Emerging Industries | Venture Capital
Co-Founder, Milwaukee Venture Partners
Director, UWM Business Innovation Incubator | Milwaukee
Matthew Friedel is a senior lecturer in University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Information Studies, co-founder of its Disruptive Technologies Laboratory and director of a new business innovation incubator at UWM designed to prepare startups for angel and venture capital funding. Separate from UWM, Friedel is a founder of angel investing network Milwaukee Venture Partners and an angel investor with Silicon Pastures Angel Investment Network.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; master’s and MBA, Marquette University
Top of your bucket list: “My goal over the next 10 years is to visit at least 100 countries. I have been fortunate to visit 30 amazing countries on my bucket list. Many more incredible places to visit and amazing people to meet!”
Book recommendation: “‘The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy.’ The book taught me true millionaires don’t spend on extravagant material possessions but rather they are relatively frugal and value people (family and friends) and experiences.”
Hobby/passion: “Run, bike, swim. I am a three-time marathon runner and four-time triathlete. I exercise every day for fitness and mental health. I love the Oak Leaf Trail, and you will see me on it daily.”
Favorite destination: “Egypt: Cairo, Luxor, and Abu Simbel. It’s hard to describe the experience of entering the Great Pyramid of Giza (3,000 years old) in Cairo, touring the Abu Simbel temples, and taking a hot air balloon over Luxor, ‘The Ancient City.’”