Contact: Scott Resnick
Executive Director
phone: 608-807-7962
email: scott@startingblockmadison.org
Madison, Wis. – StartingBlock Madison (SBM) the unique, entrepreneurial hub supporting emerging companies is gaining momentum with two more prominent foundations making significant donations and Scott Resnick taking the role as executive director.
The newest supporters of StartingBlock Madison are the MG&E Foundation making a $150,000 donation and the Evjue Foundation donating $50,000 to the project.
Earlier this year, American Family joined the City of Madison and pledged a major investment toward construction of an entrepreneurial center consisting of up to 50,000 square feet.
StartingBlock plans to be part of a new building in the Capital East district of Downtown Madison. Construction is planned to begin in 2015 with occupants moving in at the end of 2016.
Scott Resnick as executive director
Scott Resnick, COO of Hardin Design & Development and former Madison city alder, was part of the original planning group for StartingBlock and has been a passionate advocate for the concept.
“Our innovative enterprise businesses are sending a clear signal that they value entrepreneurship and view it as a vital piece of the success for our region in their support of StartingBlock,” said Zach Brandon, Greater Madison Area Chamber of Commerce President. “A key element in growing entrepreneurship is spaces that are conducive to the economic gardening necessary to grow an economy. Scott Resnick, a passionate entrepreneur, is a perfect fit to implement this vision.”
“Scott is one of our most vocal champions promoting StartingBlock’s potential to help Madison attract more innovators and entrepreneurs,” said Terry Sivesind, president of the StartingBlock Madison board of directors.
Sivesind says Resnick is well-respected among diverse groups because of his civic work in the Madison area, and he is a young, successful business owner possessing the background and vitality that resonates with other entrepreneurs.
Resnick will serve as executive director supporting the SBM board of directors during this formative period of fundraising, organizational and operations development.
“StartingBlock will have an important impact on Madison,” Resnick said. “It’s inspiring to witness the center coming together – combining the energy of emerging entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills of other entrepreneurs. I’m very excited to help lead us moving forward.”
The center will also provide the space and resources (the starting blocks) entrepreneurs needed for success:
● Affordable, flexible office and co-working space
● Peer networking and mentoring
● Access to peers, mentors, investment and professional advisors (sponsors)
● Accelerator programs (i.e. gener8tor)
● Collaboration, meeting and conference space
● Educational programming, workshops and community-building events
● Sector67 community maker/hacker space
● Home for Capitol Entrepreneurs, a 300-member organization of founders/leaders of Madison area startups
By growing a vibrant, interconnected ecosystem from our existing entrepreneurial community, StartingBlock will be a place where entrepreneurs can:
● Turn innovative ideas into profitable businesses and accelerate job creation
● Grow our innovation culture into a startup hub
● Propel our technology, healthcare and creative digital sectors
● Spark our next generation of dreamers and inventors
The hub will also provide educational programs for teens and young adults interested in engineering, computer sciences, manufacturing and other skill sets critical for the future work force.
About StartingBlock Madison: Starting Block Madison (SBM) is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurism, education and economic growth in the Madison region. SBM’s origins date back to 2012 when a group of entrepreneurs and technology and civic leaders began to pursue the idea of a single location that offered the critical components needed by entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses, create jobs and stimulate the regional economy. In late 2013, the group officially formed StartingBlock Madison, Inc. as a Wisconsin non-stock corporation. Web: www.startingblockmadison.org; Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/StartingBlockMadison; Twitter: https://twitter.com/StartingBlockM
About Scott Resnick: Resnick is the Chief Operating Officer of Hardin Design & Development, a nationally recognized web and mobile application company providing enterprise solutions. The company was founded in 2008 and has grown to have an eight-figure revenue with offices in Madison and Dallas. Resnick is a founding member of Capital Entrepreneurs, a startup association with over 300 member companies in the region, and previously elected to the Madison Common Council. Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjresnick; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjresnick
