The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has given $50,000 to Gateway Technical College’s Launch Box Growth Accelerator program, a nonprofit that supports start-ups.
Gateway announced it had received the grant on the heels of the Kauffman Index of Growth Entrepreneurship’s 2016 release, which had Wisconsin and the Milwaukee metropolitan area slipping several spots in entrepreneurial growth rankings.
“We are thrilled to hear that Gateway received a second round of funding from the WEDC and continues to be a part of this statewide effort to increase entrepreneurship in Wisconsin,” said Gateway Launch Box director Thalia Mendez. “We know that there are many talented individuals in the Greater Racine area and beyond that will benefit from this programming.”
The Launch Box Accelerator, launched in 2012, puts 10 entrepreneurial teams at a time through a 12-week training and mentoring program that will help them develop and refine their business models. Each team that completes the program receives a $2,500 seed grant.
“Gateway Technical College is asserting its commitment to entrepreneurial development through efforts like the Launch Box program,” said WEDC Secretary and CEO Mark Hogan. “WEDC is pleased to partner with Gateway Technical College as we aim to support entrepreneurs and assist in the creation of the next generation of Wisconsin companies.”
The program will accept applications for its fall teams from June 7 to Aug. 26.
