The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

Capital Midwest Fund is a venture capital firm based in Mequon, Wisconsin. It specializes in early-stage investments across various sectors including life sciences, information technology, advanced manufacturing, B2B, and healthcare, with a focus on companies located in the Midwest region of the United States.

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency in the United States that funds and supports research and education in science and engineering. It funds fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and administers non-dilutive funding programs to aid early‑stage technology development, helping translate discoveries into commercially viable products and services. Through grants and fellowships, the NSF supports researchers, educators, and startups, contributing to innovation and U.S. competitiveness. The agency operates with a substantial budget to advance science, engineering, and STEM education nationwide.

Gener8tor is a national accelerator and growth platform headquartered in Milwaukee that supports startups through mentorship-driven programs and selective capital. It runs accelerator programs that provide $100,000 in funding and 12 weeks of mentorship, spanning diverse sectors such as software, IT, web, SaaS, life sciences, MedTech, e-commerce, and hardware. The organization leverages a network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors, and venture capitalists to help portfolio companies scale. Gener8tor is a member of the Global Accelerator Network and operates programs in multiple markets, including Oklahoma City, to connect high-growth startups with coaching, career support, and broad industry networks.

Venture Investors is a Midwest-based venture capital firm that funds seed, early, and growth-stage startups and provides incubation financing. It concentrates on university technology transfer opportunities, particularly in the Midwest, and invests across healthcare, life sciences, agriculture, technology, clean tech, materials, energy, and hardware, including software and digital health. The firm backs companies licensed to research universities, including institutions such as the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and seeks opportunities with significant market potential and solid fundamentals. Seed investments typically range from 0.25 million to 2.5 million, with larger follow-ons possible, and the firm aims to lead rounds while also co-investing. It favors preferred equity and/or debt with warrant coverage and pursues exits through initial public offerings or sales after about five to seven years. Established in 1982, Venture Investors is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, with additional offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Established in 2002, Golden Angels Investors is an angel investment group based in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Its members, with a track record of business success, invest directly or participate in opportunities led by other investors to assist entrepreneurs in building great companies, primarily focusing on health tech, ed-tech, and B2B services.

Founded in 1925, WARF is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting University of Wisconsin-Madison research. It protects and licenses discoveries from UW-Madison researchers to commercial partners, contributing to real-world benefits. Notable innovations include vitamin D therapies, anticoagulant Coumadin®, medical imaging systems, and human embryonic stem cell patents.

Founded in 2013, WISC Partners is a venture capital firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. It invests in technology-enabled services, industrial technology, agricultural technology, healthcare innovation, and technology sectors with the goal of building wealth by supporting entrepreneurs who can create great companies that solve significant customer problems.

Founded in 2019, TitletownTech is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It invests in bold entrepreneurs solving meaningful problems across six verticals: sports, media & entertainment; digital health; agriculture, water & environment; manufacturing & construction; supply chain & logistics; and cross-industry technology, with a focus on the Midwest.

Founded in 2006, New Capital Fund is a venture capital firm based in Little Chute, Wisconsin. It focuses on investing in seed-stage to growth-stage companies across various sectors including business products/services, materials/resources, healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and TMT.

The State of Wisconsin Investment Board is a state agency established in 1951, responsible for investing the assets of the Wisconsin Retirement System, the State Investment Fund, and other smaller trust funds. It manages a diversified portfolio across public equities, fixed income, inflation-sensitive investments, real estate, private equity/debt, multi-asset classes, and cash. The board's professional staff and external money managers make investment decisions based on extensive research and risk assessments, acting as fiduciaries for the benefit of the members of the Wisconsin Retirement System.

Founded in 2013, CSA Partners is a venture capital firm based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It specializes in early-stage and high-growth investments, primarily focusing on companies in the Midwest region.

Rock River Capital Partners is a Midwest-based venture capital firm based in Madison, Wisconsin, that funds early-stage and growth companies across sectors, with a focus on technology-driven businesses such as software. It seeks ventures with initial product-market fit and strong growth potential, and often emphasizes disruptive innovations. The firm aims to be the lead investor and regularly takes a board seat to add value while keeping deal terms straightforward and founder-friendly. It reserves capital for follow-on investments to support portfolio companies through subsequent rounds and collaborates with other large Midwest venture investors to help portfolio companies reach the next level of funding. The emphasis is on hands-on partnership with entrepreneurs to align objectives and accelerate scale.

Venture Management is a venture capital firm based in Madison, Wisconsin, founded in 1994. It focuses on seed-stage and startup investments in Wisconsin, targeting technology and healthcare companies.

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company is a U.S. financial services mutual organization headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It provides life, disability income, and long-term care insurance, as well as annuities and education funding plans, alongside investment products and wealth management services. The company emphasizes holistic financial planning delivered by a network of financial professionals and offers advisory and fiduciary planning through its investment and wealth management operations. It serves individuals and businesses with retirement, estate, and business planning, asset protection, and education planning, aiming to support clients in achieving long-term financial security. With a history dating to the 19th century, it maintains a long-standing presence in the financial planning landscape.

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development helps reimbursement of occupational training fees.

Cream City Venture Capital is a Milwaukee-based investment firm committed to fostering business growth in Southeastern Wisconsin. With a strong connection to the region, the firm focuses on supporting innovative startups and entrepreneurs, aiming to revitalize local neighborhoods and enhance the community's economic landscape. By leveraging its extensive network and resources, Cream City Venture Capital seeks to drive positive change and create opportunities for sustainable development in the area. The firm embodies a commitment to the region's long-term growth, ensuring that Milwaukee continues to be an attractive place for talent and investment.

Founded in 2015, HealthX Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. It focuses on investing in early-stage digital healthcare companies that aim to make healthcare safer, more efficient, and affordable through innovative, scalable solutions.

Founded in 2014, 4490 Ventures is a Madison-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments. It primarily invests in technology companies across sectors such as web3-enabled enterprise software, health tech, IoT, and SaaS, with a focus on the Midwest region.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) leads initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. It aims to expand markets for agricultural products globally, foster alternative markets domestically, improve rural infrastructure, enhance food safety, promote nutrition education, and manage public lands collaboratively.

Wisconsin Super Angel Fund LP is a venture capital firm based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specializing in early-stage and startup investments. Founded in 2013, the firm is industry agnostic and focuses on companies based in Wisconsin, aiming to identify and capitalize on early exit opportunities. It typically invests between $0.25 million and $1 million in companies with pre-money valuations under $5 million, with a goal of exiting within three to five years of the initial investment. Additionally, the fund prefers to take two board seats in its portfolio companies, providing active mentorship and support to help them grow.

Bootstrap Capital, LLC is a private equity firm established in 2019 and headquartered in Centennial, Colorado. The firm specializes in acquiring and operating small business services and distribution companies, focusing on those at a stage where they can benefit from new leadership. Bootstrap Capital primarily targets mature and growth-stage companies, preferring control ownership in its investments. The firm concentrates on sectors such as business services, distribution, and light manufacturing, aiming for defensible market positions with measurable differentiation. It seeks investment opportunities in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Colorado, with a preference for companies generating EBITDA between $0.75 million and $1.5 million. Bootstrap Capital honors the achievements of bootstrapping entrepreneurs and aims to sustain their legacies.

Founded in 2016, Winnebago Seed Fund is a venture capital firm based in Neenah, Wisconsin. It focuses on seed investments in startup companies primarily in the Fox Valley region and secondarily across Wisconsin. The fund aims to generate investor returns by partnering with talented entrepreneurs to accelerate business growth.

Idea Fund of La Crosse is a venture capital firm established in 2016 and located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage companies across a diverse array of sectors, including information technology, health information technology, data analytics, supply chain, agriculture, manufacturing, and financial services. By targeting a wide range of industries, the firm aims to support innovative businesses that have the potential for significant growth and impact.

Exact Sciences is a leading molecular diagnostics company specializing in colorectal cancer detection. It offers Cologuard, a non-invasive stool-based DNA screening test, which is recommended by major healthcare guidelines. The company also provides Oncotype DX, a suite of tissue-based genomic tests for breast and colon cancers.

Ansay & Associates is an insurance brokerage and advisory firm that serves over 5,000 clients, including businesses, non-profits, and governmental entities in Wisconsin and the Midwest. The company specializes in delivering a range of commercial and personal insurance solutions, focusing on customized coverage plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Their services include industrial and personal risk assessments, automotive insurance, and specialty coverage. Ansay & Associates is dedicated to providing effective and cost-efficient insurance and risk management solutions, ensuring that clients are comprehensively protected against various risks.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is the state's economic development agency, headquartered in Madison. It collaborates with more than 600 statewide partners—including regional economic development organizations, academic institutions, and industry groups—to enhance Wisconsin communities, support business development, advance industry innovation, access global markets, and develop a skilled workforce. The organization focuses on economic and community development, entrepreneurship and innovation, business and industry growth, international business development, marketing, public affairs, and finance and administration, and it provides technical support and financial assistance to companies, partners, and communities, including debt funding for startups and early-stage ventures.

Founded in 2010, American Family Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in seed to series B investments. It focuses on companies developing technologies and business models relevant to the future of insurance, with an emphasis on FinTech, data analytics, IoT, cybersecurity, and home automation. The firm invests between $500k to $2m per round.

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable foundation based in St. Paul, Minnesota, established in 1944. Its primary mission is to assist individuals in achieving full economic, civic, and social participation, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of communities. The foundation focuses on creating measurable and meaningful impacts through its philanthropic efforts across Minnesota, North Dakota, and western Wisconsin. The trust's assets are overseen by an executive management team dedicated to fostering positive change and strengthening community engagement.

SymphonyAlpha Ventures, LLC is a Madison, Wisconsin-based venture capital firm that focuses on startup, early-stage, and angel investments, primarily within the healthcare IT and software-as-a-service sectors. As an operating subsidiary of Symphony Corporation, the firm aims to leverage nearly 20 years of expertise in healthcare technology to facilitate the development and market acceptance of innovative products. By utilizing a vast network of health systems and Fortune 500 companies, SymphonyAlpha Ventures supports entrepreneurs in bringing their ideas to market efficiently and effectively.

Founded in 1998, Mason Wells is a private equity firm based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It focuses on mid-market investments in consumer, industrial, and business service sectors across the Midwestern United States.

Founded in 2017, Borgman Capital is a private investment firm focused on acquiring majority interests in established, closely held micro-middle market companies with an enterprise value of $50 million or below. The firm targets profitable businesses with strong management teams and aims to grow these investments over the long term with minimal leverage.

Founded in 2003, InTandem Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in New York. It invests in and supports the growth of select healthcare services companies, aiming to build excellent businesses of significant value through collaborative partnerships with management teams.

Bascom Ventures is a community of accredited UW-Madison alumni who pool capital to invest in UW-connected companies through a venture capital fund.

Inventure Capital is a Madison, Wisconsin-based venture capital firm founded in 2009 that invests in technology, biotech, and clean tech startups in the Midwest. The firm focuses on early-stage opportunities and also provides advisory services, including financial analysis and due diligence. Its portfolio spans healthcare technologies, digital authentication, and environmental tech, and it pursues a strategy that combines growth-focused technology investments with cash-flow-oriented real estate opportunities to balance risk and long-term value.

The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a seed-stage acceleration program founded in 2012 at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, Canada. It is dedicated to supporting massively scalable, science- and technology-based ventures by providing a unique coaching process focused on specific objectives. CDL connects startups with experienced entrepreneurs and leading scientists across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, quantum computing, blockchain, energy, and cleantech. The program has expanded its reach, operating in six cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and New York City, and emphasizes the commercialization of scientific and technological advancements.

Founded in 2000, Norwest Mezzanine Partners is a Minnesota-based investment firm that provides junior capital solutions to middle market companies across various industries. It partners with private equity firms to drive value for portfolio companies and create successful outcomes for stakeholders.

Associated Bank, founded in 1861 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is a prominent commercial bank that operates as part of Associated Banc-Corp, one of the top publicly traded bank holding companies in the United States. With total assets of $25 billion, the bank serves over 100 communities across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, and offers commercial financial services in additional states including Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Texas. Associated Bank provides a comprehensive array of personal and business banking services, which include various lending products such as revolving lines of credit, term loans, asset-based loans, mortgage loans, letters of credit, and business loans. As an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Lender, the bank is committed to serving diverse financial needs while ensuring regulatory compliance.

MKE Tech Hub Coalition is a non-profit organization established in 2020, located in Sussex, Wisconsin. The coalition aims to foster the growth of the technology ecosystem in Southeast Wisconsin by uniting companies, entrepreneurs, community organizations, and individuals who are committed to developing tech talent. Through its initiatives, MKE Tech Hub Coalition seeks to create lasting economic prosperity and provide transformative opportunities for individuals in the region. One of its notable programs, the FOR-M incubator, has successfully supported over 300 alumni, contributing to the collective mission of enhancing the local tech landscape.

OnCourse Learning is an education and compliance solutions provider based in Milwaukee, WI, founded in 2007. The company specializes in offering online professional training services tailored to individuals, companies, educators, and government agencies. It focuses on delivering quality education across various sectors, including real estate, insurance, finance, and mortgage professionals. OnCourse Learning provides a range of services such as compliance training, licensure preparation, continuing education, and professional development through its four established brands: ProSchools, TrainingPro, Quickcert, and AHIT. The company is dedicated to helping clients achieve career success while minimizing compliance risks through engaging and flexible learning content. Recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing companies on the 2011 Inc. 5000 list, OnCourse Learning continues to support the professional growth and compliance needs of its customers.

St. Croix Hospice is a prominent provider of hospice services for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. With 21 office locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, the company offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support patients, their families, and caregivers. These services include physician care, nursing, hospice aide assistance, continuous care nursing during crises, social services, spiritual care, therapy, nutritional counseling, and routine medical check-ups. St. Croix Hospice focuses on enhancing the comfort and quality of life for those with terminal diagnoses while addressing their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Founded in 1970 by the Wisconsin Education Association Council, WEA Trust is a not-for-profit insurance company based in Madison, Wisconsin. Originally focused on insuring public school employees, the organization has grown to serve a diverse range of public employees across the state, including those in municipal, county, and state jobs. WEA Trust provides various insurance benefits, including life, sickness, long-term and short-term disability, and accident coverage through its subsidiary, WEA Insurance. The organization is committed to delivering personalized customer service and effective medical management, aiming to enhance the lives of its members and clients by ensuring they receive appropriate care in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Alumni Ventures Group is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with offices across North America. It provides access to venture investing for individual accredited investors, particularly alumni networks, by offering diversified portfolios of venture opportunities and allowing members to invest alongside fellow alumni in ventures led by peers. The firm backs early-stage and later-stage opportunities across technology, consumer, healthcare, financial services, and other sectors, with a sector- and geography-agnostic approach. It typically invests between $10,000 and $3 million per deal and emphasizes the involvement of alumni connections and an institutional lead investor in opportunities. Alumni Ventures also offers focused funds to broaden participation, enabling accredited investors to access venture portfolios diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. The model aims to democratize access to venture capital while maintaining rigorous selection standards through alumni networks.

Milz Health Group is a comprehensive health insurance agency specializing in providing affordable plans to Wisconsin residents eligible for Medicare, including those turning 65, and individuals seeking coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The company simplifies the process of finding suitable Medicare coverage through its integrated online services.

Alliant Energy is a regulated investor-owned utility holding company that provides electricity and natural gas services in the Midwest through two public utility subsidiaries, Interstate Power and Light Company and Wisconsin Power and Light Company. It serves retail customers across Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and sells electricity to wholesale customers. The company owns and operates generation assets including a 347 MW natural gas-fired unit in Wisconsin and a 225 MW wind farm in Oklahoma, and maintains investments in freight, logistics and supply chain services along with a short-line railway, barge terminal and related operations. It also holds a minority stake in American Transmission Co. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, Alliant Energy traces its roots to 1917.

Foley Ventures is the investment arm of the law firm Foley & Lardner, focusing on direct investments in early-stage startups and technology and life sciences companies, as well as fund-of-funds investments. It invests alongside venture funds and angel investors that support early-stage ventures and operates to collaborate with clients and client funds. Founded in 2011, Foley Ventures is based in Boston with additional offices in Madison, Wisconsin; Palo Alto, California; and Tampa, Florida. The firm backs a broad set of sectors, including software, services, internet, consumer, health care, biotech, medical devices, media, and other technology businesses.

Froedtert Health is a healthcare system that offers cost-effective medical services to the residents of Wisconsin. With a focus on providing quality care, Froedtert Health serves the community through its network of hospitals, clinics, and health centers. Dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals, Froedtert Health aims to deliver comprehensive healthcare solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its patients. By leveraging the latest advancements in medical technology and a team of skilled healthcare professionals, Froedtert Health strives to ensure that all individuals have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services.

Wipfli is an accounting and business consulting firm established in 1930 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm offers a range of industry-focused services, including assurance, accounting, tax, and consulting, aimed at addressing the various challenges faced by its clients. Wipfli serves a diverse clientele that includes manufacturers, construction companies, healthcare organizations, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations, among others. With a team of over 1,500 professionals, Wipfli is dedicated to helping both small businesses and large enterprises streamline processes, enhance performance, and leverage technology to achieve financial growth and success. The firm remains committed to the core values instilled by its founder, emphasizing excellence, teamwork, integrity, and care in its operations.

Wintrust Financial Corporation is a financial services holding company headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, with assets exceeding $18 billion. The company operates primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area, southern Wisconsin, and northwest Indiana through its network of community-oriented banking subsidiaries. Wintrust offers a range of services, including personal and commercial banking, mortgage origination, and wealth management. Its Community Banking segment provides deposit accounts, various types of loans, and cash management services to individuals and businesses. The Specialty Finance segment focuses on commercial insurance premium financing and short-term accounts receivable financing, while also offering administrative services such as payroll processing and treasury management. Established in 1991, Wintrust is committed to delivering comprehensive financial solutions tailored to meet the needs of its diverse clientele.

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. is a prominent operator and developer of family-oriented resorts in North America, specializing in indoor water parks. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, the company operates its resorts under the Great Wolf Lodge brand. As of April 2013, Great Wolf Resorts managed eleven locations across the United States and Canada, including sites in Wisconsin Dells, Sandusky, Traverse City, Kansas City, Williamsburg, and Niagara Falls. The resorts are designed to provide a variety of entertainment options for families, featuring amenities such as water slides, pools, ropes courses, arcade games, and miniature golf. The company also engages in third-party management and licensing of its resort properties, further expanding its reach within the family vacation market.