What Would You Do With More Capital for Your Business?

Every founder has had that moment: you’ve got the vision, the spark of a great idea, but you’re missing the resources to scale it into something real. What if you had access to more capital, more mentors, and more momentum behind your business? That’s where Milwaukee’s tech ecosystem comes in.

Why Milwaukee Is the Right Place to Build

Milwaukee isn’t just beer, bikes, and baseball anymore – it’s also the Midwest’s fastest-growing tech hub. From established tech giants to venture-backed startups, the city has built the infrastructure founders need to move from idea to execution.

Here’s what sets Milwaukee apart:

• Access to capital through local angel investors, venture firms, and community grants.
• Mentorship networks filled with experienced founders and industry veterans.
• Collaborative ecosystem where programs, coworking spaces, and accelerators all work together to help new companies succeed.
• Growing talent pipeline from local universities and bootcamps feeding engineering, data, and product roles.

Whether you’re building a SaaS product, a consumer app, or an AI-powered platform, Milwaukee has the mix of resources, investors, and community you need to accelerate your growth. Here’s where every founder should start.

Meet FOR-M: Your Guide Into the Tech Startup Space

Starting out can feel overwhelming. You know you’ve got an idea worth pursuing, but how do you validate it, structure it, and connect with the right people?

That’s where FOR-M comes in. Think of it as your launchpad. This free, community-run initiative is built to help founders (first-time or experienced) get plugged into Milwaukee’s tech ecosystem and move from “concept” to “company.”

• Kickoff Dinners (bi-monthly): Casual networking to meet other founders, share ideas, and hear from mentors who’ve been there. This is your first checkpoint before moving on to monthly coaching.
• Monthly Virtual Coaching: Practical, expert-led sessions where you’ll get feedback on your startup model, product-market fit, and go-to-market strategy.
• Founder Showcase (twice a year): Showcase meets networking mixer for the chance to present, share, and connect with the broader MKE Tech community.

How You Can Get Involved

Whether you’re ready to build or ready to give back, there’s a seat at the table for you:

• Apply for the Tech Startup Incubator Program: With limited spots, you’ll receive focused attention on your idea, helping you test, refine, and scale it.
• Sign Up to Coach at FOR-M: Coaching doesn’t mean you need to be a VC or ex-founder – it’s about asking thoughtful questions, sharing perspective, and making connections. FOR-M gives you prep materials to make it easy (and fun).
• Get a Feel for FOR-M at Founders Day (monthly): Drop in anytime between 9–5 p.m. for open coworking and connection sessions at Ward4, held on the last Wednesday of each month. Come and go as you like, meet other founders, and plug into the energy of Milwaukee’s startup community. View the schedule here. 
• Access to Free Online Content: Check out our virtual library of resources – from building customer profiles to business models and pitching your startup idea.

GET INVOLVED

The MKE Tech Community Has Your Back

Here’s the truth: no founder builds alone. Success comes from pairing your unique ideas with the right network and the right resources. When you join Milwaukee’s tech ecosystem, you’re not just plugging into a program – you’re stepping into a community of builders, mentors, and investors who want to see you win. With genuine Midwest hospitality, you’ll find open doors, helping hands, and a community ready to support you.

And down the road, when you’ve launched and scaled, you’ll have the opportunity to give back – to mentor the next wave of FOR-M founders, to invest in Milwaukee talent, and contribute to the future of tech innovation.

See FOR-M in the news.