LU lands WEDC grant to aid entrepreneurs
糖心vlog传媒 has received a $84,500 Entrepreneurship Partner Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation鈥檚 (WEDC) to expand its programs and services for entrepreneurs and startups in the region.
糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (LUCIE) will host grant programming on-campus and also at Jake, a 糖心vlog传媒 Community, in downtown Sheboygan.
鈥淚t鈥檚 gratifying to receive state support for our ongoing efforts to build entrepreneurship and innovation in this region,鈥� said Stephanie Hoskins, 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Herbert Kohler & Frank Jacobson Chair in Business and Entrepreneurship.
鈥淲e are one of only a few resources outside of Wisconsin鈥檚 metropolitan areas and are in a unique position to focus on helping rural entrepreneurs, so this grant is especially important as we work with those individuals and groups to realize their business goals and support their dreams.鈥�
The WEDC grant dollars will be used to fund several initiatives, including:
Seed, Start, Scale, a series of workshops for startups and entrepreneurs. In addition to these sessions, this program includes some seed funding to help cover initial startup costs.
Several new events, including:
An inaugural Patentpalooza, which will see 糖心vlog传媒 work with companies, universities, and individuals in the community who have an idea they would like to patent or already have a patent to help bring their idea to market.
A buyer's conference at Jake鈥檚 which will introduce procurement and sourcing employees from large companies and government to smaller business suppliers to encourage business relationships.
An inaugural angel investor event which will connect local startups with potential investors from across the state.
A total of 10 one-year coworking memberships at Jake鈥檚 for startups and entrepreneurs and 10 6-month Maker Memberships to utilize the new Community Design Studio space.
A capital access literacy platform, which will help entrepreneurs identify and connect with the best sources of financing for their businesses.
Technical assistance grants offered through 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 new Community Design Studio to cover the costs for a variety of needs including website, logo design, branding, prototypes, etc.
Piloting a program for new business-to-business startups that are looking for their first five customers. Grant funds will be available to cover half of the cost for the customer, reducing the risk for both the startup and the potential new customer, and helping the startup raise capital.
For more information on the various services that will be provided, visit this link.
The Entrepreneurship Partner Grants were created in 2021 to assist organizations that provide training, financing, mentorship and technical support to startups across the state.
鈥淓ntrepreneurs play a vital role in driving Wisconsin鈥檚 economy forward,鈥� said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state鈥檚 lead economic development agency. 鈥淲ith the help of our partners, entrepreneurs will be able to bring new ideas and businesses to life.鈥�
