Jessica Silvaggi, President, UWM Research Foundation
Jessica shares what actually happens when a university invention needs to find its way to market. Spoiler: most of the time, the inventor becomes the entrepreneur by default because no one else is stepping up.
We dig into the funding programs that have generated $7.80 in follow-on investment for every dollar deployed, why Wisconsin investors tend to wait for traction, and what it would take to build a real pipeline of entrepreneurial talent ready to commercialize breakthrough research.
Episode Topics
How the UW Milwaukee Research Foundation commercializes university research
The Catalyst Grant's track record and $49M in follow-on funding
Why inventors typically become founders when no one else steps up
Wisconsin's conservative investor culture and the pre-seed funding gap
Building stronger founding teams through mentorship and fractional executives
The upcoming Panther Leap philanthropic venture fund
Startup spotlights: battery materials, FDA Phase 1 drugs, bio pesticides
How entrepreneurs can get involved with university technologies
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Upcoming Events
Filter these events by city and topic on our events page.
February Events
A Guide to Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec Kit February 4, 5:30 PM [Virtual] Explore Spec-Driven Development for AI Coding Agents. Michael Hoffman (nvisia) shares hands-on experiences with GitHub Spec Kit, covering challenges like over-specification, governance gaps & spec drift—plus where SDD works best.
Sip & Sync in Green Bay February 5, 8:00 AM [Green Bay] Join us for Sip & Sync - your casual networking meetup where meaningful connections happen over complimentary coffee. Drop in for relaxed conversations, share insights, or simply enjoy meeting fellow WiT members and friends in a laid-back atmosphere.
Women in Biohealth: Networking Happy Hour February 5, 5:00 PM [Madison] Whether you’re early in your career, deep into leadership, exploring a transition, or just looking to expand your circle, you’re welcome here. Come solo or bring a friend. Grab a drink, find a seat, and jump into conversation at your own pace.
February Code & Coffee February 7, 9:00 AM [Milwaukee] This gathering is designed to foster connections within our local tech community. Whether you are a seasoned professional, a hobbyist, or just getting your feet wet in the world of coding, there's a place for you here.
Building AI with a Conscience and Jobs mixer February 9, 6:00 PM [Madison] AI matchmaking month! Connect with jobs & talent in AI. Eric Moore presents CIRIS framework: ethical AI that explains decisions, recognizes uncertainty & escalates to humans. Live demo 6PM, networking 7PM.
MadJS Monthly Meetup: Roundtable Discussion February 9, 6:15 PM [Madison] Continuing with our happy hour format for a while. Just a handful of JS developers talking about what they're working on and what new frameworks and tools catch their interest.
MadJS Monthly Meetup: Roundtable Discussion February 9, 6:15 PM [Madison] Continuing with our happy hour format for a while. Just a handful of JS developers talking about what they're working on and what new frameworks and tools catch their interest.
Rules of Resilience: The Secret to Thriving No Matter What February 10, 12:00 PM [Virtual] Valorie Burton (Coaching & Positive Psychology Institute) shares the science of resilience: research-backed strategies to strengthen mindset, sustain emotional fitness & keep dreams moving forward—no matter what.
How to Pitch Your Business - Starting With Why February 11, 8:00 AM [Milwaukee] By the end of the session, you’ll feel comfortable designing a pitch, responding to objections, and delivering with authenticity - whether you're pitching to colleagues, your staff, or a potential client.
StartingBlock presents: Scaling Your Food Business February 11, 9:00 AM [Madison] Chris Brockel from FEED Kitchens shares how food entrepreneurs scale from kitchen table to retail shelves. FEED is Madison's 24/7 shared kitchen incubator with 5 production spaces—40+ businesses graduated in 12 years.
February Global AI Milwaukee User Group Meeting February 11, 5:15 PM [Milwaukee] Curt Gratz (Computer Know How) on Vector Databases: Learn what they are, when to use them (and when not to), how they power AI applications, and explore practical use cases through live examples. Networking & food included.
February Code + Brews February 11, 5:30 PM [Milwaukee] This gathering is designed to foster connections within our local tech community. Whether you are a seasoned professional, a hobbyist, or just getting your feet wet in the world of coding, there's a place for you here.
NMDSI Presents Elevating and Accelerating AI Excellence in Southeast Wisconsin February 12, 8:30 AM [Milwaukee] Join the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute (NMDSI) for an engaging discussion on how leading Southeast Wisconsin companies and academic institutions are shaping educational models and curricula to equip students and the workforce with essential skills.
MadPy Social: Leopold's February 12, 6:30 PM [Madison] The Madison Python meetup group is hosting a social gathering at Leopold's Cafe. We won't have a speaker or slides. Just friendly conversation. Whether you're an experienced software developer, someone interested to learn about the field, or just looking to meet new people, please join us!
Sip & Sync in Milwaukee - Galentine's edition! February 13, 8:30 AM [Milwaukee] Join us for Sip & Sync - your casual networking meetup where meaningful connections happen over complimentary coffee. Drop in for relaxed conversations, share insights, or simply enjoy meeting fellow WIT members and friends in a laid-back atmosphere.
Routine Redesign: Creating a Week that Works for Your Dreams February 16, 12:00 PM [Virtual] Jessica Eastman Steward (Joyfully Managed Life) helps you discover your unique planning style & redesign your weekly routine. Create personalized rituals to reclaim time for dreams with greater peace, productivity & purpose.
MAKE608 Open House February 16, 5:30 PM [Beloit] Come explore MAKE608, Jumpstart South Central Wisconsin’s (formerly Rock County Jumpstart) new community prototyping and design lab for entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives.
Madison's Geek Lunch February 17, 11:45 AM [Madison] If you've never been to a Geek Lunch, it's an engaging conversation with your geekiest friends, where the topic bounces around depending on whatever anyone wants to contribute. All are welcome regardless of where you lie on any imaginary geek scale. Think "The Algonquin Round Table" with an emphasis on tech.
Madison's Geek Lunch February 17, 11:45 AM [Madison] If you've never been to a Geek Lunch, it's an engaging conversation with your geekiest friends, where the topic bounces around depending on whatever anyone wants to contribute. All are welcome regardless of where you lie on any imaginary geek scale. Think "The Algonquin Round Table" with an emphasis on tech.
FOUNDER/FEST February 17, 6:00 PM [Milwaukee] Relaxed gathering for Midwest startup founders. Real conversations, no pitches. Just honest stories & connections with fellow builders. Food, drinks & speakers from Strudelbots, Shark Crates, Vytal Health & Accelity Marketing.
The Future Role of the CIO: A Panel Discussion February 18, 7:30 AM [Madison] Local CIOs discuss how the role evolved from IT leader to business strategist. Hear stories on enterprise strategy, transformation & growth, plus insights on AI, automation & C-suite partnering. Practical takeaways for aspiring leaders & technologists.
AI in Motion Pt 2: Unlocking AI Innovation February 18, 7:30 AM [Kenosha] Explore how AI is reshaping southeastern Wisconsin. Panel with Microsoft, AT&T & local leaders on practical applications. Interactive workshops on AI tools & strategies. Network with entrepreneurs & innovators driving regional tech growth.
Sip & Sync in Appleton February 18, 8:30 AM [Appleton] Join us for Sip & Sync - your casual networking meetup where meaningful connections happen over complimentary coffee. Drop in for relaxed conversations, share insights, or simply enjoy meeting fellow WiT members and friends in a laid-back atmosphere.
StartingBlock presents: Her Network and Brienne Hennessy February 18, 9:00 AM [Madison] Happening every 3rd Wednesday of the month, our mission is to equip women in business with resources, community, and learning opportunities to further their personal and professional development.
From Ideas to Product: Where to start, who to ask, how to de-risk February 18, 11:30 AM [Virtual] You have an idea, you may have started the initial research on it, and now you're trying to see what's next? Join us virtually to learn more about lean startup mechanics, the SBIR/STTR program, and the services that are provided by the CTC.
Blazing Trails & Breaking Barriers: Living Limitless Dreams February 18, 12:00 PM [Virtual] Celebrate Black History Month with Dr. Moogega Cooper, NASA's "Guardian of the Galaxy." Hear stories & leadership lessons from this trailblazing engineer who protects Mars from contaminants. Virtual inspiration for all dreamers.
SaaS Club: Manufacturing + Frontline Innovation Showcase February 24, 3:00 PM [Milwaukee] This installment spotlights innovative startups reimagining manufacturing operations and frontline work, from AI-enabled connected worker tools and real-time guidance platforms to predictive maintenance and frontline workforce optimization.
SaaS Club: Manufacturing + Frontline Innovation Showcase February 24, 3:00 PM [Milwaukee] The SaaS Club, a flagship program of the Midwest Founders Community, brings together B2B SaaS founders and corporate technology leaders to spark collaboration, pilot engagements, and real-world problem solving in emerging technology domains.
Sip & Sync in Verona February 25, 8:00 AM [Madison] Join us for Sip & Sync - your casual networking meetup where meaningful connections happen over complimentary coffee. Drop in for relaxed conversations, share insights, or simply enjoy meeting fellow WIT members and friends in a laid-back atmosphere.
Founders Day February 25, 9:00 AM [Milwaukee] Milwaukee Startup Founders – Founders Day was designed for YOU! We know the entrepreneurial journey can be tough, so we’re hosting a full day of free coworking, mentorship, networking, and more.
All My Xs: The Experiences That Shape Technology February 25, 11:15 AM [Appleton] ll My Xs is a February fireside-style panel discussion that explores the many "experiences" shaping how technology is built. From Developer Experience (DX) and User Experience (UX) to Customer Experience (CX) and beyond.
Confident Communication February 25, 12:00 PM [Virtual] Matt Abrahams (Stanford lecturer, Think Fast Talk Smart host) shares techniques for speaking off the cuff with confidence. Learn to manage anxiety, develop ideas under pressure & communicate effectively at a moment's notice.
UWM Research Foundation: Smarter Scaling: How Fractional C-Suite Leaders Accelerate Startups February 26, 12:00 PM [Milwaukee] Join us for a panel discussion with local fractional leaders—experienced executives who work with startups on a part‑time or project basis—helping early‑stage companies access high‑level expertise. Discover how they strengthen operations, guide early growth, and enable more strategic scaling.
Lunch & Learn: SEO as a Go-To-Market Strategy February 26, 12:00 PM [Madison] This session breaks down three case studies from marketing teams who used SEO and thought leadership-driven digital content to support their growth. We’ll talk about the conditions that made SEO a good GTM strategy for them and break down their tactics to help leaders of growing B2B SaaS, B2B service, or B2C SaaS businesses.
Founder Supper Club February 26, 6:00 PM [Milwaukee] The Midwest Founders Community Founder Supper Club is a small, curated dinner series designed for founders who want real conversation, not a pitch deck.
THAT AI Code Jam February 28, 10:00 AM [Madison] Join us for a day of augmented development and prompt engineering. Whether you are looking to accelerate a side project, learn the nuances of LLMs, or just see how fast you can break an agent, this is your space. This is a 5-hour collaborative working session designed to get you out of "tutorial hell" and into building mode with the help of AI.
March Events
The Power of Rest: Protecting Your Dreams from Burnout March 4, 12:00 PM [Virtual] Keonna Knight (burnout coach) shares the transformative power of rest. Learn to identify burnout triggers, set boundaries & incorporate restful habits for sustainable dream pursuit. From burned out teacher to thriving CEO.
Amplify Her Impact March 4, 4:30 PM [Milwaukee] Annual celebration of women in tech. Inspiring keynote, cross-industry networking & community building. Connect at any career stage, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives & momentum for your impact in tech.
Sip & Sync in Green Bay March 5, 8:00 AM [Green Bay] Join us for Sip & Sync - your casual networking meetup where meaningful connections happen over complimentary coffee. Drop in for relaxed conversations, share insights, or simply enjoy meeting fellow WiT members and friends in a laid-back atmosphere.
Crafting a Compelling Pitch March 5, 12:00 PM [Virtual] Tami Reiss (leadership speaker) on personal pitching: communicate with authenticity & influence. Learn to craft messages, understand audiences & drive buy-in for your ideas, proposals or business.
March Code & Coffee March 7, 9:00 AM [Milwaukee] This gathering is designed to foster connections within our local tech community. Whether you are a seasoned professional, a hobbyist, or just getting your feet wet in the world of coding, there's a place for you here.
March Code & Coffee March 7, 9:00 AM [Milwaukee] This gathering is designed to foster connections within our local tech community. Whether you are a seasoned professional, a hobbyist, or just getting your feet wet in the world of coding, there's a place for you here.
MadJS Monthly Meetup: Roundtable Discussion March 9, 6:15 PM [Madison] Continuing with our happy hour format for a while. Just a handful of JS developers talking about what they're working on and what new frameworks and tools catch their interest.
Entrepreneur’s Edge: Transforming Data into Growth March 10, 12:00 PM [Virtual] Ben Udell shows how to turn everyday data into business growth. Overcome common challenges, create visual stories & use AI tools for faster insights. Hands-on strategies for data-driven decisions at any level.
Sip & Sync in Kenosha March 13, 8:30 AM [Kenosha] Join us for Sip & Sync - your casual networking meetup where meaningful connections happen over complimentary coffee. Drop in for relaxed conversations, share insights, or simply enjoy meeting fellow WIT members and friends in a laid-back atmosphere.
Chippewa Valley Code Camp 2026 March 14, 9:00 AM [Chippewa Valley] Our 15th annual conference, bringing together the area's brightest minds in software development to celebrate our shared passion. A day full of presentations meant for students, professionals, and hobbyists alike who want to learn, network, and be inspired to do cool things in IT.
Madison's Geek Lunch March 17, 11:45 AM [Madison] If you've never been to a Geek Lunch, it's an engaging conversation with your geekiest friends, where the topic bounces around depending on whatever anyone wants to contribute. All are welcome regardless of where you lie on any imaginary geek scale. Think "The Algonquin Round Table" with an emphasis on tech.
Sip & Sync in Madison March 18, 8:00 AM [Madison] Join us for Sip & Sync - your casual networking meetup where meaningful connections happen over complimentary coffee. Drop in for relaxed conversations, share insights, or simply enjoy meeting fellow WIT members and friends in a laid-back atmosphere.
Sip & Sync in Appleton March 18, 8:30 AM [Appleton] Join us for Sip & Sync - your casual networking meetup where meaningful connections happen over complimentary coffee. Drop in for relaxed conversations, share insights, or simply enjoy meeting fellow WiT members and friends in a laid-back atmosphere.
Founders Day March 25, 9:00 AM [Milwaukee] Milwaukee Startup Founders – Founders Day was designed for YOU! We know the entrepreneurial journey can be tough, so we’re hosting a full day of free coworking, mentorship, networking, and more.
gBETA is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots. Each program is capped at five teams, and requires no fees and no equity.
The Northwestern Mutual Accelerator™ Powered by gener8tor invests in five high-growth startups per cohort, focusing on those innovating in financial products, client experience, digital health, or transformational technologies. Selected teams will receive a $100,000 investment directly into the current round (if raising) or uncapped convertible bridge note to be converted into the next round (if not currently raising).
StartingBlock's Level Set program is an intense 6 week program designed to help you build and validate a business model. Offered 6x per year, we help you explore the pros and cons of different business models, model revenue and get real world feedback on your ideas.
Leap Year is for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to take a year to focus on building something real. Whether you're taking a break before starting college, exploring what's next after earning a technical degree, or just not ready to commit to a traditional path, this program gives you the space, resources, and community to turn your ideas into action.
FOR-M is your first step to creating a tech startup company in Milwaukee. Solidify the startup idea that’s been bouncing around in your head and understand your next steps. This program is limited to 25 founders and will begin accepting folks immediately…so apply soon!
gener8tor Madison invests in six high-growth startups per cohort. This is an industry-agnostic and business model-agnostic program. We accept ALL types of startups across ALL industries and business models.
Wisconsin Tech News
Wisconsin VC Firm Closes on $31.5M Fund The Idea Fund of La Crosse aims to invest the money in startups based in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Heres why.
Wisconsin Startup News 2025: Year in Review Wisconsin Startup News 2025: Year in Review. Funding low, but AI, manufacturing, and strong founders drive the local ecosystem.
Opponents sue to block Port Washington incentives for $15B data center Opponents of a $15 billion data center campus planned in Port Washington for Oracle and OpenAI seek a court order to void a tax incremental district that would help fund improvements to city infrastructure around the site. A group called Great Lakes Neighbors Inc. filed a lawsuit Jan. 2 in Ozaukee County Circuit Court against the city of Port Washington and the city’s Joint Review Board.
Midwest funding for Q4 2025 Midwest startup funding fell sharply in Q4 2025 despite a national recovery. Our analysis of QonQ and YoY trends across six states looks at why.
The Secret VC: Stop Asking Who Else Is In?” The Secret VC reveals why chasing social proof isn't diligence, its outsourcing conviction. Giving a clean yes or no is what founders need.
Panther Partner Spotlight: How Kyle Jansson & the UWM Prototyping Center Turn Ideas Into Impact Discover how Kyle Jansson and the UWM Prototyping Center help founders, clinicians, and researchers turn early‑stage ideas into real‑world solutions. From customer discovery to manufacturable prototypes, the Center accelerates innovation across Milwaukee’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
FAR Biotech Moves to Madison - Startup and Tech News FAR Biotech, a computational drug discovery company using proprietary quantum modeling and deep learning AI to tackle high-impact diseases with significant.
WI Investor activity in 2025 Wisconsin’s startup ecosystem relies on a mix of local and national capital. Many in the ecosystem believe that founders must appeal to the coast to find capital. While the coasts have many more venture capital firms, Wisconsin does have active firms investing in emerging businesses.
Episode 13 now available! Ep 13 - Ben Camp, CEO & Co-Founder, Recovery.com How This Website is Helping Solve the Mental Health Crisis Ben saw people in crisis turning to the internet for help, and finding websites taking advantage of them. So he built something better. But he didn't start in the US. Ben and his co-founder launched Recovery.com's first product in India, used revenue-based financing to avoid dilution, built their entire leadership team from a Madison coworking space, and raised...
Episode 12 now available! Ep 12 - Jessica Silvaggi, President, UWM Research Foundation Turning UW Milwaukee Research Into Startups Jessica Silvaggi's path to leading the UW Milwaukee Research Foundation wasn't exactly linear. Molecular biology degree → Harvard PhD in bacterial genetics → postdoc researching Parkinson's disease → 16 years in tech transfer. That scientific curiosity now drives her work helping university researchers turn ideas into real-world products and companies. In this...
Startup Wisconsin is organized by Headway, a digital product agency based in Green Bay, WI. Powered by our state sponsors, Nicolet National Bank and gener8tor. Hey folks! We're pretty excited about 2026. Startup Wisconsin Team: Andrew Verboncouer & Jacob Miller We took a short little break over the holidays and now we are back in action over here. Apologies for the delay on getting events updated for January. We can't wait to share some of the things we are planning and the amazing people...