INNOVATE® Milwaukee

Innovations of the World

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

INNOVATE® Milwaukee: Unveiling the Dynamic Epicenter of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Welcome to the heartbeat of innovation, the birthplace of visionary ideas, and the haven for entrepreneurial spirits—Milwaukee, America’s brewing city that’s fermenting a new concoction of innovation!

Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Wisconsin, Milwaukee offers more than its famed breweries and stunning lakefront. This city boasts an undercurrent of innovation and entrepreneurial zeal that’s reshaping its business landscape.

Milwaukee is a treasure trove of diversity—a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and perspectives. The city’s unique blend of heritage, creativity, and industriousness fosters an ecosystem that nurtures groundbreaking ideas and groundbreaking leaders.

What makes Milwaukee shine on the innovation map is its rich history of resilience and reinvention. From its manufacturing roots to its current emergence as a technology and entrepreneurship hub, Milwaukee has evolved dynamically, blending tradition with modernity.

The city’s business landscape is a tapestry woven with pioneering startups, forward-thinking enterprises, and academic institutions fueling research and innovation. Collaborations between industries and academia are transforming ideas into impactful ventures that create ripples far beyond the city limits.

Milwaukee’s innovation scene is characterized by its inclusivity and collaborative spirit. The support systems, co-working spaces, and innovation hubs resonate with an energy that encourages collaboration and the cross-pollination of ideas. It’s a place where innovative thinkers gather, exchange insights, and forge ahead together.

Key sectors like technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and sustainability are thriving here. Milwaukee’s entrepreneurs and businesses are redefining what it means to innovate, focusing not only on technological advancements but also on social impact and sustainability.

Moreover, Milwaukee’s educational institutions stand tall, nurturing the next generation of innovators. Their research prowess and dedication to fostering a culture of innovation play a pivotal role in shaping the city’s future.

As part of the INNOVATE® Series, we’re excited to unravel the myriad stories, success sagas, and groundbreaking initiatives that define Milwaukee’s innovation landscape. Through insightful articles, thought-provoking interviews, and captivating narratives, we aim to showcase the brilliance, resilience, and transformative potential that Milwaukee embodies.

Join us on this exhilarating expedition through Milwaukee’s innovation universe. Let’s celebrate the visionaries, trailblazers, and game-changers propelling this city towards a future bright with innovation, growth, and boundless possibilities.

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Ecosystem Champions

Thank you to MKE Tech for making this book possible, they are the voice and champion of Innovate® Milwaukee that unifies the community!

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Innovators

Featured Innovators

MKE Tech

The World of Talent is Changing. Is Your Business Ready?

Since the inception of the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, we’ve been guided by a bold vision of technology as an economic driver in the region. We’ve operated with a civic mindset, while remaining curious to address the region’s most pressing needs in tech. As the region has advanced, we’ve kept...

BROOKSOURCE

A RELATIONSHIP-FOCUSED APPROACH TO BUILDING THE FUTURE OF TECH & MILWAUKEE!

Since 2000, Brooksource has established and maintained lasting relationships with its clients, consultants, and the Milwaukee community to create unparalleled experiences. Brooksource is a trusted services provider that specializes in delivering Engineering and IT initiatives for Fortune 500 organizations and the public sector through Experience-Driven Staffing, Professional Services, as well...

CODEWORKS

PURPOSE. PASSION. PEOPLE.

Codeworks began in 1995 when Mark Theisen, a software developer, recognized the need for a software development consulting firm that provided high-level quality talent at reasonable rates. There was a lot of competition popping up in the IT consulting industry at the time, but he saw companies that were inefficient...

TALIMER

THE WORLD OF TALENT IS CHANGING. IS YOUR BUSINESS READY?

Talent moves fast. Whether businesses are looking for top tech, marketing, or creative talent, finding the right resources for an organization’s needs takes serious time, diligence, and focus. In addition, study after study shows that more professionals are moving towards independent, flexible forms of employment. These are motivated, confident, highly-skilled...

NVNG

ELEVATING WISCONSIN’S VENTURE SCENE: THE POWER OF NETWORKS UNLEASHED

Wisconsin-based NVNG is a boutique investment advisory firm with a unique superpower: curating connections. Founded by Carrie Thome and Grady Buchanan in 2019, NVNG (Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained) is on a mission to make Wisconsin’s venture ecosystem globally competitive by leveraging the power of strategic networks. “We have the right...

HSA Bank

HSA BANK IS BUILDING A NEW ERA OF TECHNOLOGY-FOCUSED EXPERIENCES IN FINANCE

HSA BANK IS BUILDING A NEW ERA OF TECHNOLOGY-FOCUSED EXPERIENCES IN FINANCE Technology-driven experience and innovation have the potential to transform employee benefits from a traditional offering into a strategic differentiator for organizations. The benefits sector, traditionally not seen as a tech ‘powerhouse’, is undergoing rapid change as organizations leverage...

RAPID RADICALS

UNLEASHING INNOVATION: RAPID RADICALS’ TORRENTIAL TRIUMPH

In July 2010, nine inches of rain fell in a very short amount of time, filling the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD) service area pipes with some 64 billion gallons of water. A storm of this severity is only likely to occur once every 500 years, but the frequency is...

FORJ

REVOLUTIONIZES MEMBER EXPERIENCE WITH INNOVATIVE PLATFORM, JOURNEY BY FORJ

Forj has emerged as a trailblazer in the world of association and professional network technology with the launch of their groundbreaking platform, Journey by Forj. The company is redefining how organizations engage with their members, combining the power of community with cutting-edge learning experiences. Forj, a forward-thinking SaaS company, has...

7RIVERS

THE CONFLUENCE OF DATA AND STRATEGY

7Rivers is pioneering a path for businesses to navigate the uncharted waters of a new era of technology.With a keen focus on data modernization and artificial intelligence, 7Rivers is not just a technology services company but a leader for organizations ready to embark on a transformative journey, helping solve some...

AfroCharts

AMPLIFYING THE PULSE OF AFRICAN MUSIC WORLDWIDE

AMPLIFYING THE PULSE OFAFRICAN MUSIC WORLDWIDE AfroCharts, founded by Leonard Novati in 2020, is a pioneering digital music platform dedicated to showcasing the rich tapestry of African music to the global audiences. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, AfroCharts has rapidly grown to become a vibrant hub for artists, fans, and event...

DCI MARKETING

CELEBRATING ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2024, DCI MARKETING FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INNOVATION FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS FOR FORTUNE 50 COMPANIES, MAJOR RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS.

As American forces crossed the English Channel to liberate France in June 1944, Milwaukee native Lloyd A. Sauer was thinking forward to a post-war era. Sauer purchased a small company called ColorPrint Products Printing and began producing window signage for shoe stores. But it was Cadillac and Harley-Davidson that propelled...

CONTINUUS

DATA ENABLEMENT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES INNOVATORS

Continuus is a data and analytics consulting firm headquartered in the heart of Milwaukee’s bustling Third Ward. Continuus is uniquely positioned to be the integrator and advisor that brings the Financial Services Data Cloud ecosystem together through technical expertise, partnerships, and core differentiator: industry expertise. Founder’s StoryMatt Moeser founded Continuus...

SUMMERFEST TECH

UNVEILING INNOVATION, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

Technology’s power to drive collaboration is transformative. Summerfest Tech was created in 2018 to showcase the impactful influence of technology in Milwaukee and the Midwest, and provide a platform to network, educate, and celebrate the evolution of technology. Today, Summerfest Tech continues to leverage the world-class music festival Summerfest, while...

ASSOCIATED BANK

MAKING BANKING BETTER FOR EVERYONE

Associated Bank (Associated) operates under the guiding principle of being the “Champion of You.” Every choice and investment made is inspired by customer feedback and aims to strengthen their financial health and simplify their financial lives. The bank’s ranking as #1 for Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction in the Upper Midwest...

REX K-12-FROM VISION TO IMPACT

FROM VISION TO IMPACT

Rex K-12 is at the forefront of a transformative wave redefining the educational landscape in Milwaukee – and beyond. It is a company preparing the next generation for a rapidly evolving digital world. This story isn’t just about innovation; it’s a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and the...

FINDORFF

TRANSFORMING A SPACE SO IT BETTER BENEFITS THE STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND COMMUNITY

TRANSFORMING A SPACE SO IT BETTER BENEFITS THE STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND COMMUNITY For over a decade, Findorff has been honored to build, reimagine, and renovate various spaces at Marquette University. From smaller and expedited projects to multi-million state-of-the-art facilities, Findorff understands the importance of innovation and deeply appreciates and values...

SENTRY EQUIPMENT

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR A BETTER, SAFER WORLD

Building the foundation for a better, safer world. For the general public, words such as “innovative” and “dynamic” aren’t commonly used to describe the manufacturing industry. But in an industry criticized for being slow to change, Sentry Equipment—a century-old, Oconomowoc-based manufacturing powerhouse—has solidified its position as a proud outlier driving...

STRATUS INDUSTRIES

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING: HOW STRATUS INDUSTRIES IS PIONEERING A NEW ERA

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING: HOW STRATUS INDUSTRIES IS PIONEERING A NEW ERA Stratus Industries, established in 2013, is redefining manufacturing by combining traditional strengths with a tech-driven approach. Led by co-founder Lyle Stoflet, the company embodies the motto “Make Manufacturing Cool Again,” aiming to reshape an industry often seen...

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION

EXPANDING HUMAN POSSIBILITY

The Allen-Bradley® Clock Tower, part of the Rockwell Automation headquarters, is an iconic piece of the Milwaukee skyline and a symbol of the city’s rich industrial and technological heritage. For 120 years, Rockwell Automation has been innovating and engineering solutions that advance industrial automation – allowing manufacturers around the globe...

BLOCK TIME FINANCIAL

PIONEERING THE FUTURE: VISION FOR DISRUPTION

PIONEERING THE FUTURE: VISION FOR DISRUPTION Block Time Financial is pioneering the financial technology sector in Milwaukee—and beyond. With a profound understanding of the rapidly changing landscape of global finance, CEO Bruce Rosenheimer, a seasoned Wall Street veteran, and CTO Lou Morgan, with three decades’ experience in the financial trading...

WEAR-TECH

INNOVATING SAFETY

WEAR-TECH – DETECT – PREDICT – PROTECT™ “Our homegrown AI companion, MAHI™, is aware of its users’ environment and alerts the wearer and the caregivers if a vulnerable loved one inadvertently heads towards a hazard.” A profound loss propelled an innovator in Hartland, WI, to create predictive safety technologies for...

INTRNLS 

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Intrnls is at the forefront of revolutionizing the carbon capture industry. With a clear focus on producing the world’s most efficient carbon capture filters, Intrnls is not just a company; it’s a transformative force dedicated to addressing one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues – reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide....

BIOFORWARD WISCONSIN:

LEADING THE PATH TO PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

Pioneering Innovation in BiohealthNestled in the heart of America’s Midwest, BioForward Wisconsin represents Wisconsin’s vibrant biohealth sector which stands as a beacon of innovation and economic growth. A 501(c) 6 member association established in 1988 as the Wisconsin Biotechnology Association, the organization initially focused on biotechnology. It expanded its membership...

Ideawake

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE In a world where ideas hold immense value, Ideawake is on a mission to empower companies to mine their most valuable resource: their employees’ creativity and insights. Founded in 2013 by Coby Skonord and Trae Tessmann, Ideawake began with a vision to make innovation accessible...

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The Publisher

Daniel Esterhuyse

Daniel is the Head of International Publishing Partnerships at Innovations of the World. Born and raised in South Africa, he currently resides in Johannesburg with his wife of 19 years, their 12-year-old daughter, and three cats—FluffPuff, Roxy, and Gizmo, all girls.  An entrepreneur since his school days, Daniel has co-founded various small and large businesses.... click to read more

The Publisher

Daniel Esterhuyse

Daniel is the Head of International Publishing Partnerships at Innovations of the World. Born and raised in South Africa, he currently resides in Johannesburg with his wife of 19 years, their 12-year-old daughter, and three cats—FluffPuff, Roxy, and Gizmo, all girls.  An entrepreneur since his school days, Daniel has co-founded various small and large businesses.... click to read more

Other Ecosystems