News – Page 2 – Wisconsin Venture Capital Association

A Look at the Water Tech Industry in Wisconsin

As Wisconsin is bordered by the two largest lakes in the United States to the north and east, the Mississippi River to the west and more than 15,000 lakes in-between, it is no surprise that the state knows its water. In fact, according to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), Wisconsin has established itself as a leader in effectively managing and protecting its water and is home to more than 300 water technology companies, with more than half in Milwaukee alone.

Major Startup Events in Wisconsin

Over the past few years, the Wisconsin startup scene has experienced a boom. For example, Madison is becoming a hub for technology startups, while Milwaukee is seeing more diversity among its startups. Along with the growth of Wisconsin’s startup ecosystem is the increasing number of startup events in the state. Here is a list of major startup events held annually in Wisconsin:

The Next Generation of Farming

INTRODUCTION

According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, agriculture contributes $104.8 billion annually to our state’s economy. The state is home to 64,793 farms, but that figure has decreased each year. For example, Wisconsin lost 638 dairy farms in 2018 and 818 in 2019.

A Look at Wisconsin’s Agriculture-Based Startups

Wisconsin is famous for its farms. In fact, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin is home to 64,793 farms. Meanwhile, the agricultural industry accounts for 11.8% of the state’s employment. So, it should not be a shock that Wisconsin is also home to several agriculture-based startups. Here is a look at a few of them:

In the News: WVCA Member Discusses DE&I in Tech Industry

In the wake of the George Floyd murder last May, institutions—including members of Milwaukee’s technology industry—pledged to ramp up diversity and inclusion efforts.

WVCA Supports the Creation of $100M State Fund of Funds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(MADISON, Wis.)–The Wisconsin Venture Capital Association urges lawmakers to include Gov. Evers’ proposed $100 million venture fund of funds in the 2021-23 state budget.

An Update on Corporate Venture Capital in Wisconsin

It is well known that 2020 was an unprecedented year, but nevertheless, in 2020 the State of Wisconsin experienced growth in the number of startups and venture capital deals. In fact, Wisconsin companies raised $273 million in 2020, which is $59 million more than in 2019. Part of that growth came from corporate venture capital (CVC) funds.

2020 VC Deals in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has consistently filled the role of the rising underdog when it comes to Midwest venture capital deals. In 2020, 91 Wisconsin companies raised a collective $293 million in capital, according to the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). This is up $44 million from 2019. Yet, the state is still playing catchup to its Midwest neighbors such as Michigan ($3.3 billion), Illinois ($2.6 billion) and Minnesota ($1.9 billion).

Tips for Entrepreneurs Looking to Raise VC Money

It’s no secret that a startup’s success is often correlated with how much capital to which it has access. A CB Insights study of more than 1,000 startups in the seed stage found that less than half, or 48%, managed to raise another round of funding.

To help entrepreneurs, both new and experienced, here are tips for how to approach raising VC money.

WVCA Members Present at CommUNITY Growth Summit

On March 30, several WVCA members, including board president Greg Robinson, spoke on a panel about the role institutional capital plays in developing a community’s economy and innovation ecosystem.