Scale your growth with Wisconsin's best accelerators & incubators

This prominent accelerator operates a 12-week investment-for-equity program tailored for high-growth startups. It focuses on a limited number of companies, typically five to six per cohort, ensuring a concierge and mentorship-driven experience. Each startup gains access to an extensive network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, and investors, facilitating over 100 introductions throughout the program. Alumni of the accelerator have successfully raised over $929 million in capital, showcasing its effectiveness in fostering startup success. The institution is industry-agnostic, welcoming startups across a broad range of sectors including Agriculture Tech, Clean Energy, Cybersecurity, Ecommerce, Fintech, General Tech, and Healthcare Tech. It also features specialized tracks in Sustainability, Carbon Removal, HealthTech, and AgTech, emphasizing systemic change in various domains. As a member of the Global Accelerator Network, the organization offers portfolio companies access to over $1 million in deals and perks with vendors such as IBM Cloud, Amazon, and Microsoft. Co-founded by Dan Armbrust, Joe Kirgues, Jon Eckhardt, and Troy Vosseller, it is positioned as a significant player in the startup ecosystem.

gener8tor's Website

This startup accelerator, powered by StartingBlock, is situated in Madison, Wisconsin, and is dedicated to fostering the success of early-stage companies. It offers a comprehensive 10-week program designed to provide tailored mentorship, empowerment through grants, and resources essential for commercialization and governance improvement. Eligibility is focused on Wisconsin-based startups, including entities formed by University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty, staff, alumni, and students, alongside early-stage ventures from the broader Madison community. The organization encourages a lean startup philosophy'build, measure, and learn'and facilitates connections to potential investors while providing office space and an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since its inception in 2014, it has successfully assisted over 115 startups across diverse industries, including notable sectors such as fintech, personal finance, and SaaS. The program supports the growth of a wide range of startups by immersing them in a vibrant community of peers, mentors, and industry experts, removing barriers to innovation and promoting sustainable business practices.

Madworks Accelerator's Website

gBETA Medtech is a free, seven-week accelerator program dedicated to supporting early-stage startups in the medical device, healthcare-related software, biotech, and diagnostics sectors. Sponsored by Boston Scientific and bolstered by support from Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, the program aims to foster innovation and build a collaborative community among promising startups. Each cohort is limited to five companies, ensuring that participants can benefit from meaningful engagement with sponsors, industry experts, and potential investors. The program does not impose any fees or take equity, making it financially accessible for startups. It emphasizes the development of an entrepreneurial mindset while offering valuable mentorship to help entrepreneurs refine their business models. With a focus on medical technology and healthcare advancements, this initiative creates an ideal environment for startups to accelerate their growth and tap into venture capital opportunities within the biotech and healthcare tech industries.

gBETA Medtech's Website

This initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison facilitates the commercialization of early-stage technologies and innovations. Serving as the main entry point to the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem, it connects faculty, staff, and students with essential resources, including education, mentorship, and funding opportunities to help bring their inventions to market. The accelerator specializes in various domains such as Life Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Physical Sciences, and Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Participants benefit from access to lab facilities, legal advice, and business development support. Mentors, industry experts, and successful entrepreneurs provide invaluable guidance throughout the program's duration, which typically spans several months. Networking opportunities abound, allowing startups to connect with potential investors and industry partners. The program also hosts workshops, seminars, and demo days, providing participants with a platform to showcase their products. By nurturing startups and fostering collaboration, the accelerator significantly contributes to the economic growth and innovation landscape derived from academic research.

Discovery to Product's Website

The incubator is an initiative of the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition and We Pivot, dedicated to fostering Milwaukee's tech startup ecosystem. This free program does not take equity from participating founders, making it an accessible opportunity for entrepreneurs. It offers a series of community-driven workshops and networking events, providing guidance, connections, and support to tech startup founders. The program runs on Monday evenings during the spring and fall, culminating in a 'Founder Showcase' where participants present their startups. The Fall 2024 schedule features a kickoff workshop on September 16, followed by virtual workshops and a pitch practice session, concluding with the Showcase on November 18. While the program is sector agnostic and supports a wide range of tech startup ideas, the emphasis is consistently on community engagement and networking. They connect founders with Milwaukee's tech ecosystem, offering valuable coaching and workshops designed to enhance the entrepreneurial journey. The program is limited to 25 founders, ensuring personalized attention and support.

FOR-M's Website

The Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship, a prominent Catholic institution in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serves as a dynamic hub for nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among its students. It focuses on a realistic approach to lifelong career planning, equipping students with the essential knowledge, skills, and mindset for successful entrepreneurship. Participants engage in self-analysis, identify attractive markets, create viable business models, and develop effective elevator pitches and well-structured business plans. Networking is facilitated through the Golden Angels Network, where seasoned business owners provide mentorship, investment opportunities, and guidance. The center operates within the 707 Hub, offering a wide array of resources such as mentoring, workshops, speaker series, and community partnerships. Starting in Fall 2024, an Experiential Learning opportunity will be introduced as part of the Core Curriculum. Additionally, collaboration with Kohler Co. leads to the M-Prize Challenge, encouraging students to innovate and compete for recognition. By integrating practical skills with networking opportunities, it distinguishes itself in fostering entrepreneurial journeys. Established by John Martin Henni, the institution supports industries including Edtech and General Tech.

Marquette University - Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship's Website

This pivotal startup hub in Madison, Wisconsin, fosters an entrepreneurial ecosystem enriched with co-working spaces, flexible offices, and a vibrant community. The flagship program, Madworks Accelerator, provides support for early-stage startups through mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities over a 10-week fall session and a 9-week summer cohort designed for mission-focused enterprises. Each accepted startup receives a one-year membership and a grant of $6,500 to support their operations. The program covers essential educational content areas such as corporate structure, governance, and risk management, while offering tailored mentorship from experts in various fields including finance and law. Founders include Forrest Woolworth, Scott Resnick, and Troy Vosseller, who have successfully promoted an inclusive environment for diverse startups, including both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Participants in the Madworks Accelerator connect with a network of young entrepreneurs, investors, and advisors, thereby expanding their reach within the tech and social media industries. Through its initiatives, this organization exemplifies a commitment to supporting and scaling innovative ideas among emerging entrepreneurs.

StartingBlock Madison's Website

A prominent business accelerator dedicated to empowering early-stage companies in the aviation, aerospace, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industries, it focuses on assisting aero-innovators globally in bringing new technologies to market. The organization operates a comprehensive ten-week program, where in the first nine weeks, four to five startups collaborate virtually with mentors, staff, and industry professionals. This tailored approach enables effective acceleration of business development for participants. They gain access to extensive resources, including a curriculum developed by seasoned founders, customized support for go-to-market strategies, and opportunities to network with leading firms in the aerospace sector. Additional benefits include participation in a two-day Pitch Camp to refine pitches, exhibit space for showcasing technology, and access to over $1 million in discounts for various products and services. Noteworthy aspects of the program also include the chance for startups to pitch at the Pitch & Mingle event. This dynamic environment is instrumental for companies focused on innovations in aviation and aerospace.

AeroInnovate's Website

Doyenne Group is dedicated to supporting women in their entrepreneurial endeavors. One of their key programs, the Doyenne Investor Accelerator, is an 8-week initiative crafted to educate individuals on investing in startups. The accelerator aims to counter the gender gap in venture capital by increasing the involvement of women in startup investments. Shockingly, women hold less than 9% of all VC positions in the U.S., while 70% of VCs are White Males. In 2022, only 20% of VC funding went to startups led by diverse or all-female teams. The program, led by founders Amy Gannon and Heather Wentler, offers a blend of online learning, workshops, and events to equip participants with investment vocabulary, knowledge of different investment types, and tax implications. Throughout the 3 phases, participants delve into various topics such as evaluating investment opportunities, managing post-investment relationships, and understanding legal and tax considerations. Additionally, the accelerator fosters a sense of community and connects aspiring investors with experienced professionals to help them build their startup portfolios across diverse industries.

Doyenne Group's Website

The organization accelerates the growth of food and beverage businesses in Wisconsin, focusing on enhancing their capacity and capitalization for sustainable success. The FaBcap Accelerator, a nine-month program, selects ten emerging companies each year, all of which must be involved in food, beverage, ingredient, packaging, equipment manufacturing, or technology sectors, and demonstrate sales and ambitious growth plans. Participants benefit from personalized coaching, facilitated cohort meetings, and networking opportunities with industry experts and potential collaborators. Each selected company receives a $10,000 investment to support their growth, funded by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). These businesses also present their models to investors at the commencement event in June, further engaging with the investment community. The accelerator not only helps businesses grow but also provides equity-free resources, akin to having a large corporate partner without the cost of equity. Additionally, a Fellows Program is offered to support food-focused entrepreneurs nationwide in constructing investable business models. This collaborative network significantly contributes to the success of participating companies within the agriculture technology and food and beverage industries.

Food Finance Institute's Website

The Wisconsin FFI FaBcap Accelerator is a premier nine-month business and finance initiative dedicated to empowering the food and beverage sector in Wisconsin. It focuses on enhancing the capacity and capitalization of selected companies, ensuring their sustainable success. Each year, ten emerging businesses from various sectors, including food, beverage, ingredient, packaging, and technology, are chosen based on their demonstrated sales and growth ambitions. Participants benefit from personalized industry coaching, eight facilitated cohort meetings, and a kick-off event, culminating in an investor presentation at the June commencement event. Additionally, each organization receives $10,000 in financial support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Leadership includes Brad Rostowfske as Program Manager and Tera Johnson, the Founder of the Food Finance Institute, both of whom provide invaluable coaching. Testimonials from graduates like Mark Cottone of Clean Beam and Sascha Dhanjal of Saffi Foods underscore the program's impactful network and resources. The accelerator has evolved into a national Fellows Program, supporting 60 businesses across the U.S., thereby extending its influence and resources to food and farm entrepreneurs nationwide.

FaB Wisconsin's Website

gBETA is a free accelerator program under the Gener8tor network, designed to support early-stage startups in their growth journey. Each program cycle involves 5-10 startups that benefit from mentorship, resources, and assistance in refining their business models and products. Startups also get prepared for further investment opportunities through access to a network of investors, including angel investors and venture capitalists. The program duration spans seven weeks, during which participants engage in mentorship sessions, workshops, and networking events. gBETA accepts startups from various sectors, providing a broad approach to support a diverse range of entrepreneurial ventures. Selected startups receive free co-working space, mentorship from experienced professionals, opportunities to pitch to potential investors, and access to legal, financial, and marketing resources. By focusing on being sector-agnostic, gBETA creates a supportive community for entrepreneurs to thrive and succeed.

gBETA's Website

Young Enterprising Society is an international accelerator that aims to empower individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset in various industries such as tech and eCommerce. The program provides a less structured environment through small group interactions, fostering the growth of its members. The YES Blueprint, a bootcamp and seed accelerator, focuses on supporting early-stage companies in domains like Tech, eCommerce, and Manufacturing. Selected startups receive $100,000 in seed capital and access to additional perks including free coding classes in various programming languages. While specific numbers of associated startups and investors are undisclosed, the organization has a track record of funding early-stage companies to support their development. Notable features include an emphasis on progressive values and mobilization of resources for the benefit of society at large. Key individuals driving the organization's success include [Key People Name].

Young Enterprising Society's Website

Scale Up Milwaukee is an initiative that aims to transform the culture of growth in the Greater Milwaukee region. Founded a decade ago by the Greater Milwaukee Committee and now operating under TBC Milwaukee, its mission is to infuse growth into all aspects of community and economic development, promoting inclusive economic prosperity. The accelerator offers membership focusing on engaging with business owners and stakeholders, accelerator programs like SPARC for minority-owned businesses, and the Scale Up Milwaukee Accelerator for companies seeking advancement in various business areas. While specific metrics are unavailable, the accelerator concentrates on sales, marketing, finances, operations, and organizational development, indicating a holistic approach to business growth. Participants likely benefit from networking opportunities, expert guidance, and a supportive ecosystem. The organization's commitment to underrepresented groups such as Black, Hispanic, and woman-owned businesses underscores its dedication to fostering diversity in the entrepreneurial landscape of the region. Industries served by them are sector-agnostic.

Scale Up Milwaukee's Website