BizStarts Milwaukee: Initiative launched to promote, produce entrepreneurs

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Kristin Settle

Zizzo Group Advertising + Public Relations

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kristinsettle@zizzogroup.com

MILWAUKEE – Sept. 30, 2008 – The BizStarts Milwaukee board of directors today announced the beginning of a new organization called BizStarts Milwaukee, to foster and promote entrepreneurship in southeastern Wisconsin .

BizStarts Milwaukee’s goal is to launch or accelerate 50 new businesses by the end of 2010.

“Our region ranks among the lowest for business start-ups and job creation, and that has got to change,” said Dan Steininger, vice president of the new organization. “We have to stop grieving the loss of manufacturing jobs and move to new economic dynamics.”

BizStarts Milwaukee, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that will carry out four major initiatives, starting with a Web site (http://www.bizstartsmilwaukee.com) to link entrepreneurs to people and organizations that can help them find investors and finish their business plans.

“BizStarts Milwaukee is a network of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial resources designed to help emerging and existing companies jump-start their businesses. We want to build start-ups from the ground up,” said John Torinus, chairman of Serigraph, Inc. and president of BizStarts Milwaukee.

On hand for the announcement was Milwaukee serial entrepreneur George Dalton, as well as other prominent area entrepreneurs, several of whom sit on the BizStarts Milwaukee board of directors.

“ People who are passionate about an idea and willing to risk everything to set out on their own are real-life heroes. They are truly exciting people to be around,” said Dalton , chairman of NOVO 1.

“ Often, just a little helping hand at the right time from the right person can make all the difference. I know it did for me. And I especially hope that by keeping someone else’s spirit alive, we can hold onto them so they can become a vital part of Milwaukee ’s future,” he said.

BizStarts Milwaukee will include an initiative called Venture Track to fast-track high-growth start ups, as well as BizStarts Learn, to educate potential entrepreneurs, and BizStarts Buzz, designed to promote entrepreneurship in the seven-county M7 region.

“BizStarts Milwaukee will pull all the players together – from lawyers to accountants to mentors to investors to consultants – to help entrepreneurs in the region to develop and expand their new and existing businesses,” said Torinus.

About BizStarts Milwaukee, Inc.

BizStarts Milwaukee, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping create a vibrant, innovative and prosperous entrepreneurial business climate in the M7 region by inspiring, nurturing, connecting and celebrating entrepreneurs and their companies. It is led by a Governing Council of business professionals, including many great entrepreneurs of the region, and a 13-person board of directors.

For more information, visit http://www.bizstartsmilwaukee.com