Keep up with the latest news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —The Milwaukee School of Engineering announced it’s building a $34 million facility devoted to artificial intelligence research and computational science education. The four-year college’s goal in constructing the 64,000-square-foot research center is to position MSOE “at the forefront in artificial intelligence, … Continue reading “MSOE, Noncompetes, NASA, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Tag: Gener8tor
Awards, Water Council, TechSpark, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Keep up with the latest news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —The fourth annual Wisconsin Innovation Awards, a program that seeks to recognize bright ideas from companies based in the Badger State, were held earlier this week. According to a press release, the ten category winners were chosen from more than 230 … Continue reading “Awards, Water Council, TechSpark, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Gener8tor, Shine, Cellectar, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Stay current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Gener8tor announced the six startups chosen to receive investments and mentorship during its latest 12-week accelerator program, which kicked off last month and runs through November. The program is being run out of Gener8tor’s Milwaukee offices, and three of the companies in the … Continue reading “Gener8tor, Shine, Cellectar, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
gBETA, Gener8tor’s Free Accelerator Program, Is Expanding to Detroit
Gener8tor, a Wisconsin-based organization that holds training programs for startups and invests in them, will soon hold its first program in Michigan, if its website is any indication. gBETA is a series of free, seven-week accelerator programs run by Gener8tor that help entrepreneurs with things like pitching their products, adding users and customers, and raising … Continue reading “gBETA, Gener8tor’s Free Accelerator Program, Is Expanding to Detroit”
Smart Choice, Foxconn, JCI, Generac & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Stay current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Smart Choice MRI, which is based in Chicago but has roots and dozens of employees in the Milwaukee area, raised an undisclosed amount of financing from Aurora, CO-based UCHealth, according to a BizTimes Media report. Smart Choice operates a chain of imaging centers … Continue reading “Smart Choice, Foxconn, JCI, Generac & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Gener8tor Partners with UW-Madison CS Department on Mini-Accelerator
Gener8tor is bringing its latest series of training programs for entrepreneurs to Madison, WI, as part of a new partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s computer sciences department. Launched in 2012, Wisconsin-based Gener8tor coaches and invests in early-stage businesses through different types of programs. Its most recently introduced series is gALPHA, a three-week hackathon-accelerator hybrid. Gener8tor … Continue reading “Gener8tor Partners with UW-Madison CS Department on Mini-Accelerator”
WARF’s Erik Iverson Announces New VC Funds, Therapeutics Program
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s tech transfer office plans to invest $60 million in startups affiliated with the school over the next eight years and has launched a separate $50 million initiative aimed at commercializing UW-Madison research and discoveries in human therapeutics. Erik Iverson, managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation—an independent organization that manages … Continue reading “WARF’s Erik Iverson Announces New VC Funds, Therapeutics Program”
Forward Fest, Markable, Kiio & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
The launch of a weeklong entrepreneurship-focused conference and several new funding rounds are among these recent headlines from Wisconsin’s innovation community: —Startup founders, software geeks, investors, and others are gathering in Madison for the eighth annual Forward Fest, which kicked off Thursday and runs through Aug. 24. Click here to check out the full list … Continue reading “Forward Fest, Markable, Kiio & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
A Buck for a Workout? Kilter’s App Rewards Users for Hitting the Gym
It’s easy to see why customer loyalty programs have long been popular—think frequent flyer miles, cash back on credit card purchases, or working toward a free Frappuccino. Many of the best-known rewards programs are aimed at incentivizing consumers to spend more money, because that way they’ll earn more back. Madison, WI-based startup Kilter Rewards is … Continue reading “A Buck for a Workout? Kilter’s App Rewards Users for Hitting the Gym”
New gBETA Madison Class Includes Solar Electricity Startup NovoMoto
[Updated 8/14/17 11:39 p.m. See below.] Despite having a population of 77 million-plus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo only has access to only 1.3 gigawatts of electricity, says Aaron Olson, a graduate research fellow at the University of Wisconsin Fusion Technology Institute. To understand how miniscule that figure is, Olson says, consider that Madison, … Continue reading “New gBETA Madison Class Includes Solar Electricity Startup NovoMoto”
Beloit, Foxconn, Shine, MVI, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Catch up on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —The New York Times published a lengthy feature story about the efforts of Diane Hendricks, a billionaire corporate executive and philanthropist, to lead an economic revival in the city of Beloit. Hendricks is perhaps best known as the co-founder and owner of ABC … Continue reading “Beloit, Foxconn, Shine, MVI, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Case, M-WERC, Gener8tor, Synesis, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
A tech celebrity’s upcoming visit, a new partnership for an energy consortium, and a liquid nutrition spinout company are among these recent headlines from Wisconsin’s innovation community: —Steve Case, co-founder of the Internet pioneer America Online, will appear at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field for two days in mid-October as part of his “Rise of the … Continue reading “Case, M-WERC, Gener8tor, Synesis, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Water Startups, Hyde, Lucigen, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Just in time for the unofficial start of summer, we’re looking at news on startups in Wisconsin developing new water technologies, as well as one that has created a product for water sports enthusiasts. Plus, an award for growth in exports, an upcoming pitch event, commercial licensing agreements, and more happenings in the state’s innovation community. … Continue reading “Water Startups, Hyde, Lucigen, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Startup Accelerator Gener8tor Explores Possible Expansion to Indiana
Gener8tor, a Wisconsin-based group that runs training programs for early-stage companies and invests in them, is considering bringing those programs to Indianapolis. The organization is still finalizing its decision about whether to expand into the Hoosier State. But if Gener8tor elects to do so, it will likely open an Indianapolis office by early 2018 and … Continue reading “Startup Accelerator Gener8tor Explores Possible Expansion to Indiana”
Gener8tor, StartingBlock, Wicab, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Catch up on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Gener8tor, which has run training programs for entrepreneurs in Wisconsin and Minnesota, graduated five startups from its core accelerator program. Descriptions of the companies, which had been working from Gener8tor’s office in Madison since February, are available here. See articles in the Wisconsin … Continue reading “Gener8tor, StartingBlock, Wicab, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Understory’s Weather Data Tracking Network Is Now Active in 6 Cities
Understory, a weather technology startup based in Madison, WI, has expanded its geographic footprint and named a key customer. Understory builds weather stations to measure things like wind, temperature, humidity, rain, and hail. It sells weather data to businesses such as insurance company Pacific Specialty—a customer Understory just revealed—and provides data free to consumers. With … Continue reading “Understory’s Weather Data Tracking Network Is Now Active in 6 Cities”
Agro Bio, BrightStar, Stratatech, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Stay current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community, starting with these recent headlines: —Agro Biosciences, a Milwaukee-area company whose technology is aimed at identifying beneficial bacteria in order to improve agricultural products, said it was acquired by Church & Dwight (NYSE: [[ticker:CHD]]), the parent company of Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition. According to a press … Continue reading “Agro Bio, BrightStar, Stratatech, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Titan Spine, Aurora, CMFG, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Catch up on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community, starting with these recent headlines: —Mequon-based Titan Spine, which makes titanium cages of various shapes and sizes designed for use in spinal surgeries, said it achieved “record sales” during the first three months of 2017. In a press release highlighting the company’s recent progress, Titan Spine said that … Continue reading “Titan Spine, Aurora, CMFG, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Monthly Handbag Service Among 5 Startups in Latest Gener8tor Class
The list of products that businesses are now shipping to customers on a periodic basis as part of a subscription service seems to be getting longer all the time. Consumers can sign up to receive a monthly supply of makeup, wine and cheese pairings, and even cat litter, just to name a few examples. Add Ivory … Continue reading “Monthly Handbag Service Among 5 Startups in Latest Gener8tor Class”
Telkonet, Wantable, Marquette, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
March into April by staying current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community, starting with these recent headlines: —Telkonet, a Waukesha-based company that develops hardware and software to connect machines to the Internet, and to each other, sold one of its business divisions to Syosset, NY-based DCI-Design Communications. The price paid for the business unit, which is … Continue reading “Telkonet, Wantable, Marquette, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Gener8tor Announces Latest Mini-Accelerator Classes, Pitch Event
The Wisconsin-based startup accelerator Gener8tor earlier this week unveiled the 10 startups currently participating in gBETA, a free, six-week program managed by Gener8tor. The companies are split evenly between two programs. One is taking place in Beloit, WI, the first time gBETA has been held in that city. The other program is in Madison, WI. … Continue reading “Gener8tor Announces Latest Mini-Accelerator Classes, Pitch Event”
Scanalytics Receives Loan From WEDC, Eyes Series A Later This Year
Scanalytics, a Milwaukee-based startup that creates hardware and software to help customers track the movement of people through physical spaces, says it has received a $200,000 loan from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The loan, which WEDC provided under its Technology Development Loan Program, is part of a $1 million-plus funding round that Scanalytics recently … Continue reading “Scanalytics Receives Loan From WEDC, Eyes Series A Later This Year”
Did Milwaukee-Based Startups Really Raise $111 Million in 2016?
According to data compiled by PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association, two groups that monitor investment trends, startups based in the Milwaukee area collectively raised about $44.6 million in 2016. That was up from 2015, when PitchBook and NVCA data show the region’s funding total was about $28.1 million. Many members of the Milwaukee area’s … Continue reading “Did Milwaukee-Based Startups Really Raise $111 Million in 2016?”
Gravy Live, Promega, Okanjo, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Stay current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these headlines from late February and early March: —A trio of serial entrepreneurs based in the Madison area has launched a new startup, Gravy Live. The company raised more than $450,000 in funding from three investors, according to a regulatory filing that was made public on … Continue reading “Gravy Live, Promega, Okanjo, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Gener8tor, ParqEx, 4490, RPRD, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Catch up on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Gener8tor, a startup accelerator that has held programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota, has named Eric Martell managing director of its Twin Cities programming, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reported. Martell is a co-founder of EatStreet, a Madison-based food-ordering startup, and previously served as … Continue reading “Gener8tor, ParqEx, 4490, RPRD, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Stemina, Abele, Stem Pharm, & IoT: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Catch up on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —A blood test developed by Madison-based Stemina Biomarker Discovery that would help determine whether children with autism disorder are able to process certain foods or vitamin supplements could become available in the next year, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. NeuroPointDX, a division of … Continue reading “Stemina, Abele, Stem Pharm, & IoT: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Gener8tor To Launch ‘Hackathon And Accelerator Hybrid’ For Startups
The Wisconsin-based startup accelerator Gener8tor says it’s working to create a new, three-week program for individuals and teams with ideas for new products and companies. Gener8tor would run the new program, called gALPHA, alongside its core 12-week accelerator and gBETA, a shorter, no-strings-attached accelerator it introduced in 2015. The organization has held its core program … Continue reading “Gener8tor To Launch ‘Hackathon And Accelerator Hybrid’ For Startups”
Noncompetes, Wine Clubs, Broadband, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Gyms are swarming with people, temperatures are dropping below zero, and the Green Bay Packers are alive in the NFL playoffs—it must be January in Wisconsin. Make it a resolution to stay plugged into the state’s innovation community, starting with these recent headlines: —Wisconsin could be hurting itself in its effort to spur more entrepreneurship by … Continue reading “Noncompetes, Wine Clubs, Broadband, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
ParqEx Raises $1.2M to Connect Private Parking Owners, Seekers
[Updated 1/4/17, 10:42 am. See below.] ParqEx, a Chicago-based company with several Wisconsin ties whose technology allows users to find or rent out private parking spots, has raised $1.2 million from investors, according to multiple media reports. Two Madison, WI-based venture capital groups, Venture Management and Wisconsin Investment Partners, were among the participants in the seed financing … Continue reading “ParqEx Raises $1.2M to Connect Private Parking Owners, Seekers”
Subscription-Based Startups Size Up Amazon, Brick-And-Mortar Stores
Amazon said it shipped more than one billion items worldwide this holiday season, marking another record-setting year for the Seattle-based online retailer. Sales figures tell part of the story, while Amazon’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) steadily expanding geographic footprint tells another. The upshot is that for a new company looking to break into e-commerce, Amazon is likely … Continue reading “Subscription-Based Startups Size Up Amazon, Brick-And-Mortar Stores”
Titan Spine, Alfred, IoT, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
The year 2016 will soon be in the rear-view mirror. Catch up on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community, and take a look ahead to 2017, with these recent headlines: —The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel profiled Titan Spine, a Mequon-based company that makes titanium cages of various shapes and sizes designed for spinal surgeons to use when … Continue reading “Titan Spine, Alfred, IoT, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
BrightStar Wisconsin Invests $550K in 3 Milwaukee Startups
BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation has invested a combined $550,000 in three Milwaukee-based startups, the nonprofit said Thursday in a news release. The most recent additions to BrightStar’s portfolio, which now comprises 32 companies, are: Access HealthNet, which gives employees of business clients the ability to purchase and schedule common medical procedures from local providers; OnKöl, which sells … Continue reading “BrightStar Wisconsin Invests $550K in 3 Milwaukee Startups”
StartingBlock Madison Nets Federal Grant, Partners with Bunker Labs
The U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded a $471,875 grant to StartingBlock Madison, a still-to-be-built entrepreneurial center in Wisconsin’s capital city, the agency said on Tuesday. Scott Resnick, executive director of StartingBlock Madison, said that the grant will be paid out over three years. His organization plans to use the money to fund operations, including hiring … Continue reading “StartingBlock Madison Nets Federal Grant, Partners with Bunker Labs”
Milwaukee Wine Subscription Startup Now Also Shipping Cheese
Bright Cellars appears to have little difficulty adjusting to its surroundings. The monthly wine service, which started in Boston but moved to Milwaukee last year, says it is now also shipping boxes of artisan cheeses to customers’ doorsteps. The cheeses are all made in the Badger State, Bright Cellars says. “Wisconsin has some of the … Continue reading “Milwaukee Wine Subscription Startup Now Also Shipping Cheese”
Gener8tor Unveils New Class of Startups, Hits Fundraising Milestone
Daniel Rotman wishes he had been able to tell sooner that his cat was sick. Rotman says that in 2010, he started noticing that his cat, Gingi, wasn’t her normal self. He brought her into a veterinarian’s office, and Gingi was later diagnosed with feline leukemia. Not long after that, she passed away. “Cats are … Continue reading “Gener8tor Unveils New Class of Startups, Hits Fundraising Milestone”
Promentis, Kiio, EmOpti, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Take a break from raking leaves and putting up your Halloween decorations and catch up on the latest news from Wisconsin’s innovation community: —Milwaukee-based Promentis Pharmaceuticals raised nearly $8.8 million in equity financing from eight investors, according to a document filed with federal securities regulators. Reached by phone, Promentis president and CEO Chad Beyer declined … Continue reading “Promentis, Kiio, EmOpti, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Exact Sciences, Rockwell, & Gender Gaps: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Stay on top of the latest news from Wisconsin’s innovation community, starting with these recent headlines: —Madison-based Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) said that Cologuard, the company’s stool-based DNA test for colorectal cancer, is now included in a set of quality measures for colorectal cancer screening. The group of quality measures, known as the Healthcare Effectiveness Data … Continue reading “Exact Sciences, Rockwell, & Gender Gaps: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Gener8tor, University of Minnesota Tech Transfer Office to Team Up
Gener8tor, a startup accelerator whose programs have taken place exclusively in Wisconsin up to this point, took a key step forward in its expansion into Minnesota this week. The University of Minnesota’s technology transfer arm, known as the Office for Technology Commercialization (OTC), says it has formed a partnership with Gener8tor in an effort aimed … Continue reading “Gener8tor, University of Minnesota Tech Transfer Office to Team Up”
StartingBlock Reaches Funding Goal, Moves Closer to Groundbreaking
StartingBlock Madison, a still-to-be-built entrepreneurial center just east of downtown in Wisconsin’s capital city, took another major step forward this week. The nonprofit organization says it has met its $3 million fundraising goal and, with that piece in place, can continue working toward a groundbreaking planned for later this year. The City of Madison contributed … Continue reading “StartingBlock Reaches Funding Goal, Moves Closer to Groundbreaking”
Wisconsin Again Fares Poorly In Kauffman Ranking of Startup Activity
It’s beginning to sound like a broken record. For the second straight year, Wisconsin is the worst state in the U.S. for startups, according to a ranking by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Business and political leaders in the Badger State seem to be united in their displeasure with the ranking. But they’re split in … Continue reading “Wisconsin Again Fares Poorly In Kauffman Ranking of Startup Activity”
Panel: Healthtech In Madison Is Expanding Beyond Patient Records
Some national business publications have begun to recognize Madison, WI, as a market for software professionals that punches above its weight. One example was Forbes ranking the city fifth on the magazine’s 2014 list of “Cities Winning The Battle For Information Jobs.” Healthcare IT stands out as a particular strength of the area, thanks in … Continue reading “Panel: Healthtech In Madison Is Expanding Beyond Patient Records”
Epic, Wellbe, WARF, & Arrowhead: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Lots of recent news from Wisconsin’s innovation community to catch up on. Let’s get to it: —Healthcare IT News spoke to leaders at Verona-based Epic Systems, including founder and CEO Judy Faulkner, about the ability of hospitals and clinics that use Epic’s patient records software to exchange data with other organizations. Faulkner told the blog that … Continue reading “Epic, Wellbe, WARF, & Arrowhead: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
gBETA Graduates 10 Startups, Announces New Program in Beloit
One of Jessica Chapin’s duties as a neuropsychologist is evaluating elderly individuals for dementia. A question that often comes up during these assessments is how patients are feeling when they get behind the wheel. Sometimes it’s the middle-age sons or daughters of seniors who ask Chapin if their parents are still safe to drive, she … Continue reading “gBETA Graduates 10 Startups, Announces New Program in Beloit”
MobileIgniter to Shut Down After Five Years and Multiple Pivots
According to U.S. Census data, less than half of businesses started between 1977 and 2000 lived to celebrate their fifth birthday. Indeed, today’s entrepreneurs understand there’s no guarantee they’ll succeed. There’s even a celebratory culture around failure in some circles. But if a startup does fail, the question is what lessons can be applied to … Continue reading “MobileIgniter to Shut Down After Five Years and Multiple Pivots”
Exact Sciences, D2P, & Bon Ami: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Stay plugged in on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Even though a decision from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force last month improved the outlook for Madison-based Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) and Cologuard, its stool-based DNA test for colorectal cancer, there is still disagreement about whether insurance companies will cover the … Continue reading “Exact Sciences, D2P, & Bon Ami: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Redox, Cellectar, Shine, & PeptiMed: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Stay caught up on all the latest news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Redox, a Madison-based startup whose software helps other developers integrate their products with electronic health records (EHR) systems used at hospitals and clinics, revealed some of the companies and health systems that are using or plan to use Redox’s … Continue reading “Redox, Cellectar, Shine, & PeptiMed: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Gener8tor Opening Minnesota Office, First Class to Start in Fall
Gener8tor’s westward march along Interstate 94 continues. The startup accelerator, which launched in Milwaukee in 2012 before adding programs in Madison, WI, said on Thursday that it plans to open an office in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and enroll its first class of early-stage companies there later this year. “We see a really robust market … Continue reading “Gener8tor Opening Minnesota Office, First Class to Start in Fall”
Tax Credits, Remedy Analytics, & Fiserv: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Catch up on the latest news from the Badger State’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Wisconsin lawmakers voted to move $8 million in tax credits out of a pool of credits earmarked for early-stage companies and their investors, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. The tax credits are “now part of a new business development … Continue reading “Tax Credits, Remedy Analytics, & Fiserv: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Stemina, Connecture, & Epic: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
The weather is heating up, and so is activity within Wisconsin’s innovation community. Stay in the know with these recent headlines: —Stemina Biomarker Discovery, a Madison-based startup that’s developing a blood-based test for diagnostic autism spectrum disorder, raised another $2.4 million from investors, co-founder and CEO Elizabeth Donley said in an e-mail. The new money is … Continue reading “Stemina, Connecture, & Epic: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Exact Staff Cuts, NorthStar, & New Fundings: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Job cuts, expanded radioisotope production, and several new funding rounds are among these recent headlines from Wisconsin’s innovation community: —Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) recently eliminated 29 employees, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. The Madison-based biotech’s growth has been brisk in recent years; Exact’s current headcount is reportedly about 750, up from 110 in early 2014. … Continue reading “Exact Staff Cuts, NorthStar, & New Fundings: This Week’s WI Watchlist”