New U Wisconsin-Madison WARF Accelerator Program gives promising IP a boost, sells a portfolio spinout
The recent sale of a UW–Madison spinoff that promises to increase efficiency and reduce antibiotic use in making fuel ethanol marks a victory for UW–Madison technology, says Greg Keenan, manager of the Accelerator Program (AP) at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. AP is designed to make it easier for companies to license patents held by […]
Microsoft sponsoring free startup accelerator in northeast Wisconsin
Microsoft Corp. and others will sponsor a free accelerator program from Milwaukee-based gener8tor to fuel the growth of 10 northeastern Wisconsin startups each year, gener8tor announced in a news release Wednesday. Microsoft is sponsoring gBETA, a free version of gener8tor’s nationally ranked accelerator program that provides mentorship and coaching to startups. “Emerging companies need more than […]
Wisconsin startup funding up 60% in 2016 | BizTimes Media Milwaukee
Eighty-four Wisconsin startups received $281.7 million in funding in 2016, up 60 percent from $177 million in 2015, according to the latest INvest Quarterly report from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The report tracks only companies the state has designated as Qualified New Business Ventures, which is open to high-tech, early-stage Wisconsin companies developing innovative […]
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Research Foundation announces new Catalyst Grants
Five new research projects at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have received grant seed-funding from the UWM Research Foundation for projects that range from new materials for removal of arsenic from groundwater to a strategy for improving batteries for electric cars. The Catalyst Grant Program invests in promising early-stage research at UWM in areas where the […]
WARF to rev up funding for startup companies | Business Report | chippewa.com
WARF is blazing forward with efforts to turn UW-Madison discoveries into products on the market, and will triple its spending on entrepreneurial programs over the next several years. Erik Iverson, managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, noted that studies have shown Wisconsin lags many other states in entrepreneurship, ranking Wisconsin 25th in the […]
New Bascom Ventures capital fund is premised on University of Wisconsin alumni pride
The secret ingredient to building a robust investment fund for startups might just be Badger pride. That’s the idea behind a new venture capital fund called Bascom Ventures, anyway. The 10-week-old endeavor is fundraising from University of Wisconsin alumni to create a pool of millions of dollars to go toward startups with UW alumni at […]
Company founded by two Marquette University researchers raises $26 million in funding
Promentis Pharmaceuticals, a Milwaukee company co-founded by Drs. John Mantsch and David Baker, researchers from the Marquette University College of Health Sciences, raised $26 million, including $17.2 million in its third funding round. OrbiMed, F-Prime Capital Partners (formerly Fidelity Biosciences) and Aisling Capital were the lead investors. This is exceptional syndicate of investors, particularly for […]
Ideadvance Seed Fund now open to some U Wisconsin System alumni
The Ideadvance Seed Fund, previously limited to students, faculty and staff of the university system, has now been extended to include UW System alumni – except those who attended University of Wisconsin-Madison. The seed fund is seeking applications through April 28 from alumni who have a business idea related to advancing the “knowledge economy” in […]
La Crosse Venture capital firm gets bolstered by investment from Badger Fund of Funds
How many business ventures can the Idea Fund fund now that it’s been funded by the Badger Fund of Funds? At least a dozen, Idea Fund of La Crosse managing director and La Crosse native Jonathon Horne hopes as his venture capital firm gets off the ground. Horne, the son of Judge Scott Horne, moved […]
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation awards $700,000 in grants to support local efforts to provide seed funding for startups
Three economic development organizations have been awarded a total of $700,000 in matching grants from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to be used to provide seed funding for technology-based startups and early-stage companies. The Milwaukee Development Corporation has received a $500,000 grant under WEDC’s Capital Catalyst Program for the creation of a $1 million […]