In support of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, New North Inc., the regional marketing and economic development organization for the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, is collaborating with 14 of its local partners to hold six pitch events during Startup Week in the state. The event winners will advance to a regional pitch event, December 2 at TitletownTech in Green Bay.
Entrepreneurs within the New North who are interested in participating in the qualifying local pitch events are asked to upload their pitch ideas by October 31 at the New North Pitch Series 2026 website,
https://www.startupwi.org/new-north, where additional information also is available. Those registering will be asked to select the
one local pitch event that is closest to them or where their business is/will be located.
The local and regional entrepreneurial pitch contests are supported by the NEW Launch Alliance of New North Inc., along with
WBD Inc. The
NEW Launch Alliance was formed to create a more robust and productive entrepreneurial environment across the 18 counties of the New North region, connecting entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, educators, accelerators and other resources.
“The local pitch events are a great illustration of the depth and breadth of creative business ideas in the New North region, and we are thankful to our local partners who help New North to provide an opportunity for these innovative startup ventures to be shared,” says Patti Habeck, president and CEO of New North Inc. “We know that a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is a pillar to the success of a regional economy and look forward to hearing from the region’s newest entrepreneurs.”
The local contests are open to all residents located in Northeast Wisconsin or those who will be launching their businesses in the region. Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and the business must have generated no more than $300,000 in annual revenue or capital raised. Winners from the last two years are not eligible to receive award money, but can participate for practice and feedback.
The six local pitch events, in order of their occurrence, are:
Envision This!, powered by Envision Greater Fond du Lac
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 4, at 5:30 p.m.
Location: The Passenger Lounge, 105 S. Brooke St., Fond du Lac
Fast Pitch, powered by FVTC Venture Center, Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, UW-Oshkosh SBDC, UW-Madison Extension – Outagamie and Winnebago counties
Date/Time: Monday, November 9, at 5:15 p.m.
Location: Sage Hall on UW-Oshkosh campus, 835 High Ave., Oshkosh
Accelerate Sheboygan County, powered by Sheboygan County Economic Development Corp., Lakeland University, SBDC at UW-Green Bay
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 10, at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Jake’s Café – A Lakeland Community, 529 Ontario Ave., Sheboygan
Pitch Greater Green Bay, powered by the Greater Green Bay Chamber
Date/Time: Thursday, November 12, at 5 p.m.
Location: Urban Hub, 340 N. Broadway Ave., #200, Green Bay
LevelUp, powered by Progress Lakeshore
Date/Time: Thursday, November 12, at 5 p.m.
Location: Mosaic Event Center, 934 S. 10th St., Manitowoc
Lighthouse Launch, powered by Door County Economic Development Corporation, UW-Madison Extension Kewaunee County
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 18, at 6 p.m.
Location: Sturgeon Bay, venue TBA
Pre-pitch workshops are available for applicants.
The top two winners from each of these local contests will receive prize money – $1,000 cash for first place, $500 for second place – with the top winners advancing to the NEW Launch Alliance Pitch Event on Wednesday, December 2, where they will compete for additional funding for their business ideas and broad investor attention. Prize money at the regional event is $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place.
Sponsors of the entrepreneurial pitch contests are the NEW Launch Alliance, WBD Inc., Headway (application website host), TitletownTech (regional pitch event host location), and CLA.
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About New North, Inc.
New North, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit, regional economic development corporation
fostering collaboration among private and public sector leaders throughout the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, known as the New North region. The New North brand unites the region both internally and externally around talent development, brand promotion and business development, signifying the collective economic power behind the 18 counties. The counties include Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago.
www.thenewnorth.com
About WBD Inc.
WBD Inc. helps businesses finance owner-occupied commercial real estate, utilizing the SBA 504 loan program, and reinvests in economic-development activities in line with its mission to grow businesses, create jobs and build communities. It serves all of Wisconsin, Minnesota and a portion of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with a portfolio of more than $1 billion.
www.wbd.org
