Milwaukee’s entrepreneurial landscape is rich with resources designed to support startups and small businesses. Whether you’re in the ideation phase or looking to scale, the city offers a variety of programs and organizations to assist you on your journey.
Greater Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce (GMCC)
The GMCC serves as a hub for small, micro, and startup businesses within Milwaukee. Committed to promoting business growth, the Chamber offers support services aimed at helping members expand their enterprises and contribute to the city’s economic prosperity. Their mission focuses on enhancing Milwaukee as a place to live, work, and play. Learn more about GMCC.
Greater Milwaukee Urban League (GMUL)
GMUL is dedicated to empowering communities through education, employment, and economic development. Their initiatives address workforce readiness, career pathways, and wealth building. Notably, the Entrepreneurship Connection program provides local entrepreneurs with access to business resources and networking opportunities, fostering business growth and generational wealth. Discover GMUL’s programs.
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC)
MMAC has launched comprehensive initiatives to promote startups and entrepreneurship throughout the Milwaukee region. Their mission includes creating greater awareness of resources available to entrepreneurs at every stage of growth and cultivating a connected startup community. Programs like the Milwaukee Venture Mentoring Service connect entrepreneurs with mentor teams to accelerate growth and increase success rates. Explore MMAC’s startup support.
Milwaukee County Business Resources
Milwaukee County offers a myriad of resource partners to support small businesses. Organizations such as BizStarts provide one-on-one coaching and mentoring, while the Marquette University Entrepreneur Legal Clinic offers legal services to startups. Additionally, the Small Business Development Center at UW-Milwaukee assists entrepreneurs with business planning, marketing, and access to capital. Access Milwaukee County’s business resources.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Lubar Entrepreneurship Center
The Lubar Entrepreneurship Center (LEC) offers a range of programs designed to help UWM students, faculty, staff, and community members bring bold ideas to life. Programs like the Milwaukee I-Corps™ link new ventures with mentors to explore commercialization pathways, while the Startup Challenge encourages students to develop and launch businesses. Learn about LEC’s offerings.
MKE BOSS
MKE BOSS is Milwaukee’s one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs of color to find resources needed to build, operate, scale, and sustain their small businesses. By answering a few questions, entrepreneurs can be matched with services that best serve their current needs, streamlining the process of accessing support. Find your match with MKE BOSS.
By leveraging these resources, Milwaukee entrepreneurs can navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business with a strong support system, contributing to the city’s vibrant economic landscape.