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 these questions at the forefront: 1. How far have we come as a region? 2. Where are we going as a region?
By keeping these questions in the forefront, it has allowed us to be market responsive, forming momentum through collaboration and playing the role of a unifier.
We can promise we will chart a course with the region’s best interest in mind, as we seek to be on the cutting-edge of innovation.
History
The tech hub movement started as a grassroots effort to address the growing awareness of tech’s impact on the regional economy. In 2017, Northwestern Mutual, Advocate Aurora Health, Froedtert, We Energies, Kohl’s, Rockwell Automation and Johnson Controls partnered to build and guide the growing MKE Tech movement.
Established in October 2019, the MKE Tech Hub Coalition was organized to spur innovation and accelerate efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workforce to match the ever-growing demand for tech workers.
Since then, the Coalition has grown from 6 founding members to over 135 organizations that span corporate, nonprofit, education, and community organizers which extends our collective impact.
Mission & Focus
The Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition exists to collaboratively drive catalytic change resulting in a vibrant, inclusive tech ecosystem where tech and innovation create enduring regional prosperity and good jobs.
Through a lens of diversity, equity and inclusion, the Coalition drives demand for new tech roles and develops a supply of tech talent through three key strategies: attracting business and talent, building a diverse tech talent pipeline, and scaling the innovation ecosystem.
Programmatic Impact
FOR-M Incubator
Celebrating 10 cohorts, FOR-M is an initiative of the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, powered by WePivot, to support and grow Milwaukee’s tech startup ecosystem. This free program takes a community-based approach to offer tech startup founders the guidance, connections, and support to kickstart their new business concepts.
AI Workshops & Roadmaps
The workshop is designed to provide business leaders in the manufacturing sector with practical knowledge and strategic guidance on the application of AI in their operations. The purpose of this workshop is to educate participants on how to identify AI opportunities, measure outcomes, and integrate AI into their business processes for enhanced efficiency and competitiveness. Our focus is how to best invest in your workforce and adapt to an AI-driven economy.
The Roadmap program is specifically designed for seed and Series A stage startups who need to be thinking about how AI can be leveraged in their products and make a plan for integrating AI into their product or service, required to acquire clients and funding. Early-stage startups don’t typically have the capacity to spend time on building AI roadmaps nor do they have access to AI engineers with the expertise to guide them.
AI Community
The work of the MKE Tech Hub Coalition has evolved to accelerate responsible adoption of AI technology to maintain our global competitiveness and to help our local talent flourish in this transformative era. The AI community serves as a place to foster collaboration, share insights, and collectively advance the field of AI in the region.
FUSE
Our FUSE program is unlike any other – we teach the latest tech skills in data, artificial intelligence, and Python while also helping you build the essential professional and networking skills you need to get ahead. No matter which career path you choose.
Hour of Tech
Area individuals, companies, nonprofits and schools come together for this regional week-long experience of tech activities that supports and expands the national Hour of Code movement during Computer Science Week. Students will experience a variety of activities that showcase the possibilities of tech.
Tech Skilling
Tech skilling provides a way to fill the talent gap through the time-tested model of registered skilling programs. Partnering with intermediaries, this program bridges the talent gap for employers and adults looking to get into the tech field.
