Jumpstart South Central Wisconsin

06/04/2026

Got a tech-based business idea? Launch Wisconsin wants to hear it.
The 2026 Launch Wisconsin contest (you might know it as the old Governor's Business Plan Contest) is open for entries, and it's free to enter. Our CEO has been one of the judges for 4 years in a row and she knows it's a great fit for founders who were in our STEM program.

The contest connects Wisconsin entrepreneurs with mentors, expert advice, investors, and real funding. Last year's finalists shared about $180,000 in cash and service prizes, and past winners have gone on to raise over $320 million in investment.

Here's how it works. You start by submitting a short executive summary online (around 1,500 words). Your idea needs to fit one of four categories: Advanced Manufacturing, Business Services, Information Technology, or Life Sciences. From there, top entries move on to a pitch deck round, a mentored boot camp, and live presentations at the Tech Council conference in October.
The deadline is firm: 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026. Enter at launchwisconsin.biz.

06/04/2026

Can't afford to hire more help? Learn how small business owners are using AI to save time, cut costs, and do the job of 3 more people they can't afford to hire. Join this free workshop and discover how to stretch your budget a LOT further. Registration is required. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xNj47dsKQViIQ5v2V83Aiw

06/04/2026

The Jumpstart Summer AI Series is here, and it's all hands-on. Three Tuesdays. Three skills you can use the same day.

- June 9: Using AI to Manage Your Nonprofit Finances
- June 23: Grant Writing Using AI
- July 7: Vibe Coding: Build Apps, Dashboards, and Tools with AI

This series is built for nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who want to put AI to work in real ways. Come to one or come to all three. These workshops are free and open to the public. Registration is required.

06/02/2026

We are proud to welcome seven business owners into Cohort 6 of the Jumpstart TechX Accelerator: John Bennett, Nikki Bennett, Michelle Bullock, Florence Haley, Lorenzo Henderson, Renette Hereford, and Jason Neal. With this group, they join 52 other Jumpstart Accelerator graduates who have come through our doors.

It was time for Jumpstart to move to the next stage of our programming as we found through our work in the past 7 years that traditional 10-week business training programs lack the training and support that business owners need to keep up in today's tech-driven world.

The Jumpstart TechX Accelerator is where business and technology come together. It combines our traditional accelerator with our new STEM program, so participants build real business development skills and hands-on technology skills at the same time. Over the course of the program, entrepreneurs get training, coaching, and support to grow their companies, and they finish strong with a live pitch event. It is one program built to help business owners think bigger, build smarter, and compete in a tech-driven world.

05/15/2026

Application deadline is TOMORROW, May 15, 2026 at 5 PM. The Jumpstart TechX Accelerator is more than a 10-week course and pitch event. Graduates receive 2 years of unlimited coaching and mentoring, access to micro-grants, emergency financial assistance, professional development opportunities, and ongoing business support.

05/12/2026

August is National Black Business Month. Mark your calendars for August 20, 2026, for an evening of inspiration, recognition, and connection hosted by Jumpstart South Central Wisconsin. More details and registration information coming soon.

05/04/2026

The Jumpstart Accelerator is more than 10 weeks of classes and a pitch event. Graduates receive 2 years of unlimited one-on-one coaching, mentoring, emergency financial assistance, exclusive access to micro-grants, professional development opportunities and more. We're the only program our kind in the region. Join the Jumpstart Accelerator family!

05/02/2026

We encourage Jumpstart Accelerator graduates to look at civic engagement opportunities. If you're an Accelerator graduate and you live in Janesville, take a look at these great opportunities to give back to your community.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KcJse6aW4/

The City is seeking residents with a passion for public service to fill vacancies on four City committees. These volunteer positions provide an opportunity to actively contribute to local government and help shape the future of our community. Open positions include:

📑 One seat on the Alcohol License Advisory Committee
🌳 One seat on the Sustainable Janesville Committee
🏨 One alternate member on the Board of Review
📍 One alternate member on the Zoning Board of Appeals

Applications are due by Friday, May 15. Learn more and find applications at https://bit.ly/4dayz2h.

04/23/2026

The MAKE608 Design Lab now has new office hours! Stop by Thursdays from 11am – 5pm. No appointment needed.

Location: 2080 Sutler Avenue, Beloit, WI

Get hands-on experience with prototyping, 3D modeling, product development, and digital tools. This space is built for creativity, testing ideas, and growing your business. Open to all Rock County business owners. If you live in Green, Jefferson, or Walworth County, you can join online courses.

Questions? Email [email protected]

04/21/2026

Receive expert guidance and real support from our team. Free for start-ups, microenterprises, and small businesses. Sign up here: https://calendly.com/geniastevens/free-business-coaching