Entrepreneurial skills accelerator The Commons has moved from Walker’s Point to the Ward4 co-working space in the Historic Pritzlaff Building near Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
The Commons was previously located in a 4,000-square-foot space at 170 S. First St., in the space above Colectivo. It will have less dedicated space at Ward4—three 10-foot by 12-foot offices—but will have access to a collaborative environment and shared conference, project and event spaces at a more affordable price, said Matt Cordio, co-founder and program director.
The Commons is a nonprofit venture founded last year by the Greater Milwaukee Committee’s Innovation in Milwaukee (MiKE) initiative and Startup Milwaukee, with foundational support from a host of academic institutions and businesses across southeastern Wisconsin. In April, it completed the pilot program of its 10-week mentor-driven, seed accelerator, through which entrepreneurial-minded college students can grow early-stage companies and connect with area corporations seeking talent.
“Immersing our students in the local startup and innovation community emerging at Ward4 is aligned with The Commons’ vision of attracting, developing and retaining the brightest entrepreneurial and innovative minds in Wisconsin,” Cordio said. “It was a no-brainer to locate here.”
Cordio said The Commons is now accepting applications for its next entrepreneurial skills accelerator program, which begins in mid-September. Up to 70 students will be selected to participate. More information is available at http://thecommonswi.com/getinvolved.
Ward4 officially opened on June 1 to offer co-working and private office space for startup companies. It has attracted several Milwaukee startups, including Bright Cellars, Scanalytics and OnKol.
