New North region to hold local, regional entrepreneurial pitch contests

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – 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, Dec. 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 Saturday, Oct. 31 at the New North Pitch Series 2026 website, 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 or 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,” said 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, Nov. 4, at 5:30 p.m.

Location: The Passenger Lounge, 105 S. Brooke St., Fond du Lac

Main contact: Zach Beasom, zbeasom@envisiongreaterfdl.com

• 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, Nov. 9, at 5:15 p.m.

Location: Sage Hall on UW-Oshkosh campus, 835 High Ave., Oshkosh

Main contact: Mia Ljung, mia.ljung@wisc.edu

• Accelerate Sheboygan County, powered by Sheboygan County Economic Development Corp., Lakeland

University, SBDC at UW-Green Bay

Date/Time: Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Jake’s Café – A Lakeland Community, 529 Ontario Ave., Sheboygan

Main contact: Ray York, york@sheboygancountyedc.com

• Pitch Greater Green Bay, powered by the Greater Green Bay Chamber

Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m.

Location: Urban Hub, 340 N. Broadway Ave., #200, Green Bay

Main contact: Shane Kanneberg, skanneberg@greatergbc.org

• LevelUp, powered by Progress Lakeshore

Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m.

Location: Mosaic Event Center, 934 S. 10th St., Manitowoc

Main contact: Jada Haese, jada@progresslakeshore.org

• Lighthouse Launch, powered by Door County Economic Development Corporation, UW-Madison Extension

Kewaunee County

Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m.

Location: Sturgeon Bay, venue TBA

Main contact: Shauna Blackledge, shauna@doorcountybusiness.com

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, Dec. 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.