Milwaukee's Economy
Milwaukee Startup Growth
Milwaukee's entrepreneurs are vital to the regional economy – generating the legacy of tomorrow.
Milwaukee's legacy of innovation, spanning more than a century, has laid the foundation for a thriving startup ecosystem. From clean energy breakthroughs to mobile apps connecting cultural enthusiasts, the Milwaukee startup landscape brims with ingenuity, and the region has every ingredient to become the next center for scalable, high-growth startups.
With Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduating skilled engineers each semester, the region has the talent to create inventive new products. Our Midwestern work ethic ensures great ideas will quickly become tangible products.
A community fueling innovation through mentorship and investment.
News of Milwaukee's burgeoning startup scene has attracted national attention. In 2023, the city claimed the top spot for significant early-stage investment growth among all U.S. cities, according to Dealroom.com. Milwaukee also ranked 8th in YOY venture capital growth nationwide, with a 34% increase in VC funding between 2021 and 2022. This is a standout performance that places the region among a select group of just 10 cities that posted growth that year.
Milwaukee is home to the nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor, which operates 85 accelerators across 41 communities and has funneled more than $1.3 billion in investment into a wide range of ventures. Alongside gener8tor is a robust group of venture capital firms, angel investment groups, and boutique advisory firms.
CULTIVATING INNOVATION:
Milwaukee's collaborative academic ecosystem.
Milwaukee’s colleges and universities play a key role in supporting and developing startup businesses and emerging technologies.The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee supports these efforts through the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center and UWM Research Foundation. Marquette University students and faculty turn dreams into businesses at the Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship. Concordia University Wisconsin students and staff find support with CU Ventures, and Milwaukee School of Engineering students work with the school’s Innovent Center to scale their discoveries.
Showcasing Milwaukee's startup founders & funders
Keep up with the latest success stories in Milwaukee's startup scene at MKE Startup News. A joint initiative of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and a group of startup founders and funders, led by former Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, MKE Startup News features digital profiles that highlight the founders and funders making startups successful in the greater Milwaukee area.
An economic tracker DataTool, developed by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, is also featured on the site to provide data on Milwaukee's progress in terms of innovation and economic growth.
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