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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.
Upcoming Events
Filter these events by city and topic on our events page.
June
Design, Drinks, and Discussion! Bike Week Edition
June 3, 7:00 PM [Madison]
We'll hang out and trade war stories, what we love about design, and where we see things headed. Our group has a nice mix of experienced designers, people who are new to the career, and folks just breaking in. It's a supportive community of helpful folks.
2025 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference (June 4-5)
June 4, 8:00 AM [Madison]
The 2025 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference (June 4–5) features a keynote, Governor’s Business Plan Contest, panels on startups and innovation, networking events, and the “Seize the Day” Award. Hosted by the Wisconsin Technology Council at Monona Terrace, Madison.
StartingBlock Lunch & Learn: Tactical Skills Series, Phil Ouellette
June 5, 12:00 PM [Madison]
Phil Ouellette works with entrepreneurial leadership teams to align on their vision, drive traction toward that vision through increased focus and accountability and develop a cohesive, healthy and high-functioning group of leaders by implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS) into their organization.
Madworks 2025 Cohort: Madworks Accelerator Showcase
June 5, 4:00 PM [Madison]
Learn about the 8 companies and celebrate the hard work the founders have put in over the last 12 weeks of the program. The event will include presentations by each company, light appetizers, and networking.
Transparent AI for Detecting Atrial Fibrillation in Electrocardiograms
June 6, 10:00 AM [Virtual]
Hear from Dr. Jake Luo, director of Health Care Informatics Graduate Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an NMDSI-affiliated faculty member, about how AI is revolutionizing patient care by enhancing diagnostic accuracy and transparency.
Know Your Worth: Pay Transparency & Negotiation in Tech
June 6, 12:00 PM [Virtual]
Join us for an insightful discussion on pay transparency and salary negotiation, designed to help women in tech confidently advocate for their worth. Learn strategies to navigate salary conversations, close the wage gap, and take control of your career and compensation.
June Code and Coffee
June 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
June 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.
Grassr00tz Cybersecurity Conference
June 10, 7:30 AM [Appleton]
Join us at Grassr00tz Cybersecurity Conference for a day of hacking, networking, and learning all things cyber!
Show & Tell: How a Local Manufacturer is using AI Today
June 10, 5:00 PM [Milwaukee]
Join us for a compelling session with Steve Baumgartner, CIO of Inpro Corporation, as he delves into the company’s transformative journey with Artificial Intelligence. Steve will share how Inpro identified opportunities for AI integration, the challenges they faced during implementation, and the impactful results they’ve achieved so far.
Inside the Accelerator, USV Founders Panel
June 11, 3:30 PM [Appleton]
Join us for a panel discussion with the U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator cohort followed by an open Q&A where you can ask anything—what it's like to be in an accelerator, what it's really like to raise venture capital, or what it's like to launch and grow a startup from scratch.
June Code + Brews
June 11, 5:00 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.
Debugging Open Source
June 12, 6:30 PM [Madison]
Using open source libraries and tools can make software development easier, but one simple update can quickly derail your workflow. In this talk Dave Hoese will step through the process of fixing a bug in an open source Python tool.
Sip & Sync in Milwaukee (June)
June 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.
StartingBlock: HER Network
June 13, 9:00 AM [Madison]
StartingBlock features a monthly event series focused on building courageous connections among Madison Women in Business.
Madison's Geek Lunch
June 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.
StartingBlock's Lunch with a Founder - featuring Quentin Philippe
June 17, 12:00 PM [Madison]
These part educational, part networking events are the perfect way to meet other founders in the region, learn from other people's entrepreneurial journeys, and get plugged in to the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Wisconsin. Quentin Philippe serves as Chief Executive Officer & Board Member at Alithic.
SOCIAL: Get-together at Grape Water wine bar in Middleton
June 17, 5:30 PM [Madison]
Come out and hang with awesome people who work in Madison's tech scene! Grape Water is a woman-owned wine bar (with various N/A options, beer and cocktails, too). Let's get together and make new connections!
Sip & Sync in Appleton (June)
June 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.
2025 BREW Showcase
June 19, 4:30 PM [Milwaukee]
This is an updated version of our annual Demo Day, where you can learn about the Water Technology innovators in our BREW 2.0 Post-Accelerator, with shorter pitches and more audience interaction.
Sip & Sync Happy Hour in Middleton (June)
June 19, 4:30 PM [Madison]
Join us for Sip & Sync - your casual networking meetup where meaningful connections happen over complimentary wine or coffee. Drop in for relaxed conversations, share insights, or simply enjoy meeting fellow WiT members and friends in a laid-back atmosphere.
Summerfest Tech 2025 - Day 1
June 23, 4:00 PM [Milwaukee]
Join us for opening day’s event! Start the day with our inaugural Summerfest TechAI Invitational golf outing, and end the day at our opening keynote and happy hour at 3rd Street Market Hall.
Summerfest Tech 2025 - Day 2
June 24, 8:00 AM [Milwaukee]
Create your agenda for Summerfest TechAI! Programming on this day includes keynotes, Healthcare & Biohealth Track, Energy & Sustainability Track, programming for founders, and tech ed courses.
ONLINE Panel: UX in the AI Era
June 24, 12:00 PM [Virtual]
Madison Women in Tech is hosting a panel discussion about UX (User Experience) in this AI (Artificial Intelligence) era. If you’re curious about how to design intuitive, ethical and human-centered experience in this AI age, we'd love to have you join this free event.
Summerfest Tech 2025 - Day 3
June 25, 8:30 AM [Milwaukee]
Create your agenda for Summerfest TechAI! Programming on this day includes keynotes, Advanced Manufacturing Track, Fin & InsurTech Track, Pitch Competition, programming for founders, and tech ed courses.
Code & Canvas: A Women in Tech Season Finale
June 25, 4:30 PM [Appleton]
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, celebrate, and create at Code & Canvas. Whether you’re a seasoned tech professional or new to Women in Tech, this event provides a unique space to network and be inspired.
Summerfest Tech 2025 - Day 4
June 26, 12:00 PM [Milwaukee]
ll Summerfest Tech attendees will receive FREE entrance to a networking luncheon on-site at Summerfest on Thursday, June 26, plus FREE admission to the music festival’s second weekend June 26-28, 2025 with their badge*.
July
Sip & Sync in Kenosha (July) - happy hour edition!
July 11, 4:30 PM [Kenosha]
Join us for Sip & Sync (Happy Hour edition!) - 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.
MadJS Monthly Meetup: Roundtable Discussion
July 14, 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.
Madison's Geek Lunch
July 15, 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.
Women in Biohealth Happy Hour
July 24, 5:00 PM [Madison]
Join us for a Summer Happy Hour Networking Event at Delta Beer Lab. Connect with fellow professionals in a relaxed, casual setting. Food and beverages will be available for purchase—come ready to mingle, sip, and enjoy the summer vibes!
Founders Day - July 2025
July 30, 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.
Startup Accelerator Programs & Pitch Contests
Leapyear by StartingBlock
Application Deadline: June 15th, 2025
Leap Year is for aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to go beyond the classroom and turn their ideas into real ventures. Over the course of a year, participants will identify real-world problems, develop solutions, and launch their own businesses—all with the support of expert mentors, a dedicated founder community, and 24/7 workspace at StartingBlock.
Level Set by StartingBlock
Enrollment for Winter, Spring, and Fall 2025 Cohorts Available!
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.
FOR-M Spring 2025 Incubator by MKE Tech
Application Deadline: TBD, Apply Now
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!
gBETA Milwaukee 2025
Application Deadline: TBD (Rolling Applications)
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.
Ignite Startup Accelerator
Application Deadline: TBD (Applications Now Open)
The Ignite Startup Accelerator is an 11-month collaborative startup accelerator to assist founders and entrepreneurs in commercializing their new venture. Ignite’s goal is to provide passionate entrepreneurs who have a strong business idea and have completed customer discovery, with the tools, resources, and connections to accelerate the commercialization of their ventures and get to revenue growth.
Wisconsin Tech News
Dai.vur.jnt Wins 2025 Madison College Challenge - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
A company with an app called SpectrumScan to help people with autism manage their exposure to light and sound won the 13th annual Madison College Challenge
Ballast Equity raises $93m for debut VC secondaries fund
Ballast Equity Partners Fund I was anchored by the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board and the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, which each committed $30 million.
EnsoData Adds New Monitoring Offering - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
EnsoData launched a new remote physiological monitoring (RPM) offering to the EnsoSleep PPG ecosystem of AI tools, the company announced recently.
US Army Corps of Engineers expects to issue decision on Enbridge's Line 5 tunnel this fall
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Friday that it will issue a decision this fall on a Canadian energy firm’s plan to build a $750 million tunnel for its Line 5 pipeline on the bottom of the Great Lakes.
Building what others won’t: Meet INNOFAB - mkestartup.news
INNOFAB, the Milwaukee company with the motto, "We’ll cut, bend, and build what others won’t."
Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator Selects Five Breakthrough Startups to Address Critical Water Challenges — gener8tor
$500,000 in grant funding awarded to technologies driving economic growth and technological advancement in the Great Lakes CHICAGO, Ill. - The gener8tor Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator today announced its newest cohort of water technology startups, selected to receive $100,000...
Forward Festival Taking Submissions for 2025 - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
Forward Festival is accepting submissions for event ideas until Wednesday, May 21, organizers announced recently.
A second look at Q1 VC funding - mkestartup.news
According to PitchBook data, Wisconsin companies raised $33.76 million in disclosed funding in the first quarter of 2025.
Fetch Launches Rewards for Local Dining - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
Fetch announced today that consumers can now earn rewards for supporting their favorite local restaurants.
LyraVet eases veterinary burnout with AI - mkestartup.news
Fitchburg-based LyraVet, cofounded by veterinarian Dr. Zach Meyers and data scientist Nic Herfel is an SaaS that serves the veterinary industry.
SHINE to Acquire Lantheus Portfolio - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
SHINE Technologies has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the SPECT business from Lantheus, a radiopharmaceutical-focused company, the company
With UW-Madison roots, Google office in Wisconsin works on data centers, chips for AI
The small Midwest office, founded almost 20 years ago by computer scientists from UW-Madison, helps power technology used across the globe.
Realta Fusion raises $36M, targeting mid-2030s for commercial fusion energy | WisBusiness
“For some, that may sound like a long way away, but I think in the world of energy that we operate in, that’s actually a pretty normal project timeline … so that’s what we’re targeting,” CEO Kieran Furlong said in a recent interview.
TNT Creative Gaming builds momentum - mkestartup.news
TNT Creative, founded by twins Ben and John Teich in 2023, launched their debut board game Mythic Gems.
Realta Fusion Raises $36 Million Series A - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
Realta Fusion raised a $36 million Series A round to bring its fusion technology closer to commercialization, the company announced today.
Finalists named in 2025 WI Governor’s Business Plan Contest - mkestartup.news
Finalists named in 2025 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.
Local leaders see data centers as revenue boon, but critics say subsidy programs undermine those efforts
State and local officials see data centers as an opportunity to increase their tax base through billions of dollars in private investment. Critics argue the big tech companies behind those projects are set to receive millions in handouts from taxpayers.
Port Washington residents near proposed data center warn of climate, environmental and technology risks
Residents have criticized the proposal and the burgeoning data center development industry it's an emblem of, warning of climate and AI risks.
Epic Systems faces federal lawsuit alleging unfair competition practices
The suit points in particular to Epic's alleged "Epic-first Policy" for software add-ons to its popular electronic health records system.
Invenra Launches New Antibody Platform - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
Invenra has launched its T-Body™ trispecific antibody platform, a next-generation technology designed to direct correct chain pairing and afford high...
Microsoft built 5 data center campuses in this Iowa city. Here's what Wisconsin can expect.
The multibillion-dollar software company now owns over 600 acres in West Des Moines. What can Wisconsin communities learn from how data centers affected an Iowa city?
WEC Energy explores launch of new nuclear reactors in Wisconsin - Milwaukee Business Journal
We Energies parent company is exploring adding new nuclear power reactors at the site of the shuttered nuclear plant in Kewaunee. Here's when operations could start.
New office, cohort for Appleton’s start-up ecosystem - The Business News
gener8tor – a global venture capital firm – and U.S. Venture have announced the 2025 cohort of U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator.
BW Converting showcases sustainable finishing innovations at Techtextil North America - The Business News
BW Converting partnered with Fi-Tech, Inc. at Techtextil North America to demonstrate its TexCoat™ G4 precision spray finishing system.
Wisconsin VC funding for April 2025 - mkestartup.news
According to PitchBook, Wisconsin startups raised at least $7.6 million in disclosed startup funding in April.
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation launches new essay series on Wisconsin ingenuity
WARF is proud to introduce a new series of essays that highlight the profound impact of university innovation on the well-being of Wisconsin, the nation and the world. This series, “How Wisconsin Ingenuity Benefits the World,” marks WARF’s 100 years of advancing research and fostering collaboration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Northwestern Mutual AcceleratorPowered by gener8tor Adds Five New Startups — gener8tor
Five new, fast-growing startup companies from across the country have each been selected to participate in the Northwestern Mutual Accelerator powered by gener8tor. The five selected startups provide a wide range of inclusive and innovative solutions in fintech, insurtech, data analytics, and heal.
Racine manufacturer to invest $38M in chiller manufacturing, add 450 jobs - Milwaukee Business Journal
Racine-based Modine Manufacturing said it will invest over $38 million expanding its capacity for data-center chillers, creating over 450 jobs
Startup incubator Forward Biolabs expanding to Milwaukee - Milwaukee Business Journal
It is piloting a biohealth startup hub as part of the expansion.
Forward BIOLABS to Expand, Launch New Program - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
Forward BIOLABS is expanding to Milwaukee to further strengthen Wisconsin's biohealth ecosystem for young companies, the organization announced recently.
EnsoData, Advanced Brain Monitoring to Partner - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
EnsoData is partnering with Advanced Brain Monitoring (ABM) to add position data captured by ABM's Night Shift sleep positioner into the EnsoSleep PPG home
Port Washington annexes, zones land for data center
Port Washington is one step closer to bringing a 1,900-acre data center campus to the city. The common council has voted to annex about one-third of that land, and zoned it as a "Technology Campus District."
We Energies gas plants approved by Wisconsin PSC despite strong objections
We Energies gas plants plan approved by Wisconsin PSC despite environmental and cost objections.
UW-Madison computer science prepares to relocate, meet ‘AI moment’
Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau leads the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences, which is growing and moving into a new building on University Avenue.
Recovery.com Acquires RedFox AI - Startup and Tech News - Madison Startups
Recovery.com has acquired RedFox AI, reinforcing its commitment to responsible AI innovation and setting the stage for the development of new AI-powered tools.
AI as a courtroom interpreter? Bill could make Wisconsin the first
Backers say artificial intelligence can solve the problem of too few courtroom interpreters, but critics say it’s too risky with someone's fate on the line.
Insuraviews uses AI to simplify insurance filings - mkestartup.news
Milwaukee-based Insuraviews was founded in 2024 by Makhonjwa Mashoba and led by CEO Nick Amundsen.
Racine manufacturer investing $38M to address 'bottleneck', adds 450 jobs - Milwaukee Business Journal
With demand for its products soaring, here's how a Racine manufacturer is planning ahead.
Have questions?
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jacob@startupwi.org
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