduate of Gener8tor’s accelerator program, for an undisclosed price, the companies announced today. The deal provides some early validation for Gener8tor, a Wisconsin accelerator that has invested in 28 companies since its 2012 founding and recently raised $2.1 million for its second … Continue reading “CDS Snaps Up Gener8tor Grad Optyn to Expand its Software Services”
StartingBlock Madison Gets Key Investment From American Family
The proposed StartingBlock Madison development project got an important boost today, with the announcement of “significant” financial support from American Family Insurance. The size of American Family’s investment wasn’t disclosed, as the details are still being finalized, according to a press release. StartingBlock is part of a high-profile development in downtown Madison, WI, that would … Continue reading “StartingBlock Madison Gets Key Investment From American Family”
StartingBlock, Madison’s Answer to Chicago’s 1871, Hits Crucial Stage
A vacant 1.75-acre piece of land in downtown Madison, WI—once the site of a car dealership—could become one of the most important hubs for tech entrepreneurship in the state’s capital, if the backers of a proposed project called StartingBlock Madison make their vision a reality. StartingBlock would put startup accelerator Gener8tor and maker space Sector67 … Continue reading “StartingBlock, Madison’s Answer to Chicago’s 1871, Hits Crucial Stage”
Wisconsin Roundup: Gener8tor, Phoenix Nuclear Labs, Solaris, & More
The holiday season is upon us, but there’s been no shortage of news from Wisconsin’s technology and innovation sector. It’s time to catch up on the latest announcements: —Gener8tor, the startup accelerator that holds programs in Madison and Milwaukee, has raised more than $2.1 million for its second seed capital fund. Investors include Milwaukee-based CSA … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Gener8tor, Phoenix Nuclear Labs, Solaris, & More”
Edison DC Systems, Backed by Energy Foundry, Moves Closer to Market
Edison DC Systems, an energy storage startup that graduated Gener8tor’s accelerator program in April, has raised nearly $1.4 million from investors. The round was led by Chicago-based Energy Foundry, with participation by angel investors in Wisconsin, Illinois, and New York, Edison co-founder and CEO John Meinecke said. “This is a great opportunity for them and … Continue reading “Edison DC Systems, Backed by Energy Foundry, Moves Closer to Market”
Gener8tor Continues Momentum With Fifth Class of Startups
Alumni of Gener8tor’s startup accelerator have been on a roll lately, and last night the program officially released its newest class into the wild with a closing event featuring pitches from the five graduating companies. Now it’s up to the latest batch of Gener8tor startups to make good on their plans, which were shared with … Continue reading “Gener8tor Continues Momentum With Fifth Class of Startups”
Steve Case Gears Up For Second “Rise of the Rest” Midwestern Tour
AOL co-founder Steve Case likes to point out that a century ago, Detroit was America’s innovation capital, and Silicon Valley was just a bunch of farmland. Today, Silicon Valley is the bustling tech capital of the world, and the Motor City is trying to reinvent itself after a couple of decades marred by the outsourcing … Continue reading “Steve Case Gears Up For Second “Rise of the Rest” Midwestern Tour”
BrightStar to Invest in Gener8tor Startups If They Create WI Jobs
Wisconsin startup accelerator program Gener8tor has received a new commitment from an angel investment fund, but the money comes with a catch for portfolio companies: To be eligible, they must create “high-quality” jobs in Wisconsin. BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation announced Wednesday it will invest $50,000 in each company that goes through Gener8tor’s bi-annual programs in Madison … Continue reading “BrightStar to Invest in Gener8tor Startups If They Create WI Jobs”
Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, CSA Partners, 100state, & More
In this week’s installment of Wisconsin innovation headlines, startups are raising capital, co-working spaces are on the move, and a closely watched Madison life sciences company offers details about initial commercialization of its FDA-approved product: —Cellectar Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLRB]]) raised $13.5 million in its first public offering since moving to the Nasdaq stock exchange from … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, CSA Partners, 100state, & More”
VictorySpark, Revolution Labs in Holding Pattern, Seek Funding
As the leaders of Milwaukee’s Global Entrepreneurship Collective get ready to wrap up their summer accelerator for military veteran entrepreneurs this week, the program is entering a bit of a holding pattern. The Global Entrepreneurship Collective (GEC), run by entrepreneurs Greg Meier and Nick Wichert, operates two accelerators for early-stage startups: VictorySpark (formerly known as … Continue reading “VictorySpark, Revolution Labs in Holding Pattern, Seek Funding”
Startups Still Abandon Wisconsin, But Growing Cluster Keeping More Here
SurveyMonkey has come a long way since Ryan Finley started the company in his Madison, WI, apartment. The online polling service, which counts Facebook and Harvard among its customers, began in 1999 after Finley earned his computer science degree from the state’s flagship university. It survived the dot-com era’s collapse, reportedly bootstrapping its way to … Continue reading “Startups Still Abandon Wisconsin, But Growing Cluster Keeping More Here”
Apartment Website Abodo Snags 4490 Ventures’ First Investment
Abodo, the Madison, WI-based apartment rental website, has closed a $1.25 million Series A investment that’s significant not only for the company, but also because of the investors involved. The round was led by Madison-based American Family Ventures, the $50 million VC arm of American Family Insurance. The fund was formed in 2010 but only … Continue reading “Apartment Website Abodo Snags 4490 Ventures’ First Investment”
From Fitness to Fashion, Gener8tor’s Summer Program a Diverse Mix
The latest class of startups accepted into Wisconsin-based Gener8tor’s accelerator features a strong Badger State flavor and a diverse mix of sectors—from fitness to fashion, big data to education. On Friday, Gener8tor announced the five companies participating in its three-month program in Milwaukee, which begins today and culminates with an October pitch event to investors … Continue reading “From Fitness to Fashion, Gener8tor’s Summer Program a Diverse Mix”
Wisconsin Roundup: ‘Shark Tank,’ 1 Million Cups, Promega, & More
To start off your week, here’s a few recent notable developments in Wisconsin’s technology and innovation community: —Promega continues to expand its Madison-area headquarters. The global manufacturer of biological research products, including enzymes and proteins, broke ground last week on a $30 million, 100,000-square-foot packaging and shipping facility expected to open next year, the Wisconsin … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: ‘Shark Tank,’ 1 Million Cups, Promega, & More”
American Family Ventures Exits Stealth Mode, Builds National Portfolio
American Family Insurance has quietly become perhaps the most active Wisconsin corporation in the local startup scene, but this week it made a splash with two high-profile announcements. The Madison, WI-based insurer’s venture capital arm participated in Chicago-based Review Trackers’ $2 million Series A funding round announced yesterday. Also yesterday, Microsoft announced a new startup … Continue reading “American Family Ventures Exits Stealth Mode, Builds National Portfolio”
Microsoft, American Family Insurance Launch Startup Accelerator
Microsoft announced a new startup accelerator today that will be housed at its headquarters outside Seattle and focused on companies innovating in home automation. Microsoft has formed a partnership with Madison, WI-based American Family Insurance, the nation’s eighth-largest provider of homeowners’ insurance (among other insurance products). Through its venture capital arm, American Family Ventures, the … Continue reading “Microsoft, American Family Insurance Launch Startup Accelerator”
Gener8tor Grad Review Trackers Gets $2M From Wisconsin Investors
Fresh off its participation in Gener8tor’s startup accelerator program in Wisconsin, Chicago-based Review Trackers has raised $2 million in Series A funding, mostly from Badger State investors. Review Trackers, which built software to help businesses monitor and analyze what customers say about them online, previously raised $160,000 in seed money from angel investors, friends, and … Continue reading “Gener8tor Grad Review Trackers Gets $2M From Wisconsin Investors”
Madworks Seed Accelerator Aims to Polish Startups For Gener8tor
A new mini-accelerator has joined the growing list of resources for entrepreneurs in Madison, WI. Madworks Coworking at UW Campus, a pilot seed accelerator, launches next week with a $90,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Out of about 70 applicants, a group of 11 startups were accepted into the inaugural class, says Anne … Continue reading “Madworks Seed Accelerator Aims to Polish Startups For Gener8tor”
Wisconsin Roundup: Apple, Epic, Gener8tor, MobCraft, & More
Last week was an especially busy one for Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community, thanks to the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference and a flurry of funding announcements. Here’s a few additional news items that might have flown under the radar: —Apple recently announced its iOS 8 software system, and a Wisconsin company will play a prominent role … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Apple, Epic, Gener8tor, MobCraft, & More”
Gener8tor Grad OpenHomes Raises Seed Funds to Grow Staff, Launch App
Madison, WI-based OpenHomes, a startup that helps people buy and sell homes online, has raised $180,000 in seed funds that will help it expand staff and develop a mobile app, the company said today. Investors include Milwaukee-based CSA Partners, Oshkosh, WI-based Angels on the Water, Wisconsin startup accelerator Gener8tor, and individuals including Mark Bakken, CEO … Continue reading “Gener8tor Grad OpenHomes Raises Seed Funds to Grow Staff, Launch App”
Wisconsin Roundup: Cloud, Solar, Speed Dating, & More
Here are a few recent notable news items in Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Helios Solar Works, a Milwaukee solar panel startup that filed for receivership and shut down last year, will reopen under its new Chinese parent company, Chinaland Solar Energy—but not in Wisconsin. Instead, the company will relocate to North Carolina, according to … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Cloud, Solar, Speed Dating, & More”
Speed Dating: Wisconsin’s Experiment to Connect Startups, Big Boys
Entrepreneurs can raise all the venture capital they want, but they know that in the long run, they don’t have a business without dollars flowing in from customers. For startups aiming to crack the big company market with B2B products and services, it can be challenging just to score a meeting with potential corporate customers, … Continue reading “Speed Dating: Wisconsin’s Experiment to Connect Startups, Big Boys”
WI-Bred Weather Startup Understory Raises $1.9M, Moves HQ to Boston
Understory, a weather data and analytics startup that moved from Madison, WI, to Boston, has raised $1.9 million in a seed funding round, the company announced today. Palo Alto, CA-based True Ventures led the round, with participation from RRE Ventures, Vegas Tech Fund, SK Ventures, and Boston entrepreneur and angel investor Andrew Payne. Understory previously … Continue reading “WI-Bred Weather Startup Understory Raises $1.9M, Moves HQ to Boston”
The Good Jobs Snags $350K To Help Companies Promote Culture
[Updated 4/22/14, 1:13 p.m., to include executives’ full titles.] Milwaukee startup The Good Jobs has secured $350,000 in funding that will allow it to expand staff and step up marketing for its Web tools that help companies showcase their office culture to jobseekers. The funding includes $180,000 from investors, led by Oshkosh, WI-based Angels on … Continue reading “The Good Jobs Snags $350K To Help Companies Promote Culture”
From Pirates to Basketball, Aulet’s Entrepreneurship Lessons for WI
[Updated 4/18/14, 12:01 p.m., to include a link to Aulet’s PowerPoint presentation.] What do pirates, Navy SEALs, rabbits, and street basketball have in common? Entrepreneurship, it turns out. Those were some of the analogies made by Boston-area entrepreneur Bill Aulet in speeches Thursday to groups of more than 50 people in Madison and Milwaukee. Aulet … Continue reading “From Pirates to Basketball, Aulet’s Entrepreneurship Lessons for WI”
Wearing Two Hats, Resnick Pushes Tech Issues on Madison Council
Scott Resnick’s appearance doesn’t exactly scream “politician.” On this particular afternoon, the 27-year-old is seated comfortably in the conference room of his software company’s office overlooking Lake Mendota in Madison, WI. He is wearing a collared shirt with blue, grey, and magenta stripes, along with tan pants. No suit, no tie, no problem. Anything above … Continue reading “Wearing Two Hats, Resnick Pushes Tech Issues on Madison Council”
D2P’s Biondi On Getting UW-Madison More for its ($1.2B) R&D Money
[Corrected 12/17/15, 11:34 a.m. See below.] University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the top-spending schools when it comes to research, but university administrators think its faculty and students could use a boost to turn their ideas into thriving companies. That’s the mandate for Discovery to Product (D2P), a new campus initiative that aims to hike … Continue reading “D2P’s Biondi On Getting UW-Madison More for its ($1.2B) R&D Money”
MIT’s Bill Aulet: Wisconsin Can Benefit From Being Off ‘Beaten Track’
Innovation can come from anywhere, and there might be some advantages for Wisconsin being located in what is sometimes derisively called flyover country. Those are two thoughts shared with me recently by Boston-area entrepreneur Bill Aulet, managing director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and author of a top-selling book published last year … Continue reading “MIT’s Bill Aulet: Wisconsin Can Benefit From Being Off ‘Beaten Track’”
Kauffman Study: Weaker Entrepreneurship Spells Stronger Job Market
The U.S. saw slightly fewer businesses created last year, but there’s a silver lining: the poorer numbers nationwide likely indicate that a stronger job market relieved some of the pressure on people to start companies out of necessity. That’s among the takeaways from the latest Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, an annual study from the … Continue reading “Kauffman Study: Weaker Entrepreneurship Spells Stronger Job Market”
Gener8tor Demos Latest Startups, Growth of Local Scene
Thursday night’s closing event for gener8tor’s winter startup accelerator program in Madison, WI, was an indication of the progress made since January by its five new graduates. It was also a microcosm of how Wisconsin’s overall startup community has grown in the past two years. More than 400 people packed Madison’s Barrymore Theatre to listen … Continue reading “Gener8tor Demos Latest Startups, Growth of Local Scene”
Startup Accelerator Gener8tor Gets $110K From Angel Group WIP
The graduates of gener8tor’s winter startup accelerator program will receive a funding boost thanks to a $110,000 investment in the program by Wisconsin Investment Partners. Wisconsin Investment Partners (WIP), a Madison, WI-based angel investment group, is committing $11,000 toward each startup coming out of gener8tor’s three-month business boot camps this year. That includes five startups … Continue reading “Startup Accelerator Gener8tor Gets $110K From Angel Group WIP”
Dairyland Innovation: Xconomy Wisconsin’s Top Stories Since December Launch
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been just over three months since Xconomy launched in Wisconsin. Although it still doesn’t quite feel like spring in the Midwest, in the spirit of the (technically) new season, I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at the important stories Xconomy Wisconsin has … Continue reading “Dairyland Innovation: Xconomy Wisconsin’s Top Stories Since December Launch”
Wisconsin Startups Join War of Apartment-Hunting Websites
When CoStar Group acquired Apartments.com for $585 million in early March, it was quite the endorsement for the 17-year-old website. But the company hardly has the field to itself. In addition to the listings on venerable Craigslist, a dizzying array of apartment-hunting websites already exists, from HotPads and StreetEasy (both acquired by Zillow, for $16 … Continue reading “Wisconsin Startups Join War of Apartment-Hunting Websites”
Bill Aulet To Talk Entrepreneurship in Madison and Milwaukee
Can entrepreneurship really be taught? This is just one of the questions that we’ll be exploring in Wisconsin on April 17 in two separate roundtable discussions featuring Boston-area entrepreneurship guru Bill Aulet. Xconomy is hosting the events in Madison and Milwaukee in partnership with gener8tor and Startup Milwaukee. The roundtables will be our first events … Continue reading “Bill Aulet To Talk Entrepreneurship in Madison and Milwaukee”
Scale Up Milwaukee, Aided by $350K From WEDC, Aims to Prove Itself
State officials are pouring a lot more cash into Scale Up Milwaukee, the entrepreneurship program that tests a college professor’s theories by helping existing businesses push for more rapid growth. For its second year, Scale Up is getting $350,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., officials told Xconomy. That represents a big increase in support … Continue reading “Scale Up Milwaukee, Aided by $350K From WEDC, Aims to Prove Itself”
Building a Tech Hub in Land of Green Bay Packers, Paper Mills
Northeastern Wisconsin is best known for the Green Bay Packers and paper mills. Not exactly the building blocks for a booming tech startup hub, but a small group of techies and investors is trying to grow one there. It’s still a raw effort with a long way to go before the scene in Green Bay … Continue reading “Building a Tech Hub in Land of Green Bay Packers, Paper Mills”
Wisconsin Roundup: Startup Weekend, Epic Systems, Johnson Controls
A few notable news items from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community over the last week: —The first Startup Weekend was held in the Green Bay area. About 45 people participated, forming nine startup teams in the span of 54 hours on St. Norbert College’s campus, said Chris Campbell, one of the volunteers who helped run … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Startup Weekend, Epic Systems, Johnson Controls”
Wisconsin Restaurant Ordering Platform EatStreet Raises $3.7M
EatStreet, the online restaurant ordering platform based in Madison, WI, has raised $3.7 million in a financing round, according to a document filed this month with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Seventeen investors have taken part so far in the equity offering that could reach $5 million at close, according to the SEC filing. … Continue reading “Wisconsin Restaurant Ordering Platform EatStreet Raises $3.7M”
Wisconsin Startup Growth Driving More Coworking Spaces
[Updated 10:35 am] For the entrepreneur or remote employee itching to get out of the home office or corner coffee shop, the coworking space phenomenon of the past decade has provided a welcome alternative. These open, often collaborative offices have been growing in number across the country, and that’s the case in Wisconsin as well. … Continue reading “Wisconsin Startup Growth Driving More Coworking Spaces”
Milwaukee, Chicago VCs Bullish on Wisconsin Startups
The amount of startup activity in Wisconsin over the past few years, particularly forming new funding sources and supporting tech startups, has venture capitalists from Milwaukee and Chicago cautiously bullish about the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. That was the consensus from a Thursday panel discussion between VCs hosted by the Wisconsin Technology Council’s Wisconsin Innovation Network … Continue reading “Milwaukee, Chicago VCs Bullish on Wisconsin Startups”
From MIT Robot Whiz to DoD Engineer: The Gener8tor Startup Founders
The fourth gener8tor accelerator program got underway this week with a blitz of “speed dates” between the entrepreneurs and a field of potential mentors. On Tuesday I hung out at gener8tor’s office in downtown Madison, WI, where the program’s winter crop of five startups shuffled between office suites in 15-minute individual sessions with mentors. The … Continue reading “From MIT Robot Whiz to DoD Engineer: The Gener8tor Startup Founders”
Liv Blends Obtains $20,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fd3c2f2f-9812-43c2-8d5e-509c4307b643 Date 1/6/2014 Company Name Liv Blends Mailing Address Undisclosed Cambridge, MA 02451 Company Description Liv Blends, Cambridge, Mass., packages 16-ounce cups with fresh fruits, vegetables, seed and nuts that can be inserted into the company’s machine and blended into smoothies. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $20,000 Transaction Round Seed … Continue reading “Liv Blends Obtains $20,000 Seed Funding”
Edison DC Systems Garners $20,000 Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f9cc523a-3ff4-4a15-ba99-9b1c98e55998 Date 1/6/2014 Company Name Edison DC Systems Mailing Address 519 Greenfield Dr. Grafton, WI 53024 Company Description Edison DC Systems was started to address the glaring problem with direct current implementations, that there are vendors of parts and pieces but there is little knowledge of how to create a working system. … Continue reading “Edison DC Systems Garners $20,000 Seed Financing Round”
Gener8tor Goes International With Latest Startup Accelerator Class
Last summer, gener8tor’s startup accelerator class featured companies from outside Wisconsin, a first for the program. Now the Madison and Milwaukee-based startup nurturer has an international flavor. Five new startups have been accepted into the winter class in Madison that gener8tor is starting tonight. The companies hail from Mexico, Massachusetts, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. From … Continue reading “Gener8tor Goes International With Latest Startup Accelerator Class”
Xconomy Launches in Wisconsin: Innovation Isn’t Something We Fly Over
There are no flyover zones in the United States. That’s the way Xconomy views the map, anyway, because we see innovation happening all over America. So it is with great pleasure that today we are launching Xconomy Wisconsin, the ninth hub in our growing national network. It is our third launch this year—after Boulder-Denver and … Continue reading “Xconomy Launches in Wisconsin: Innovation Isn’t Something We Fly Over”
Docalytics Obtains $300,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c49c74eb-7219-473f-a487-b5a4f5e13b8b Date 12/4/2013 Company Name Docalytics Mailing Address Undisclosed Minneapolis, MN 55404 Company Description Our individual prospect engagement data and lead scoring provide you with a wealth of understanding about exactly what your leads are interested in and when/how they consumed your content, letting you target higher-interest leads faster and tailor your … Continue reading “Docalytics Obtains $300,000 New Financing”
Docalytics Receives $300,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f165c16a-5a66-4a68-8b66-f05d51e469fc Date 12/3/2013 Company Name Docalytics Mailing Address Undisclosed Minneapolis, MN 55404 Company Description Our individual prospect engagement data and lead scoring provide you with a wealth of understanding about exactly what your leads are interested in and when/how they consumed your content, letting you target higher-interest leads faster and tailor your … Continue reading “Docalytics Receives $300,000 New Financing Round”
Catalyze.io Garners Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a665b25b-a5bd-459a-9c1f-10c591bb9710 Date 11/20/2013 Company Name Catalyze.io Mailing Address 309 North Water St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Company Description Catalyze makes it faster and cheaper to find your product market fit, and you won’t pay a thing until you do. We scale to keep up with your breakout success! We’re bringing the best of … Continue reading “Catalyze.io Garners Series A Financing Round”
Catalyze.IO Receives $2,025,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a665b25b-a5bd-459a-9c1f-10c591bb9710 Date 11/20/2013 Company Name Catalyze.IO Mailing Address 207 N. Milwaukee St Milwaukee, WI 53202 Company Description Catalyze makes it faster and cheaper to find your product market fit, and you won’t pay a thing until you do. We scale to keep up with your breakout success! We’re bringing the best of … Continue reading “Catalyze.IO Receives $2,025,000 Series A Financing Round”