UPCOMING EVENTS
FOUNDER/FEST
Join the Midwest Founders Community (MFC) for FOUNDER/FEST at Wantable Cafe!
An experience that brings Midwest area startup founders together to build a community of support and celebration. Founders come to network as well as to hear stories from those who have built, scaled, and lost businesses in an informal, party-like setting.
NVNG Community Happy Hour
For our fall F(o)under Forum, in partnership with NVNG’s Community Happy Hour sponsored by CG Schimdt, you’re invited to join the Midwest Founders Community at Pilot Project Brewing the evening of October 8th. Attended by founders, VCs, corporate innovators, and other NVNG partners from across the nation, this is an excellent way to meet new companies and allocators! We look forward to seeing you at Pilot Project.
Startup Career Fair
Founders, students, early-career professionals are invited to come together for a reverse-pitch style career fair.
Digital Product Management for Startups
Startups don’t begin with product managers, they have founders doing the job without the title. In this session, we will share how to think like a PM, even if you’re building solo, including:
- How to sell before you build
- What to prioritize (and what to ignore)
- When the founder should hire an experienced product manager.
B2B SAAS Club
We’re hosting our next B2B SaaS Club meetup at Wantable Cafe in Milwaukee!
Founder Finder
Founder Finder is a high-energy networking event designed to connect startup founders with potential co-founders and collaborators across key roles like software development, marketing, finance, and more.
Founder/Fest
For our next FOUNDER/FEST, we’re teaming up with Founder House in Chicago to kick off summer in style! Join us for an evening of good food, drinks, and a DJ set on an outdoor terrace.
F(o)under Forum
This session will feature a mix of expert insights, candid discussions, and peer learning, providing founders and funders alike with practical strategies for navigating one of the most critical phases of the startup lifecycle.
'How To' Give the Perfect Pitch: Lessons Learned from 300+ Presentations
Join us for an interview & AMA with Startup Hypeman Founder and Chief Pitch Artist Rajiv 'RajNATION' Nathan!
FOUNDER/FEST
Join the Midwest Founders Community (MFC) for FOUNDER/FEST at Penrod!
An experience that brings Midwest area startup founders together to build a community of support and celebration. Founders come to network as well as to hear stories from those who have built, scaled, and lost businesses in an informal, party-like setting.
Thank you to our Founder Spotlights!
Thank you to this event's sponsors:
Complimentary beverages and pizza will be provided.
Please share on your social media and help us build up our community:
Let's Taco 'Bout Entrpreneurship
This is a night that you are NOT going to want to miss!
Visit @3sheepsbrewing for drinks, free tacos, a great opportunity to make connections, and a chance to win up to $500 for bringing your ideas! 💡
To pre-register your idea to pitch, click below.
Founders Day
Founders Day is back! In 2024, Founders Day brought in over 400 founders and mentors, with a combined total of nearly 1,300 hours of networking, mentoring, and coworking. Join anytime 9am-5pm on Wednesday, March 26th for the next session! Come for part of the day or the entire thing!
FOR-M Tech Startup Incubator
The FOR-M Tech Startup Incubator is underway and seeking coaches to help guide the newest founders’ journeys! Coaching doesn’t require any level of experience or skill. It’s about asking questions, providing general guidance, and making new network connections. The first 60-minute virtual coaching session is on March 17th.
Midwest Founders Retreat
The Midwest Founders Retreat is an exclusive two-day experience nestled into the grounds of the wintery landscape of the Wingspread campus in Racine, Wisconsin. Our curated guest list is designed for the top Midwest startup founders, creating a haven for those who seek a reprieve from the daily grind of building their companies among a group of peers looking for growth, connection & a bit of relaxation. The programming is both inspiring and completely optional - allowing founders to take what they want from the experience & to create spaces for the exchange of ideas, strategies & visions for the future.
Location: Wingspread Retreat Center
Dates: February 20 - 21, 2025
Price: $175 - This is all-inclusive of meals & accommodations.
Why Founders Attend:
Exclusive Access: Join a select group of founders and investors in a setting that fosters intimate, high-level networking and collaboration.
Tailored Insights: Engage in meticulously crafted sessions that address the nuanced challenges of scaling and sustaining high-impact businesses.
Luxury at Every Turn: Experience the pinnacle of comfort with luxurious accommodations, world-class cuisine, and personalized service.
Strategic Reflection: Take a step back from the daily grind to focus on the bigger picture with the guidance of industry luminaries and peer feedback.
Legacy Building: Connect with a community of leaders who are not just shaping companies, but defining industries.
What to Expect:
Curated Experiences: The retreat offers a bespoke "choose your own adventure" format, allowing each participant to engage in sessions and activities that align with their personal and professional aspirations.
Mastermind Workshops: Dive deep into advanced strategies with workshops focused on scaling, market expansion, and leadership. Led by industry veterans, these sessions are designed for those ready to take their ventures to the next level.
Intimate Networking Events: Foster meaningful relationships through exclusive dinners, private receptions, and curated social events that encourage organic connections in an elevated setting.
Personalized Mentoring: Access one-on-one mentoring from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors, offering tailored advice and actionable insights for your unique journey.
Wellness & Renewal: Balance business with well-being through private yoga sessions, mindfulness workshops, and serene nature walks, designed to rejuvenate the body and mind.
Exclusive Pitch & Feedback Sessions: Present your business in a supportive yet challenging environment, receiving in-depth feedback from a panel of esteemed peers and mentors.
Fireside Dialogues: Join intimate discussions on the future of industries, leadership, and innovation, facilitated by thought leaders and pioneers in the entrepreneurial space.
This event is co-hosted by the Midwest Founders Community and the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalitionand generously sponsored by The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread.
She Stands Tall Featuring Venice Williams
Join She Stands Tall for an inspiring evening with Venice Williams, the visionary Executive Director of Alice’s Garden Urban Farm. Venice is a cultural and spiritual midwife, dedicated to nurturing the good and whole in people and communities. With over 30 years of experience in Milwaukee, she has cultivated a deep legacy of food, family, and faith.
A native of Pittsburgh, Venice comes from a lineage steeped in working with food and soil. Her family’s grounding ethics of hospitality and nourishment inspire her passion for growing food and fostering community.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Venice as she shares her journey, insights, and wisdom about community building and the transformative power of cultivating both land and relationships.
How it Works: Arrive between 5:30-6 to enjoy snacks, drinks, and mingling. Tickets are just $6 and include light snacks and drinks. Stephanie Melnick will begin the Q&A at 6. If you’re a member of She Shines or WEW Crew your ticket is included in your membership fee. To access your members-only ticket, log in to our website here. If you can’t log in, email at info@shestandstallmke.com for assistance.
How To: Make the Most Out of Media with Jay Kolbe
Jay Kolbe, Co-Founder and Senior Managing Partner at Impact Partners presents his strategy on how to utilize the media landscape for your business.
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Not yet a Midwest Founders Community member? Join today! https://www.thefounder.community/membership
The 5th Annual Great Chicago Food Bash!
Startup Grind is hosting its 5th Annual Great Chicago Food Bash! Enjoy food and drinks from their featured Showcase Startups -- a lineup of our region's top up-and-comers in F&B, get a taste of Chicago's future in foodtech, and hear from a surprise guest in their featured fireside chat.
FOUNDER/FEST (Madison)
Join the Midwest Founders Community (MFC) for our first FOUNDER/FEST of 2025 at StartingBlock Madison!
An experience that brings Midwest area startup founders together to build a community of support and celebration. Founders come to network as well as to hear stories from those who have built, scaled, and lost businesses in an informal, party-like setting.
Founder Spotlights include:
More to be announced!
Thank you to this event's sponsors:
2025 Hiring Trends
Want to have a leg up on the patterns and trends that will be the most prevalent in 2025? Join Amanda Daering, CEO of Newance, for an update on the latest hiring trends. This discussion will include information on this year’s trends, especially:
The recent presidential election and what might change from a policy perspective
AI: moving from clunky agent/great search engine to integrated coworker & how we'll work with it in 2025
How remote work is losing the war on in-person jobs
Milky Way Tech Hub's 7th Anniversary Brunch
The Milwaukee Tech Club is hosting a networking event at the Milwaukee Athletic Club on December 5th! This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow tech enthusiasts, enjoy delicious food, and mark this special milestone.
How To: Go from Bookkeeping to Strategic Finance
Is money on your mind? Join us to learn how to leverage financial data to support business strategy, manage risks, and drive profitability. This is the perfect opportunity to enhance your finance & accounting practices from tracking numbers to making key financial decisions.
This session will include:
Lessons learned from experts in the trenches of fundraising and scaling
Tools and technology to support your finance function
When/how to hire for finance and accounting leadership
We’ll conclude with Q&A so bring your questions for some $FREE advice!
Featured Speakers Include:
Moderator: Amanda Daering, CEO of Newance
Joe Alioto, CFO Services Manager of Founders CPA
Nick Tyson, VP, Finance at Nutriscience Innovations
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Not yet a Midwest Founders Community member? Join today! https://www.thefounder.community/membership
How to: Leverage the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Join us virtually for an insightful event where we will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and learn about its pivotal role and the support network available to startups and growing businesses in the state.
Whether you are looking to start a new venture, scale an existing business, or simply want to stay informed about the entrepreneurial landscape in Wisconsin, this 'how to' will provide valuable insights to maximize your potential to help you succeed while learning about its extensive network of programs and partners. Have your questions answered and receive personalized advice on how to best leverage the resources available.
Business Readiness Program (Wisconsin Connects)
Business Readiness Program (Hybrid)
The NAWBO Wisconsin Business Readiness Program in November will feature a dynamic panel of experts ready to equip you with actionable strategies for 2025 and beyond.
This event will be moderated by Sherri Jordan of Envision the Ladder.
The panelists include:
CeCe Renee Brown, of C Renee Consulting, who will focus on business operations.
Nydia Mauras-Jones, of Odvant Creative, who will focus on branding and design.
Stephanie Melnick, of Melnick & Melnick, S.C., who will focus on contracts and trademark basics.
Talaya Scott, of FIIT Perspective, who will focus on financial literacy and small business finance.
Whether you're looking to refine your branding, strengthen your financial foundation, ensure legal preparedness or enhance your business operations, this event offers practical insights, networking opportunities. Be there for a chance to win a special Business Readiness Gift Basket*.
Founder/Fest
An experience that brings Midwest startup founders together to build a community of support and celebration. Founders come to network as well as to hear stories from those who have actually built, scaled, and lost businesses, all in an informal, party-like setting.
Our event series
We're all about connecting, collaborating, and celebrating outside of the work.
How To
A virtual event series that showcases our partners and provides them with a platform to share their areas of expertise amongst other founders and entrepreneurs.
Launchpad
A pitch competition for innovative ideas in Wisconsin, offering monetary prizes. The event aims to showcase ideas, gain exposure, and help founders secure funding.
founder funder forum
An exclusive event for founders to learn about venture capital and network with investors. It provides education, connections, and valuable guidance for fundraising, while building a bridge between startups and capital.
Les Femmes
An intimate gathering of the Midwest’s female startup founders and entrepreneurs. Our goal is to create a safe, supportive space for female founders to have candid discussions around the challenges they face within entrepreneurship.
Product/market riff
An open space for stalled founders to talk to people who really understand the highs and lows of being in the startup industry. This program opens the door to venting, connecting, discovering a market fit, workshopping new ideas, and testing products among like-minded founders.
MILWAUKEE GPT / HACKATHON
A meetup group that brings together no & low-code founders & aspiring founders to build MVPs, products, plugins, etc. using artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT.
Saas Club
A coalition designed to facilitate partnerships between B2B SaaS startups and Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), and Chief Innovation Officers (CIOs) of mid-to-large corporations. We aim to enable B2B SaaS startups to build successful pilot projects with established enterprises, fostering innovation and driving business growth.