Fundraising in Milwaukee: Top Venture Capital Firms and Startup Resources
In recent years, Milwaukee has seen a surge in venture capital activity, with local startups raising millions and attracting attention from both regional and national investors. Notably, Milwaukee is home to gener8tor, a nationally ranked accelerator, and a growing roster of VC firms and angel groups that are fueling the city’s transformation into a tech and innovation hub. The city’s collaborative spirit is evident in its thriving networking scene, with events like Milwaukee Startup Week and organizations such as the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition and Startup Milwaukee providing founders with mentorship, resources, and direct access to investors.
With a lower cost of living, access to top talent from universities like UW-Milwaukee and Marquette, and a strong commitment to inclusive innovation, Milwaukee is attracting founders who want to build, scale, and fundraise in a supportive and fast-growing ecosystem. Whether you’re seeking your first check or looking to join a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, Milwaukee’s VC landscape offers a wealth of opportunities for ambitious founders.
Top Milwaukee VCs and Angel Investors
gener8tor
About: gener8tor is a nationally ranked, concierge accelerator that invests in high-growth startups.
Sweetspot check size: $ 100K
Capital Midwest Fund
About: Capital Midwest Fund invests primarily on investments where companies have excellent management and technology, are performing an important function, and will address significant markets. They look for management with successful previous experience; markets that are established and growing; defensible IP positions; and sustainable competitive advantages.
VC 414
We invest in courageous entrepreneurs who are building products that advance socio-economic prosperity. Our priority is to fund women or founders otherwise undercapitalized in the venture capital ecosystem.
CSA Partners
About: CSA Partners, LLC is a venture fund investing in early stage, high growth, companies located in the Midwest, with particular focus in Wisconsin. We look to partner with entrepreneurs to help them build and grow great innovative companies in our community.
Wisconsin Valley Ventures
About: WVV is a $100M early-stage venture capital fund established as a joint-venture between Foxconn, Advocate Aurora Health, Johnson Controls, and Northwestern Mutual. We target transformation and interdisciplinary innovations in health care, technology, manufacturing and financial services. Our unique partnership among four leading companies enables us to support our portfolio companies at a deeper level than traditional venture capital funds.
Golden Angels Investors
About: Golden Angels Investors is a member led organization of over 100 investors committed to funding and helping great young companies from pitch through a successful exit. Our members are entrepreneurs, CEO's, venture capitalists and professionals who have founded, founded and built world-class companies.
We come from a wide range of industry expertise and together create an extensive network of entrepreneurial support. We mentor and coach the companies we invest in.
Thesis: We are generally interested in opportunities in fintech, edtech, healthcare, hi-tech, and services in large and growing markets with proprietary intellectual property and a great team.
Mason Wells
About: Mason Wells is a highly experienced and active Midwest-based private equity firm that has raised over $2.4
billion across five independent buyout funds, including Mason Wells Buyout Fund V, a $767 million fund raised in 2021. Our longstanding approach to private equity revolves around the investment we make in people, the enduring partnerships we build with
management teams, and the deep network of industry resources we provide.
BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation
About: BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to getting capital to Wisconsin entrepreneurs. Why? They are the most efficient and effective creators of jobs, talent, innovation, and value that our state has. The proven model is simple: we accept donations and then use those funds to make equity investments into Wisconsin early-stage tech companies. When these investments are successful, returns are re-deployed into more entrepreneurs in our great state.
Key Networking Opportunities and Events for Milwaukee Founders
Milwaukee’s startup ecosystem thrives on its strong sense of community and the abundance of networking opportunities available to founders. Whether you’re looking to meet investors, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, or pitch your startup, Milwaukee offers a variety of events, competitions, and groups designed to help founders build relationships and accelerate their growth. Here are some of the most impactful networking opportunities and events for Milwaukee founders in 2025:
Milwaukee Startup Week
Milwaukee Startup Week is one of the city’s flagship events, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, and community members for a week of workshops, panels, pitch competitions, and networking sessions. The event is designed to celebrate local innovation and provide founders with direct access to resources and connections that can help them scale their businesses.
gener8tor Accelerator and gBETA Milwaukee
gener8tor is a nationally ranked accelerator with a strong presence in Milwaukee. Its gBETA program offers free, seven-week accelerator sessions for early-stage startups, culminating in a public pitch night where founders can showcase their companies to investors and the broader community. gener8tor also hosts regular networking events, office hours, and educational workshops.
Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition Events
The Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition organizes a range of events throughout the year, including hackathons, innovation summits, and networking mixers. Their annual Tech Week is a highlight, featuring sessions on emerging technologies, startup funding, and talent development. The coalition’s events are designed to foster collaboration and drive growth in the local tech ecosystem.
Startup Milwaukee and Startup Milwaukee Week
Startup Milwaukee is a community-driven organization that hosts regular meetups, educational workshops, and the annual Startup Milwaukee Week. These events provide founders with opportunities to learn from experienced entrepreneurs, connect with potential co-founders, and meet local investors.
Ward4 Networking Events
Ward4 is a prominent co-working space and innovation hub in downtown Milwaukee. It regularly hosts pitch nights, founder roundtables, and networking happy hours, making it a go-to spot for early-stage entrepreneurs looking to expand their networks.
Social X MKE
Social X MKE is a young professional diversity and inclusion group that hosts networking events, professional development workshops, and social gatherings. Their events are a great way for founders to tap into Milwaukee’s diverse talent pool and build inclusive teams.
Milwaukee Business Journal Events
The Milwaukee Business Journal hosts a variety of business-focused events, including Power Breakfasts, 40 Under 40, and industry roundtables. These events attract influential business leaders, investors, and policymakers.
Why Milwaukee is a Rising Hub for Startups and Venture Capital
Milwaukee has rapidly emerged as one of the Midwest’s most promising cities for startups and venture capital, drawing attention from founders and investors alike. Once known primarily for its manufacturing legacy, Milwaukee is now recognized for its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, robust support networks, and increasing access to capital. Here’s why more founders are choosing to build and fundraise in Milwaukee:
Strong Growth in Startup Activity and Investment
Milwaukee’s startup scene has seen significant momentum in recent years. According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, venture capital investment in the Milwaukee region has grown steadily, with local startups attracting millions in funding across sectors like healthtech, advanced manufacturing, fintech, and SaaS. The city is home to a growing number of venture capital firms, angel investors, and accelerators, making it easier for founders to access early-stage and growth capital than ever before.
Collaborative and Supportive Ecosystem
Milwaukee’s entrepreneurial community is known for its collaborative spirit. Organizations such as Startup Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition, and gener8tor (a nationally recognized accelerator with a strong local presence) provide founders with mentorship, networking, and resources. The city’s co-working spaces, such as Ward4, foster connections between founders, investors, and corporate partners, creating a supportive environment for innovation and growth.
Access to Top Talent and Research Institutions
Milwaukee benefits from a strong pipeline of talent, thanks to its proximity to leading universities like the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University. These institutions not only produce skilled graduates in engineering, business, and computer science but also support research commercialization and tech transfer, fueling the city’s innovation engine.
Cost Advantages and Quality of Life
Compared to coastal tech hubs, Milwaukee offers a lower cost of living and more affordable office space, allowing startups to extend their runway and attract talent seeking a high quality of life. The city’s vibrant arts scene, diverse neighborhoods, and access to Lake Michigan make it an attractive destination for both founders and employees.
Increasing National Recognition
Milwaukee is gaining national attention as a startup destination. The city has been featured in reports highlighting the Midwest’s rise as a tech and innovation hub, and local startups have secured funding from both regional and national investors. This growing recognition is helping to attract more capital, talent, and resources to the region.
Focus on Inclusive Innovation
Milwaukee’s ecosystem is also notable for its commitment to inclusive innovation. Initiatives like the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition’s diversity programs and local accelerators’ outreach to underrepresented founders are helping to ensure that the city’s growth benefits a broad range of entrepreneurs.
Strategic Location and Industry Strengths
Located between Chicago and Minneapolis, Milwaukee offers strategic access to major markets and transportation networks. The city’s historical strengths in manufacturing, insurance, and healthcare have evolved into new opportunities in advanced manufacturing, medtech, and insurtech, attracting both startups and investors focused on these sectors.
Connect With Investors in Milwaukee Using Visible
At Visible, we often times compare a fundraise to a B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you are finding new investors. In the middle, you are nurturing and pitching potential investors. At the bottom of the funnel, you are working through diligence and ideally closing new investors.
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