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Startup Community News & Events: Week of May 10th

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Launch Milwaukee will promote the rapid creation and development of hardware and software startup ideas in Milwaukee. Held June 5th through 7th at Ward4, participants are given the opportunity to pitch an idea and ask for help building their idea during a 60-second window on opening night. Teams organically form around shared interests and the building process begins. Participants do not need to have an idea to pitch, and can come individually or with a team. Register at LaunchMilwaukee.com using discount code: STARTUPMKE for a 30% discount. WERCbench Labs announced they looking for teams of engineers, scientists, and programmers to participate in their summer program for technology innovators. WERCbench provides entrepreneurs access to unique production capabilities, including high performance computing, rapid prototyping facilities and small scale production and testing equipment in addition to a $20,000 grant, learn more about WERCbench here.

Subscription wine delivery service BrightCellars has announced they are moving from Boston to Milwaukee with the help of Ward4 and startup accelerator program gener8tor, read more here.

RentCollegePads.com is hiring a Business Development Manager in Milwaukee, apply for the job here. Crowds.io, a crowdsourcing startup based in Milwaukee that helps entrepreneurs launch new products was recently profiled by the Journal Sentinel, read more here.

The Wells Building once a hub for telegrams is now becoming a cloud computing hub learn more about this initiative here.

Four startups recently won Marquette University's ImpactNext Business Model Competition, read all about them here.

Milwaukee-based Scanlytics' SoleSensor technology is being test-driven by a top five telecom firm, according to a recent press release.

To get the latest startup community news & events follow @StartupMKE on twitter!

WERCBench Labs: an immersive program for technology innovators in Milwaukee

WERCBench Labs is a program of the Mid-West Energy Research Consortium (M-WERC) that brings together world leading companies, tech colleges and universities that share a passion for making things.

WERCBench Labs is seeking teams or individuals with ideas, products or technologies related to energy, power or controls that want to develop their technology into a product and business. This includes makers, engineers, scientists, and programmers across all funding stages. Along with a globally recognized teaching team, 50 world-class mentors will provide guidance, coaching, and insights throughout the 12-week training program and beyond to the teams accepted into the program.

There is no direct cost or requirement to give up equity to participate in the program. Selected start-ups will receive a $20,000 grant; $10,000 at the start of the program and $10,000 upon successful completion of the program.

The program helps start-ups build products and scale businesses by providing access to technology, market insights and connections for team building, storytelling, customer acquisition and marketing, business modeling, design, legal advice and fundraising.

Participants will have access to unique production capabilities, high performance computing, rapid prototyping facilities and small-scale production and testing equipment.

The program will take place June 8 to August 27 at the Energy Innovation Center located in Century City Tower, once home to Eaton Corporation's world-renowned testing and production facility. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The formal application deadline is May 29 but WERCBench Labs will be reviewing applications on a rolling admissions basis.

Apply today, click here!

Launch Milwaukee: launch a startup in 54 hours.

Startup Milwaukee is excited to partner with the Milwaukee Hardware Hackathon to announce, Launch Milwaukee an intense weekend-long competition where engineers, entrepreneurs, makers and designers come to learn, collaborate, and build great things. Launch Milwaukee promotes the rapid creation and development of hardware and software startup ideas in Milwaukee. Participants are given the opportunity to pitch an idea and ask for help building their idea during a 60-second window on opening night. Teams organically form around shared interests and the building process begins. Participants do not need to have an idea to pitch, and can come individually or with a team.

Teams will have all the necessary tools to develop hardware and software prototypes such as 3D printers, CAD software, and Raspberry Pi's. Prizes will be offered in multiple categories to recognize the hard work and creativity teams put forth during the weekend and to help continue the development of their idea in the months to follow.

Details of the event:

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  • Dates: June 5th-7th
  • Location: Historic Pritzlaff’s Ward 4 (second floor)
    333 N Plankinton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203
  • Buy your tickets now: www.LaunchMilwaukee.com Tickets include food & drinks throughout the weekend. Use the discount code: STARTUPMKE for a 30% discount.
  • If you have questions, please feel to reach out to:
    Brandon Alberti - launchmke@gmail.com
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Matt Cordio receives BizTimes Media's Bravo Entrepreneur Award!

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Matt Cordio, Co-founder of Startup Milwaukee, The Commons and Skills Pipeline will receive a BizTimes Bravo! Entrepreneur Award from BizTimes Media LLC. The Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards salute southeastern Wisconsin business leaders for their bold leadership, business growth and innovation.

The winners will receive their awards at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Woodland Dreams Ballroom, in Milwaukee at 1721 W. Canal St., from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards and I.Q. Awards will be presented to the recipients at a luncheon during the 2015 BizExpo, to be held Wednesday, May 20, at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee.  The awards ceremony will be emceed by WISN-Channel 12 News anchor Craig McKee.

The complete list of the Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards recipients:

  • Rick Barrett, president, Barrett Visionary Development, Milwaukee
  • Kelly Brown, managing partner, American Deposit Management Co., Delafield
  • Matt Cordio, Co-founder of Skills Pipeline, Startup Milwaukee, 96square & The Commons, Milwaukee
  • Michelle D’Attilio, CEO, Sosh, Milwaukee
  • John Hunzinger, president, Hunzinger Construction Co., Brookfield
  • Jerry Jendusa, co-founder, Stuck LLC, Wauwatosa
  • Scott Kubicki, president, Skyline of Milwaukee
  • Tony Mallinger, president and CEO, Metal-Era, Waukesha
  • Lupe Martinez, president and CEO, UMOS, Milwaukee
  • Sandra Nix, president and CEO, Connected Technology Solutions, Menomonee Falls
  • Regional Spirit Award: Griselda Aldrete, president and CEO of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Steve Laughlin, executive chairman of Laughlin Constable

“BizTimes Media would like to congratulate these company leaders on their success as they continue to innovate, grow and create jobs in southeastern Wisconsin,” said Dan Meyer, publisher of BizTimes Milwaukee. “We invite all businesses in the region to attend the BizExpo and learn more about the creative best practices that are fueling this growth.”

To register to attend the BizTimes Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards ceremony and/or the BizExpo, visit www.biztimes.com/bravo.

Milwaukee startup aims to connect veterans to colleges!

 Home Front Alliance (based at Startup Milwaukee's 96square coworking space) is proud to announce the launch of its state-of-the-art college-connection platform called "CollegeRecon." After 18 months of research, development and testing, CollegeRecon is now available to those who've served, those currently serving and their families.
CollegeRecon revolutionizes the way Veterans view their post-military lives by equipping them with the most expansive and easy-to-use online tool in the world. This platform, which is completely free for the military, bridges the current gap between college-bound service members and colleges and universities looking to enroll these honorable men and women.

CollegeRecon also serves not-for-profit colleges and universities. There are over 3,000 live school profiles currently on the site and each is able to receive college-bound military user's profiles at no cost and begin communicating. Colleges and universities are able to utilize the site for their own recruiting efforts by registering with Home Front Alliance as a "Patriot Sponsor" institution and searching for potential applicants.

The purpose of CollegeRecon is to foster introductions between Veterans and not-for-profit post-secondary institutions.

Small Shops United to Present January 14th at 1 Million Cups

Also announcing search for a PHP/SQL Programmer

Small Shops United, a Milwaukee area startup creating technology-based marketing and fundraising solutions for small businesses, local schools, and non-profits, will be presenting at 1 Million Cups on Wednesday, January 14th (9am). 1 Million Cups is a weekly event giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to discuss their startup with an audience of advisors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs. Events are held at 9am each Wednesday morning in the Historic Pritzlaff Building (325 N. Plankinton Ave).

Additionally, Small Shops United will zithromax for lyme disease treatment be announcing their search for a back end developer as they begin to build their in-house team. It’s a ground floor opportunity to join a growing startup based here in Milwaukee. Interested programmers with a strong PHP/SQL background should reach out to Eric Tallmadge: eric@smallshopsunited.com

 

Get Your Startup in front of Corps at OnRamp on January 22!

In an effort to increase connections between Wisconsin’s startups and established corporations, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Milwaukee Bucks, and gener8tor are sponsoring OnRamp – an event that gives young companies the opportunity to pitch their products and services to established Wisconsin corporations.

The event is intended to help startups in the critical effort to find sales channels and to provide a way for established companies to engage with the entrepreneurial community. It highlights our commitment to helping Wisconsin’s emerging entrepreneurs succeed.

Participating corporations include:
*Milwaukee Bucks
*Harley-Davidson*American Family Insurance
*Rite-Hite
*US Cellular
*MillerCoors
*Northwestern Mutual

Startups wishing to apply are encouraged to research the participating corporations. Each participating corporation will receive those viagra mexico online startup applications that requested to pitch to them and those whose applications indicate a potential customer opportunity. Participating corporations will then choose 4-6 startups to pitch them at the event.

Those startups selected to pitch at the event will be notified on 1/19 and offered a time slot to pitch at the 1/22 event. Startups are requested to arrive at the BMO Harris Bradley Center (1001 North 4th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53203) at least 30 minutes before their scheduled pitch. No technology will be available at the event, however you can use your laptop to present. Startups are encouraged to bring brief handouts of PowerPoint presentations or sales collateral to aid in their presentation. Startup pitches will last 20 minutes including Q&A.

At the conclusion of the event, participating corporations will select at least one startup to either purchase from or mentor (at least two lunches/coffees). Organizers will notify each selected startup.

Apply before the January 16th deadline: https://www.f6s.com/onrampwisconsin#/apply

Looking back at 2014 & more!

As we get ready to celebrate the new year, our Matt Cordio took a look back at important stories and major milestones reached by startups in Southeast Wisconsin in 2014, some highlights:
  • Over $43 million of investment capital raised by local digital and tech companies.
  • 11 companies participated in Milwaukee-based accelerator programs, gener8tor and The Water Council’s BREW.
  • One big exit, Zeon Solutions $37.5 million.

Read the complete story here.

We have wrapped up events for 2014, we are looking forward to seeing you in January 2015:

Happy Holidays, Startup Milwaukee

The Commons Moves to Walker's Point

The Commons, Milwaukee Today we are excited to announce The Commons, an initiative led by Startup Milwaukee in partnership with The Greater Milwaukee Committee has new home! We are moving to a 4,000 square foot office in The Kramer Foundry Building  above Colectivo & Stack'd in Walker's Point.

We would like to thank our Landlord Randy Elliott of Pierce Engineers for helping us secure the space and Mandel Group for helping us locate the office space. We are excited to be a part of Milwaukee's emerging innovation district in Walker's Point where tech and creative firms such as PKWARE, 88nine Radio Milwaukee and Ward5 Code School are setting up shop!

Read complete coverage of the announcement:

The Commons Launches with an intense 48-hour long event in Walker's Point, click here to learn more. 

96square Turns 1!

One year ago today, Startup Milwaukee launched 96square. We started with a few initial tenants, over the year we have grown to 19 companies with over 45+ employees working out of the space. Before 96square Milwaukee lacked a place where growth-oriented entrepreneurs could go to gain access to affordable, scaleable office space and a community of supportive peers during the earliest stages of their companies.

Building a Community of Like-minded Entrepreneurs At Startup Milwaukee we felt that a physical space for entrepreneurs in Milwaukee needed to happen to increase collisions among entrepreneurs to ultimately accelerate the growth of their companies and increase the pace of innovation. A year later I have no doubt that our tenants have developed their own community where knowledge sharing and co-learning happens almost everyday.

Enabling Growth in Milwaukee We’ve seen Rent College Pads scale-up  from just one desk a year ago, to over 10 desks today as they continue their recently documented growth trajectory. We’ve also seen companies such as Find My Spot, Homefront Alliance, SpotHopper and Snapifeye grow their footprints at 96square as well.

Providing Access to Capital We promised we would provide more access to capital through 96square. Since our founding we’ve had local groups such as CSA Partners (Milwaukee) and Wisconsin Super Angel Fund meet with entrepreneurs in our space. We’ve even attracted investor groups from around the Midwest to hold office hours in Milwaukee for the first time, these groups include AmFam Ventures (Madison), Hyde Park Angels (Chicago) and Techstars Chicago. All through our efforts we’ve made over 73 connections between these groups and startups in Southeast Wisconsin.

Thanks to Our Team While I often get to serve as the face of 96square, there is a great group of volunteers who produce events that serve as the glue of 96square the team includes: Steve Anderson and  Brandon Alberti of Snapifeye, Brennan Stehling of SpotHopper and my fellow Startup Milwaukee co-founders Alicia Boknevitz, Tim Grove and Joe Poeschl! Also importantly, thank you to our real estate partners David Florshiem and Ronnie Reum.

Where does 96square go from here? We are excited to watch the continued growth of the space. Right now demand outstrips supply and we are nearing capacity, stay tuned!

Want to work @ 96square? Desks start at $110/month and that includes: access to fiber internet, unlimited use of conference rooms, access to our community kitchens and a network of like-minded entrepreneurs who are committed to growing here in Milwaukee. To learn more about leasing a desk visit 96square.org.

Additional Reading: Co-working space 96square aims to help Milwaukee start-ups collaborate. - by Kathleen Gallagher of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/28/14

Founder of Milwaukee’s First Angel Network, Jeff Rusinow, to Headline gener8tor's Launch Event

MILWAUKEE – Local angel investor and former retail executive, Jeff Rusinow, will keynote gener8tor’s Premiere Night event October 21, as five startup companies present their businesses to over 400 attendees.The event will feature companies that have completed gener8tor’s Milwaukee 2014 accelerator program, which provides funding, mentorship, and training for high-tech entrepreneurs. The program culminates with a Premiere Night event where each entrepreneur pitches their company to an audience of potential investors.

Jeff Rusinow has been an active member of the early-stage venture capital community in the Midwest for over the past 15 years, when he founded Milwaukee's first angel network, Silicon Pastures. He earlier spent 22 years in retail management, holding senior executive positions at Macy's, Gimbel's, Hudson Bay Company and, most recently, Kohl's Department Stores, where he served as an Executive Vice President until leaving corporate mainstream in 2000.

Jeff has been on the Board of Directors of a number of private and public companies, as well as non-profits, over the past several years. As an angel investor, he has invested in over 30 startups, and has had 6 successful exits. He has been the Chairman and lead investor in  two startups that have been acquired by Fortune 500 companies. He is a Founding Donor  of BrightStar Foundation and is on the Investment Committee of the Wisconsin Super Angel Fund.

“Jeff has been a critical supporter of gener8tor through his mentorship, investment and cheerleading support. We’re thrilled to have him keynote our firth Premiere Night,” said Troy  Vosseller, gener8tor Co-Founder.

The companies to be featured at the Premiere Night event:

 

Calling All College Students: The Commons is Accepting Applications

Interested in launching a startup? Want to tackle a corporate innovation challenge? The Commons Launch weekend is officially accepting applications from college students to participate in a 48-hour kick-off event Friday, November 7th through Sunday, November, 9th. During the event, participants will be able to connect with students from around Southeast Wisconsin to form teams to create startup companies or conquer innovation challenges presented by local companies. This is a FREE event for students of all skill sets, areas of study and levels at local colleges and universities. Ready to apply? Click here.

Why should students apply?

  • Connect with some of the area's top employers & take on real-world business challenges
  • Start your own company; build a team or join the founding team of a startup
  • Exclusive access to network of mentors & corporate executives
  • Great resume builder!

Have more questions? Check out our website.

Not a college student? We are also looking for seasoned entrepreneurs, corporate executives and faculty members to mentor student teams throughout the launch. To apply to be a mentor, click here.

Brightstar will invest $50k in each gener8tor alumni company

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 3, 2014 – BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation Inc. today announced the formation of a partnership agreement with gener8tor, a Milwaukee- and Madison-based business accelerator that invests in technology-enabled, rapidly scalable, early stage companies. BrightStar has made a commitment to invest $50,000 in each company that comes out of the bi-annual gener8tor accelerator program that meets BrightStar’s mission and main investment criteria, creating high-quality jobs in Wisconsin. The most recent class had five participants that were picked from nearly 400 applicants. “BrightStar's partnership enables gener8tor to attract and retain the region's most promising new companies,” said Joe Kirgues, gener8tor co- founder. “We're thrilled to partner with BrightStar as we continue our shared mission of improving our community through job and wealth creation.”

BrightStar also announced that its investment committee has authorized funding for two new companies: Forward Health Group Inc. and Swallow Solutions LLC, both based in Madison. These investments total $400,000. The companies were first screened for their ability to create a sufficient number of quality jobs and then passed the committee’s investment criteria for their stage of development.

“BrightStar is very excited to commit to two companies that improve the standard of care and overall costs within health care,” said Dan Matola, CFA, chief investment officer at Jacobus Wealth Management and BrightStar investment committee member. “Swallow Solutions offers a medical device and therapy to help treat dysphagia, a huge cause of patient re-admittance, and Forward Health allows health systems to better leverage the vast amount of data they collect in health records to improve treatment and allocation of resources.”

BrightStar is a 501(c)(3)-designated non-profit foundation created to facilitate job creation and increase Wisconsin’s economic activity by deploying donated funds into equity stakes in early stage rapid growth companies. Entrepreneurs interested in learning more about the businesses of these companies may contact the foundation’s portfolio manager, Todd Sobotka, at tsobotka@brightstarwi.org.

Introducing The Commons

Startup Milwaukee is excited to partner with Innovation in Milwaukee and several local academic institutions to announce The Commons. The Commons will give college students from around Southeast Wisconsin the opportunity to launch a high-growth startup or work on innovation challenges from local companies in a supportive environment. We hope The Commons will create the region's next generation of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs and have a significant impact on Southeastern Wisconsin. Get involved with The Commons here.

What local leaders are saying about The Commons: 

  • “What’s exciting about this (The Commons) from my perspective as president of the Medical College of Wisconsin is that this gives us probably our best opportunity to connect directly with the creativity sector.” - Dr. John Raymond, President, Medical College of Wisconsin (source)
  • The Commons is really about moving southeastern Wisconsin forward, creating jobs, and keeping bright, entrepreneurial and innovative students here in southeastern Wisconsin. - Matt Cordio, Co-founder & CEO, Startup Milwaukee
  • “I strongly believe that this project will strengthen a vibrant community where our current students will stay as well as serve as a catalyst to attract talented professionals from outside Wisconsin.” - Dr. Mary Meehan, President, Alverno College (source)
  • “Mandel Group is here to support the efforts of The Commons and find The Commons an appropriate home. From our standpoint and first-hand experience with creative, students and startups, The Commons is the conduit between their ideas and making them possible, teaching them entrepreneurial skills that are many times lacking, and facilitating access to capital to drive new businesses, jobs and our regional economy.” - Barry Mandel, President, The Mandel Group (source)
  • “I find that higher education too often looks at things in the rear view mirror. It’s time to get out front in moving things forward and this (The Commons) is a good way to do it.” - Neil Hoffman, President, MIAD (source)
The Commons in The Media: 
Connect with The Commons: 

Get your startup in front of established corporations at OnRamp

In an effort to increase connections between Wisconsin’s startups and established corporations, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and gener8tor, in collaboration with Forward Fest and Madworks, are sponsoring OnRamp – an event that gives young companies the opportunity to pitch their products and services to established Wisconsin corporations. OnRamp will be held Thursday, August 28th, 2014 at Madworks at University Research Park. The event is intended to help startups in the critical effort to find sales channels and to provide a way for established companies to engage with the entrepreneurial community. It highlights the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and gener8tor’s commitment to helping Wisconsin’s emerging entrepreneurs succeed.

Participating corporations include American Family Insurance, CUNA Strategic Services, and more to be announced soon!

Startups wishing to apply are encouraged to research the participating corporations. Each participating corporation will receive those startup applications that requested to pitch to them and those whose applications indicate a potential customer opportunity. Participating corporations will then choose 4-6 startups to pitch them at the event.

Those startups selected to pitch at the event will be notified on 8/24 and offered a time slot to pitch at the 8/28 event. Startups are requested to arrive at Madworks (505 S Rosa Rd #225, Madison, WI 53719) at least 30 minutes before their scheduled pitch. No technology will be available at the event, however you can use your laptop to present. Startups are encouraged to bring brief handouts of PowerPoint presentations or sales collateral to aid in their presentation. Startup pitches will last 20 minutes including Q&A.

At the conclusion of the event, participating corporations will select at least one startup to either purchase from or mentor (at least two lunches/coffees). Organizers will notify each selected startup.

Apply to OnRamp: https://www.f6s.com/onrampwisconsin#/apply

Milwaukee-based Scanalytics Selected for AmFam Ventures / Microsoft Ventures Accelerator

Milwaukee-based Scanalytics has been selected to participate in American Family Ventures and Microsoft Ventures Home Automation Accelerator in Redmond, Washington. The program began August 11. Read more here: https://www.microsoftventures.com/blog/tabid/233/ID/77/Meet-the-Startups-Selected-for-the-Microsoft-Ventures-Accelerator-with-American-Family-Insurance.aspx

Milwaukee Startup Community News & Events - July 23, 2014

Unraveling The Internet of Things - July 30, 6pm @ 96square Startup Milwaukee is partnering with Milwaukee Tech Engine to present

Join Startup Milwaukee and Milwaukee Tech Engine at 96square  for a night devoted to unraveling the Internet of Things (IoT) featuring short talks from gener8tor, Johnson Controls & Tempo IQ.  The event is free to attend, register here.
Learn about Uber's Launch in Milwaukee - August 5, 6pm @ 96square Our August growth hacking nights event will feature speakers from Uber who will share the story and tactics they used to launch the popular ridesharing service in Milwaukee. The event is free, register here via EventPally or our meetup page.
1million Cups Launch Event - August 6th, 9am @ The Pritzlaff Building CSA Partners, gener8tor & Wired Wisconsin are bringing The Kauffman Foundation's 1million cups program to Milwaukee. To learn more, click here. 

To learn more about what's going on in the community visit our website, startupmke.org.

Venture forth! Team Startup Milwaukee

Take Action: Protect Ridesharing in Milwaukee

Startup Milwaukee rarely takes positions on political issues, but tomorrow morning, the Milwaukee Common Council will vote on a measure that would negatively impact ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft in the city of Milwaukee.  This measure has been written to protect special interests (the taxi lobby) and limit your access to safe, affordable and friendly ridesharing services.

Ridesharing services are creating jobs and making the city more accessible for citizens, tourists and business travelers.  Research also shows ridesharing services may even be leading to a decrease in drunk driving in other cities.

The folks at Uber have made it extremely simple to email your alderman. You may also visit the official contact directory for The Common Council here. Remind them, a vote for this measure is a vote against job creation, innovation, public safety and keeping Milwaukee competitive with other cities in the 21st century economy.

Let’s keep moving Milwaukee forward, The Startup Milwaukee Team

5 Companies, 1 from Milwaukee Start gener8tor's Summer Program

Milwaukee, WI - gener8tor, a Wisconsin-based startup accelerator, kicks off its Milwaukee 2014 Program this week at their downtown Milwaukee office. This is the fifth gener8tor program since its inception. gener8tor recruits, mentors and trains entrepreneurs leading high-tech business ventures from around the world. Since June 2012, the 23 startup graduates from gener8tor’s previous four accelerator programs have gone on to raise nearly $25 million in financing and created over 150 jobs. Over the course of the 12-week gener8tor program, which begins on July 18, 2014, gener8tor invests its community, capital, mentorship, network and expertise into each company. In addition to gener8tor’s initial $20,000 cash investment, each participating company is guaranteed $50,000 of additional follow-on investment from gener8tor and its investment partners, Angels on the Water and Wisconsin Investment Partners. The program culminates with a Premiere Night event in October, where each entrepreneur will pitch their company to a crowd of community members and potential investors.

“The Milwaukee 2014 program brings a diverse mix of companies from Wisconsin and across the country,” said Troy Vosseller, co-founder of gener8tor. “We’re excited for these five great companies to join the Milwaukee and gener8tor startup communities.”

Out of over 450 applications, the five companies participating in the Milwaukee 2014 Program are listed below:

Beekeeper | beekeeperdata.com Beekeeper Data allows companies to make smarter decisions with their vast amounts of data. For companies that use Hadoop, Beekeeper’s collaborative software platform democratizes data analytics in the same way that Github has democratized software engineering. By working together collaboratively on Beekeeper, organizations with large amounts of high volume and unstructured data can make more informed decisions and reduce costs. (Madison, WI)

HITLIST |  gohitlist.com HITLIST takes the annoyance out of advertising. Developed at the request of ad giant J. Walter Thompson, the HITLIST SaaS application uses gamification techniques to provide online publishers with an embedded display ad widget to increase user site duration, user engagement, and customer targeting. Beta tested over 18 months by several powerful American brands with over 50 million “hits,” the end result is a dramatic increase in site duration, social engagement, and visitor feedback. (Provo, UT)

Modern Movement | modmov.com Modern Movement is creating the next generation of balance training products. Beginners to elite athletes, including those on the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding teams, are using Modern Movement products to improve their balance. The new, patented designs will combine instability and 3-dimensional movement with sensor-based performance measurement and tracking. To date, the company has sold over 2,000 units and will be debuting in a national outdoor recreational retailer this fall. (Madison, WI)

Project Foundry | projectfoundry.org Project Foundry is an intuitive, web-based platform that helps students and teachers manage and expedite authentic personalized learning. With features like Google Drive integration, collaborative communication, standards-based reporting, student self-assessment and more, Project Foundry is the most complete workflow management system available for project-based learning. Project Foundry currently manages over 250,000 projects for 30,000 students and teachers in over 160 schools. (Milwaukee, WI) Stock Mfg. Co. | stockmfg.co Stock is a vertically integrated, domestically made clothing brand that blends an innovative sales model with old school, American craftsmanship. By skipping the traditional retail middlemen that inflate the cost of clothing, and selling directly to their customers, Stock is able to deliver premium, American-made garments at price points that are affordable to the average consumer. To date, Stock has sold over 9,000 garments in 40 states and nearly a dozen countries. Stock is the preferred outfitter of several notable clients including Goose Island Beer Co., Soho House Chicago and Alinea Restaurant Group. (Chicago, IL)

For more information, email troy@gener8tor.com, visit www.gener8tor.com or follow us at @gener8tor. gener8tor is thankful for the support of American Family Insurance as its premier program sponsor.

Spreel, a Milwaukee Based Startup, is taking on Groupon & Yelp by Helping Small Businesses Attract & Retain Loyal Customers

Spreel’s mission is to build a community of small businesses that want to attract, retain and reward loyal customers. Businesses that sign up for Spreel are given a platform and tools needed to create promotions and deals for their customers, and are only charged a small transaction fee for completed transactions.  Spreel is a no-pressure and no-risk platform.  This means there are no monthly fees, no sign up fees, no minimums, and no contracts! Boris Levchets, Spreel’s Founder & CEO, explains Spreel is built on the premise that “business grow and benefit from loyal customers because of repeat business and referrals; however, business just don’t have great tools to entice their customers to shop often and share”.

Spreel is currently accepting new businesses.  Early adaptors stand to benefit from many different perks such as additional keyword promotions and early adaptor recognition. Any business interested in growing sales and increasing customer loyalty will benefit from Spreel.

Spreel is headquartered in Milwaukee, where the company plans to develop its operations.

Visit Spreel at www.spreel.com

Businesses can sign up for free at www.spreel.com/business/registrations/user_credentials

View recent articles at blog.spreel.com

Connect with Spreel on Twitter @spreel

Inquiries or additional questions can be directed to service@spreel.com