Notable Leaders in Higher Education: Matthew Friedel

Class of 2023

Matthew Friedel has focused on building a strong tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wisconsin through his work as the director of the Business Innovation Incubator at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and as an angel investor with Milwaukee Venture Partners Inc. He is also a lecturer in UW-Milwaukee’s School of Information Studies. 

His emphasis has been teaching advance technology topics and entrepreneurship at UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University. His outside activities as founder of Milwaukee Venture Partners have helped support and fund several Wisconsin startup companies.

The Business Innovation Incubator is currently helping 10 startups acquire the skills needed to move their ventures forward. UWM students, faculty, alumni and members of the broader community were invited to participate in the 11-month program. The program will become an annual offering.

Growing a new venture and fund raising is a challenging endeavor, says Friedel. The incubator gives participants access to a network of successful investors and entrepreneurs for “custom consulting and mentoring” who greatly assist in this effort.  

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