Startup Ecosystem
Milwaukee's entrepreneurs are vital to the regional economy -- generating new wealth and jobs.
Milwaukee's legacy of innovation, spanning a century, has laid the foundation for a thriving startup ecosystem. From revolutionizing clean energy solutions to connecting cultural enthusiasts through a mobile app, Milwaukee's startup landscape brims with ingenuity. Milwaukee has all ingredients to become the next center for innovative startups. With Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and UW-Milwaukee graduating skilled engineers each semester, coupled with the innovators already employed by Milwaukee’s many world class businesses, 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 attention nationwide. In 2023, the city claimed the top spot for significant early-stage investment growth among all U.S. cities, according to Dealroom.co. Additionally, it ranked 8th in year-over-year venture capital growth nationwide, with a remarkable 34% increase in VC funding between 2021 and 2022. This achievement places Milwaukee among a select group of ten cities that experienced growth last year, solidifying its status as an emerging entrepreneurial hub.
Milwaukee is the home base of the nationally ranked startup accelerator, gener8tor. The company operates 85 accelerators across 41 communities, funneling over $1.3 billion in investments into a multitude of ventures. Joining gener8tor in supporting scalable startups is a robust group of venture capital firms and angel investment groups, who work alongside boutique 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 new initiative of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and a group of startup company funders and founders, led by former Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, MKE Startup News aims to increase the economic impact that startup businesses have on the greater Milwaukee area. MKE Startup News features digital online profiles that highlight the stories of the founders and funders who make startups successful in the Milwaukee Region.
An economic tracker DataTool, developed by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, is also featured on the website to provide data on Milwaukee’s progress in terms of innovation and economic growth.
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