Startup Milwaukee

Startup of the Week: ZoomShift

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:49 -0500

ZoomShift helps small businesses operate better by giving them an easy way to schedule and communicate with their employees. With ZoomShift managers can create and post schedules quickly, and send email and text message notifications to everyone in the group. Employees are then able to sign in and see when they work, trade shifts with other employees, make availability requests and communicate with the whole team from anywhere at any time.

ZoomShift is positioned as a simple solution to a complex problem and serves restaurants, retail stores, universities, customer support teams, volunteer organizations and many other small businesses - including Chick-Fil-A, Sonic, Plato’s Closet and Little Caesars to date. ZoomShift uses a freemium model to give groups a chance to try out the software for 30-days risk free. After the trial ends, groups can continue using ZoomShift for a monthly fee based on the number of employees in the group. Any group with five employees or less can use ZoomShift for free forever.

Recently, Zoomshift launched a new, fully mobile, responsive version of their software. They’ve seen an uptick in sign ups, including free trials from software giants such as Google, 37Signals and SquareSpace.

Skills Pipeline is hiring interns!

Fri, 10 May 2013 19:58:29 -0500

Milwaukee start-up Skills Pipeline is looking to fill two paid internship positions this summer:

Business Development Internship - job description
Strategic Communications Internship - job description

Startup of the Week: Golf Pipeline

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:52:44 -0500

Golf Pipeline is quickly becoming the Facebook and OpenTable for the golf industry. Just as OpenTable did for the restaurant industry, Golf Pipeline offers golfers the ability to book tee times at their favorite local golf courses. And, using the power of social networks, golfers can invite their friends to play golf by selecting from fellow Golf Pipeline friends, Facebook friends, LinkedIn contacts or using a friend’s email address. Golfers can return to the website to track their scores, establish a USGA Handicap Index®, build a golf profile (which shows a golfer’s equipment and other preferences to Golf Pipeline friends) and see all golfer friend activity — who played where, what scores they posted and who became friends with whom.

Golf Pipeline has 350 golf courses available to book tee times at in 23 states, but heavily concentrated in Milwaukee, Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Detroit. However, the Golf Pipeline website is able to be used by any golfer and for any golf course in the United States — public or private. For golf courses that don’t yet offer tee times on Golf Pipeline, a golfer can manually add their tee time (and invite their friends to join) and post their score. Check out this great addition to your golf game. It’s FREE to join and once you do, you can use the social features to invite your golfer friends into your Golf Pipeline network!

GE Healthcare Global Design Challenge

Mon, 06 May 2013 15:18:35 -0500

We’re looking for new ideas from new people to help us build them!

Wanted: Fresh, Milwaukee area communications and creative agencies with the talent to help us build and deliver powerful messages for our global brand. Interest in underground initiatives, where ideas are in early proof of concept phases, is a must.

We will pitch to YOU!

We are experimenting with a new way to develop relationships with innovative, creative firms. We want you to get to know us and for us get to know you in an open format. We will immerse you briefly in our work and methods, reflect on your observations, and lay out the details of our impending projects.

May 23 (If you have what it takes, you’ll make it in. For now, hold the date)

10am-1pm

GEHC Global Design Studio, Waukesha, WI

Interested?
1. Send us a brief description of your firm with contact information.

2. Link to some of your work
3. Email us the name(s), including a 1 line description, for 1-2 people from your firm that would attend the session in May.

4. In a few words answer the question, what is your firm’s self-described style and why is it unique?

Do this by May 10. Mail to Laurie.Schroeder@ge.com Subject: GD Challenge

We will review your interest and select several firms to participate in this first session. Notifications will be made by May 15.

Who is Global Design?
Global Design is a comprehensive, cross-functional design organization within GE Healthcare spread across 6 world class studios in 5 countries. Our core mission is our responsibility to create breakthrough innovations for GE across all phases of patient care while driving design & design culture across the corporation. We believe in gaining insights and empathy through cross-industry fertilization and experiences, and as such we actively seek to engage non-healthcare GE businesses to incubate new ideas and connections.

Announcing our Mentorship Program!

Sat, 04 May 2013 13:55:38 -0500

We are excited to announce the launch of the Startup Milwaukee Mentorship program!

The program is designed to support entrepreneurs who are starting technology and technology-enabled service businesses in Southeastern Wiscosnin by connecting entrepreneurs to mentors from the entrepreneurial, corporate, investment and academic communities.

If you are an entrepreneur or mentor who would like to participate in the program, click here!

Midwest Social Innovation Start-Up Challenge

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:50:00 -0500

IDEAS? This challenge is an opportunity for students or aspiring entrepreneurs to submit a business model that includes social or environmental impact that makes the world a better place! The challenge is open to any ambitious team or individual who has an idea to create positive social change. Register here by May 20^th. Entering is free and easy — and you may enter as many ideas as you like. Please include a description of the problem you’re solving, the solution you propose and the sustainability (financial, repeatable, scalable) of your idea. Examples of social innovation start-ups: Dell Social Innovation Challenge Winner

PITCH: The Midwest Social Innovation Start-Up Challenge is one of many Flying Car Innovation Week events in Milwaukee, June 1 -10, 2013. Up to 20 teams/individuals will be selected to present at June 6^th, at ManpowerGroup World Headquarters.

WIN! 3-5 winning groups will share $15,000 in cash, present their start-up idea at the evening reception, participate in summer workshops and mentoring, receive complimentary tickets to the Flying Car Gala, and advance to the Brady Midwest Regional Championship in August.

CELEBRATE: The challenge will provide excellent networking and learning opportunities with business executives, funders, mentors, local entrepreneurs, and prominent national figures in social innovation. Join us for the evening reception (open to the public) to showcase the semi-finalist winners at The WhereHouse.

@MUSocInnovation @FlyingCarMKE #FlyingCarMKE

facebook.com/MUSocE facebook.com/FlyingCarMKE

Questions? Elise.chapman@marquette.edu

The Midwest Social Innovation Start-Up Challenge is presented by the Marquette Social Innovation Initiative in collaboration with the Brady Corporation, The Business Journal, Cardinal Stritch University, Dell Inc.,Greater Milwaukee Committee (MiKE), Johnson Controls, MIAD, MSOE, and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and parallels the national platform founded by Dell Inc. and the University of Texas – Austin.

Startup of the Week: Okanjo

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:01:00 -0500

Okanjo (oh-kahn-jo), which means “checkout” in Japanese, connects buyers, sellers and communities with the things they care about. Headquartered in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, Okanjo launched on February 1. The site is a national platform, like eBay, with the locality of Craigslist, featuring a secure transactional platform. Okanjo also makes giving easy by providing sellers the opportunity to donate a portion or all of their proceeds from sales to any cause that they care about. To start selling easier and buying happier, visit www.okanjo.com.

National author, coach, and speaker Susan K. Wehrley launches her fifth book, Ignite “The Plan” May 3rd

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:08:00 -0500

Susan K. Wehrley’s fifth Ignite “The Plan” is an incredibly powerful true story about her journey with George Dalton, former CEO of the Fortune 500 company that brought us online banking. Throughout their journey for survival-he for 7 months in the ICU, she for the life of her newly born business-each came to realize the American Dream was not about the accumulation of wealth or even working a plan for a particular outcome. It was about learning how to receive and Ignite “The Plan” so each could claim his or her life, live free of fear, and choose to be happy regardless of the circumstances.

Wehrley, a nationally known strategic planning consultant and executive coach, and Founder and CEO of BIZremedies, gives the reader a step-by-step map to navigate their way out of lack, frustration, disappointment, and stress so you can more efficiently achieve any goal. By following “The Plan,” which empowers us to shift from fear to a life of freedom and happiness, we can go about our life and work with less stress. By letting go of our E.G.O.—Edging Out God-and connecting to our Spirit before executing, we can each develop the Entrepreneurial Spirit within that allows us to move forward in a more empowered way, regardless of our circumstances or position.

John E. Schlifske, chairman and CEO of Northwestern Mutual who reviewed the book said, “Susan shows us how to take the E.G.O. out of work, and our lives, so we can create a more entrepreneurial culture that ignites enthusiasm and drives results!”

Wade Mauland, Campus Executive and Professor at Ottawa University, said this after previewing Wehrley’s book, “Filled with entrepreneurial spirit, Susan conveys in a compelling and provocative way the trials and tribulations inherent in starting your own venture. Witty, wise and wonderfully endearing, this insightful book will resonate with you, whether you’re an experienced veteran or someone who wants to create your own enterprise. You can achieve your dream by using “’The Plan’ as your roadmap to success.”

Ottawa University’s Brookfield campus, 245 S. Executive Drive, is hosting the launch for Wehrley’s new book, Friday, May 3, 2013 from 3-5 PM. The event is free and will include a one-hour talk by Wehrley. In addition, Wehrley is offering a nationwide book promotion that includes $1,000 of consulting and vendor services from varying consultants when you buy the book for $19.95 on Amazon.com on May 3rd (you do not have to be present at the event to take advantage of the book promotion). The promotion also includes a one-month free membership to BIZremedies’ Leadership Hub with Wehrley’s patented online planning software and follow-up book webinars to Ignite “The Plan.” You can learn more about the event and book promotion at www.IgnitethePlan.com.

Scale Up Milwaukee Launch Event

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:24:59 -0500

This is an amazing event coming up on May 6. We hope to see the Startup Milwaukee community there!

From MiKE — Innovation in Milwaukee:

A few weeks ago we announced Scale-Up Milwaukee, an entrepreneurship ecosystem project, spearheaded by WEDC, WHEDA, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the City of Milwaukee, the Greater Milwaukee Committee, American Express OPEN and Dan Isenberg from Entrenreurship Policy Advisors.

We just concluded an initial site visit in Milwaukee on April 15-17 where intense discussions were held with groups of entrepreneurs, financial services experts, municipal leaders, investors, university educators and entrepreneurship supporters, regional and state agencies, directors of co-working spaces and entrepreneurship development organizations - a total of over 50 people. They voiced problems and frustrations as well as success stories and aspirations.

We’re now gearing up for a public launch event on May 6, 5:30 - 8:00PM at the University Club.

Although a robust entrepreneurship ecosystem takes years to fully evolve, in the coming weeks and months, including May 6, groups of local stakeholders will be engaged to propose very specific activities that can be implemented in a matter of months. Since the Milwaukee region already has some programs which support growth entrepreneurship, Scale-Up Milwaukee will complement and support existing efforts as much as possible, while proposing new activities and helping to develop synergies among them.

Please join us on May 6 at 5:30pm to continue the conversation. Space is limited and allocated on a first come basis so register today:

Register Now!

I can’t make it

The event will also be live cast for those who cannot make it. We hope to see you there!

What is Scale-Up Milwaukee?

Scale-Up Milwaukee is an ambitious, multi-stakeholder effort to catalyze entrepreneurial growth in the Milwaukee region by helping entrepreneurs scale their business ventures. “Help” does not mean conducting any one program or copying a model from somewhere else. Instead, it means facilitating a “home-grown” entrepreneurship ecosystem that includes social norms and climate, role models, support institutions, networks, educational programs, appropriate policies, involvement of investors and other providers of capital, smoother access to corporate and other markets - all working within an aligned vision of growth and what entrepreneurship is, and coordinated to create and exploit synergies among the domains of the ecosystem.

Entrepreneurship Policy Advisors, a consulting group affiliated with Babson College Executive Education, provides the professional guidance and facilitation to Scale-Up Milwaukee. Scale-Up Milwaukee is actively supported by a new national initiative, OPEN for Enterprise: Coalitions for High Growth Entrepreneurship, commissioned by American Express OPEN to help U.S. cities with strong but untapped growth potential connect a diverse group of stakeholders to stimulate, support and “scale-up” new and existing entrepreneurial ventures.

Learn More: www.ScaleUpMilwaukee.org

Startup of the Week: The Good Jobs

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:01:24 -0500

The Good Jobs™ is the first ever Company Culture Directory and showcases a company’s culture so job seekers can learn the inside scoop that companies offer their employees. Talented and discerning job seekers have choices and want to work for a company that offers a job that matches their own personal work and life style. The Good Jobs Company Profiles provide details about programs, activities, and perks that local and national employers offer to their employees…no corporate speak allowed. Job seekers can find Company Profiles on the Culture Directory, review The Good Jobs’ seven Culture Badges and connect to that company’s job listings.

For employers, The Good Jobs is a marketing platform that turns their company culture into a competitive recruiting advantage. Every company has a unique story to tell. Companies utilize The Good Jobs Badges to enhance all their marketing channels…job postings, social media, job seeker emails, career site, and other communication and outreach. Job seekers “click” on the Badge(s) and are taken to the company’s “Profile” that details the specific employee programs, activities and amenities as well as general information about the company, social media links, employee testimonials, news and awards. The Good Jobs is the first Company Culture Directory.

Intern with Startup Milwaukee

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:43:00 -0500

College students, this is your chance to be in the center of Milwaukee’s tech startup scene. Startup Milwaukee is seeking an intern with an interest in startup companies/entrepreneurship, nonprofits, marketing, writing, technology and/or event planning. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from and network with startup founders, emerging tech companies and nonprofit leaders in the community.

Duties & requirements include:

Assist in planning, promoting and managing Startup Milwaukee events
Provide support to the Startup Milwaukee team on special projects and initiatives
Help manage Startup Milwaukee’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
Writing and researching content for the Startup Milwaukee blog
Attend community events related to entrepreneurship and technology

Qualifications:

Strong written and verbal communication skills
Student must be pursuing a degree in business administration, communications, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, writing/public relations or other related field

This is a for-credit internship and requires a time commitment of 10 hours per week. Please submit your résumé to info@startupmke.org.

Photos from the Startup Milwaukee March Meetup — Nightstir,...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:57:39 -0500

Matt and LeMarc address the crowd

Heather Johnston, Founder of Find My Spot, discusses her startup that helps renters find their dream apartments. Learn more about Find My Spot at http://www.findmyspotmilwaukee.com

Ryan Konicek and Brandon Alberti (of Tappr) discuss their experiences and findings from SXSW

Photos from the Startup Milwaukee March Meetup — Nightstir, Brighter12, Tappr & more

(MAJOR thanks to Clarissa Rodriguez Photography. You rule!)

Thank you!

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:18:00 -0500

Thank you gener8tor for hosting a fabulous meetup last night! It was a great way to celebrate the end of your very successful Winter 2013 Program. Congratulations to your entire winter class! They truly did a phenomenal job. All of us at Startup Milwaukee had a great time at the meetup. We love partnering with you guys, and can’t wait to see what the next gener8tor class has in store!

Internship Opportunities at Local Startups

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:41:00 -0500

We’d like to share two awesome summer internship opportunities at local startups with you:

Find My Spot, an apartment search startup is looking for a marketing intern. For a job description and details on how to apply, click here.
MSI Data, a field workforce automation software company, has a couple of paid marketing internships. To learn more and apply for their Content Marketing Internship, click here. If you’re interested in their Business Development internship, click here to apply.

If you are a startup with an internship job description, email matt@startupmke.org

Startup Milwaukee on Radio Milwaukee

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:49:00 -0500

88nine Radio Milwaukee profiled Startup Milwaukee this week in a community story segment, take a listen to the story.

Missed our February meetup featuring PKWARE & Viivo? Check...

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 19:13:00 -0600

Missed our February meetup featuring PKWARE & Viivo? Check out the video.

WePurchit is hiring a Ruby Developer!

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:27:00 -0600

At WePurchit we’re focused on making healthcare more affordable for a certain segment of consumers by using the power of group purchasing over the counter medications.

We are currently looking for developers who are communicative and work well with others.

WePurchit.com is an early stage startup backed by Assurant, Inc.

We are currently looking to hire a Ruby Developer with both Front and Back-End experience.

In addition, we are looking for someone who feels comfortable working in a collaborative work environment.

What you need for this position:

Background in Ruby on Rails
Experience with working with Mailchimp (or other email services)

What you’ll be doing:

Expand existing code base to deliver product to general consumers
Helping to develop with product strategy

What’s in it for you:

Competitive Salary

So, if you are a Ruby on Rails Developer with experience, please apply today!

Please send all resumes to Ryan Konicek (ryan.konicek@assurant.com) or tweet him @wikiryan

Looking forward to receiving resumes and going over the position in more detail.

Meet our new leadership team members!

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:46:00 -0600

Meet the latest additions to the Startup Milwaukee leadership team, Michael Anderson and Chelsey Orlikowski!

Michael Anderson joins Startup Milwaukee as Co-Organizer & Community Outreach Director. Michael is Founder of Loteek, a Milwaukee-based startup company that “brings the best stuff from local boutique businesses together in one place to create a digital main-street for shoppers to find the unique stores, items, and sales they love, in one easy-to-browse website.” Michael loves boating and the outdoors. He also enjoys the local dining scene, always looking for new restaurants to try in the Milwaukee area. (If you’re looking for great restaurant recommendations, Michael is the guy to ask!) Follow Michael on Twitter or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Chelsey Orlikowski joins the Startup Milwaukee team as an Advisor. She is an Account Coordinator at Core Creative, a Milwaukee-based marketing agency. She is also PR + Social Media Manager for Tappr, a local startup company that makes it easier for bar patrons to order drinks. In addition to marketing, Chelsey loves staying active, traveling and the Brewers. She also has an eye for graphic and web design. Follow Chelsey on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Welcome aboard, Michael and Chelsey!

Teammate needed for Go Green in the City challenge

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 23:22:36 -0600

Are you a student studying engineering or business? One of our new Startup Milwaukee members, Sid Parmar, is looking for a teammate (with a background in market research/finance) for a startup focusing on solar panel technology. This is for Schneider Electric’s “Go Green in the City” challenge.

Check out http://www.gogreeninthecity.com & tweet @sidharth_parmar if you’re interested. Thanks!

Thank you, and let's keep the conversation rolling!

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:28:24 -0600

Thanks to everyone who braved the weather and came to our meetup last night with PKWARE. We had a blast, and we hope you all did too!

The conversation is rolling on meetup.com, and we love it. If you came to the meetup last night and want to talk about it, join in on the conversation. We would love to hear from you!

Our next meetup is Tuesday, March 19 @ 6pm. We’ll be meeting at Translator. Details will be announced next week, so stay tuned!