Founded in 1919 in Milwaukee, Baird’s financial advice and expertise has helped guide clients through changing market cycles and unexpected events across generations. Today, Baird is actively investing in many initiatives throughout Wisconsin to position the state as a center for innovation. These activities are part of the firm’s ongoing efforts to support economic opportunities across Wisconsin, the region and the globe.
“Baird’s investments highlight Wisconsin’s growing reputation as an innovative state, and they reflect our longstanding commitment to supporting the economic development of the communities where we live and work,” said Baird Chairman & CEO Steve Booth. “Our firm and our people are deeply committed to supporting the next wave of businesses that will create even greater innovation in the state and beyond.”
Baird’s Investments in Wisconsin Innovation
“Wisconsin always has been and will continue to be an important part of Baird’s investment strategy,” said Dan Renouard, Baird’s Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives. We look forward to continuing our leadership in support of our state’s and region’s most innovative pursuits.”
M7
Baird supports Milwaukee 7 (M7), a regional cooperative economic development platform for the seven counties of southeastern Wisconsin. M7’s mission is to drive growth by helping homegrown businesses expand while attracting new businesses and talent. For example, M7 recently attracted Microsoft to invest billions of dollars to bolster the region’s status as a hub of technology companies.
MKE Tech Hub Coalition
This non-profit membership organization, where Renouard is board treasurer, serves as a unifying voice for the Milwaukee tech ecosystem to drive innovation through meaningful connections. Since its founding in 2019, it has attracted more than 120 corporate members, including Baird.
The Water Council
Baird is a founding member of The Water Council, a Milwaukee-based organization that solves critical global water challenges by driving freshwater innovation and advancing water stewardship. Today, Baird CEO and President Steve Booth sits on the board, as does Baird investment banker Steve Guy.
Marquette University
Several members of Baird’s leadership team, including Mary Ellen Stanek, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Baird Advisors and President of Baird Funds, and Jay Schwister, Director of Research and Senior Portfolio Manager of Baird Advisors, are directly involved in elevating
Marquette’s programs and facilities. Baird leaders, business units and Baird Foundation offer significant support to the Applied Investment Management (AIM) program that provide customized learning experiences to prepare students for competitive finance, investment and Fintech careers. The flagship AIM lab in the Marquette College of Business Administration Margaret O’Brien Hall is now branded the Baird Applied Investment Management Lab.
Baird Capital’s Venture Team
The firm’s Venture Capital platform invests in mid-stage venture companies in the B2B technology and services market. They target U.S.-based companies located outside of the traditional coastal VC hubs, focusing on companies operating in the Mid-America region. In early
2024, the group announced the final close of its sixth U.S. Venture Capital fund with a total of $218 million in committed capital, its largest venture fund to date. Baird’s Venture team is also a long-time supporter of the Wisconsin Technology Council, which provides policy support for innovation initiatives in the state.
TitleTown Tech
This venture capital firm was founded on a partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft. Baird is a founding investor in the TitleTown Tech Fund I, which raised $25 million. The company invests in early-stage companies innovating in sport or solving challenges in industries key to the Midwest and runs an innovation incubator at Titletown Tech’s headquarters in Green Bay.
NVNG Fund I
Baird is an investor in this $50 million venture capital fund, managed by Wisconsin-based NVNG Investment Advisors that invests in Midwestern startups. This corporate-focused “fund of funds” attracts outside investment into Wisconsin and helps extend Wisconsin innovation to the rest of country.
The Baird Center
Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the newly expanded Baird Center, formerly known as the Wisconsin Center, is the hub of convention business in Wisconsin, delivering $12.6 billion in economic impact to the state of Wisconsin over 30 years.
