The Entrepreneurial Edge

Entrepreneurs help the region succeed

Economic research has emphasized five new categories of assets for success in a global environment: workforce, lifestyle, finance, information and innovation. Entrepreneurship is an important keystone in regional success in our emerging global marketplace, bolstering regional economies while advancing the quality of life for the region's citizens.

The Madison Region's creative, innovative environment offers an engaged, supportive climate for the entrepreneur and innovator. Our region's outstanding resources for businesses create a powerful infrastructure helping entrepreneurs to thrive, building local economies and a sustainable quality of life.

The Entrepreneur's Toolkit

The presence of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a primary economic engine for the region and one of the top-ranked research universities in the world, is coupled with our top-ranked executive education programs and abundance of business startup resources to support your entrepreneurial venture. Additionally, the UW and our robust technical college system are feeders for a well-trained workforce and a wellspring of management talent.

Our strong innovative climate has fostered creative partnerships to further our entrepreneurial edge.

WARF, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, is an independent, non-profit foundation chartered to support research at the UW-Madison and the designated technology transfer organization for the university. WARF is a separate entity from the university but partners closely with it. Partnering with WARF means the patenting process for spinoff companies is streamlined for regional entrepreneurs. A supporting organization, WiSys, Inc. identifies innovative technologies developed throughout the UW System and brings them to the marketplace for the benefit of the inventors, their colleges, Wisconsin's economy and society as a whole.

Known as America's "Third Coast," the Midwest region is becoming a hub of venture and angel capital activity, promoting a strong financial edge for the regional entrepreneur. Coordinated, focused resources including the Wisconsin Angel Network and the Wisconsin Technology Council help entrepreneurs develop, pitch and fund their ideas, bringing the innovative spirit of the region to market in a streamlined approach.

Partners for Resources and Support

The many educational opportunities of the region are accessible through our many UW campuses, our UW Extension campuses throughout the region and our technical college system. Programs like the UW Madison's Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship with its the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp and the WAVE program work in tandem with the many active regional Entrepreneur and Inventor Clubs.

Innovative programs like the Governor's Business Plan Contest and the Early Stage Symposium are exciting and creative avenues to help entrepreneurs hone their skills and build and grow their businesses.

A few of our recent accolades...

Did you know?

According to the US Patent and Trademark Office's online databank, in the years 2006 and 2007, 406 patents were issued to entities listing the Madison area as their location.

Congratulations

Green County Development Corporation Executive Director Anna Schramke was honored as a 2007 Wisconsin Innovation Champion for leadership in creating the Green County Area Entrepreneur and Inventors Club.