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— This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Bethany Larsen, program manager for gener8tor’s gBETA Kenosha program.
Larsen, a Kenosha native, earlier this month was announced as the leader of the early-stage startup accelerator program. Funded by a grant to the city from the Workforce Innovation Grant Program, the gBETA chapter aims to support entrepreneurs in southeastern Wisconsin.
The seven-week program includes coaching services and access to a broad network of mentors, investors and corporate partners. Other chapters are located elsewhere in Wisconsin and across the country, with program alumni having raised more than $630 million in capital and creating more than 4,000 jobs.
Larsen discusses the impact of the program as well as some of the goals she’s hoping to accomplish.
“It really is there to help early-stage companies get to the point where they could be investment-ready,” she said. “In southeast Wisconsin, there’s a lot of companies out there that are stuck or don’t know how to translate their value in the language of investment.”
But with “even just a few strategy tweaks” combined with the gener8tor resource network and guidance, Larsen argues these businesses could “unlock so much potential.” She notes the program often helps entrepreneurs prepare for equity-based accelerator programs and further investment down the road.
“I want to work with our community partners to help put Kenosha on the map,” she said. “I want this to be a place that is known for creativity and as a place of opportunity. And for us, that starts with meeting local companies where they’re at, figuring out what they need.”
Listen to the podcast here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisbusiness-the-podcast-with-bethany-larsen-gbeta-kenosha/
See the full list of WisBusiness.com podcasts: https://www.wisbusiness.com/category/podcast/
See more on the program: https://www.gener8tor.com/gbeta/kenosha
— In the latest episode of “WisBusiness: the Show,” Matthew Pearlson of Intrnls talks about producing next-generation carbon-capture filters that are up to four times more efficient than filters used today.
Pearlson says the startup company aims to create “the world’s most efficient” carbon-capture filters, noting existing options were designed nearly 100 years ago. He touts the company’s “state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing,” advanced materials and novel designs as a significant upgrade.
Intrnls is currently expanding its operations and eyeing new hires to keep up with demand, Pearlson said. The business is based in the village of Wales, in Waukesha County.
“It’s an exciting point and I’m really glad to be in Wisconsin,” he said.
The show also previews upcoming events from the Wisconsin Technology Council.
Watch the full episode here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisbusiness-the-show-with-matthew-pearlson-of-intrnls/
— November home prices in Wisconsin rose another 7.7% over the year as listings and sales both declined, according to the latest Wisconsin Realtors Association report.
The state’s median home price climbed to $280,000 last month from $259,900 in November 2022. The report notes “consistently strong home price appreciation” combined with higher mortgage rates have offset increases in family income seen over the past year.
Meanwhile, monthly home sales fell 3.4% over the year in November, from 5,484 to 5,297.
“This marks the second consecutive month with the annual sales reduction in single digits, reflecting a gradual decrease in the rate of decline,” report authors wrote. “This is the lowest annual rate of decline since May 2022 when sales fell 3.2%.”
And total statewide listings declined 2.4%, going from 16,481 to 16,091. Still, overall inventory levels saw a 20% improvement over the year, from 2.5 months to 3 months of inventory.
WRA President and CEO Mike Theo notes the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has been above 7% since mid-August though rates have been falling since peaking in October. After reaching 7.79% at its peak, the rate dipped to 7.44% in November, the report shows.
“Hopefully that continues because high rates effectively price many first-time buyers out of the market, and high rates also keep potential sellers from listing their homes, especially if they have an existing mortgage at a very low rate,” Theo said in the report.
See the release:
See the full report: https://www.wra.org/HSRNov2023/
— Wisconsin unemployment rose slightly to 3.3% in November, even as the state hit another record high for total nonfarm jobs.
That figure hit 3,020,300 last month, marking an increase of 32,300 over the year, according to the latest figures released by the state Department of Workforce Development.
DWD Economist Scott Hodek yesterday highlighted an increase in retail jobs, noting hiring for the holiday season is helping to boost that number. Retail trade employers added 1,800 jobs over the year, the DWD release shows.
“The Census bureau recently released their advanced monthly retail and food sales, and that was up 4.1%, which beat inflation, which was 3.1% roughly over the time period,” he said during a DWD briefing. “So even though we’ve seen consumer spending slow a little bit, it’s still an upward trend. And if we take those numbers together, it does seem like a pretty positive holiday season for retail.”
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate rose 0.1% over the month but remained below the national rate of 3.7% for November.
And Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate also rose 0.1% to reach 65.9% last month, which is 3.1% higher than the national rate of 62.8%.
See the release: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/press/unemployment/2023/231221-november-state.pdf
— Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, has appointed Rep. Samba Baldeh to replace Rep. Francesca Hong on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Neubauer in a statement said Baldeh, D-Madison, knows the challenges and opportunities that come with doing business in Wisconsin, noting his experience as a software engineer and small business owner.
Baldeh in a statement thanked Neubauer for appointing him and Hong, D-Madison, for her service to the board.
“As the Assembly Democrats’ representative to the Board, I promise to continue to serve as a voice for our underrepresented communities and to bring a diverse and globally-oriented viewpoint to the Board of Directors,” Baldeh said.
See Baldeh’s statement: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/rep-baldeh-statement-on-appointment-to-wedc-board-of-directors/
See Neubauer’s statement: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/rep-neubauer-appoints-rep-baldeh-to-wedc-board-of-directors/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— The Carbone Cancer Center in Madison is testing a new immunotherapy treatment for glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer.
And Sheboygan County DA Joel Urmanski said he plans to ask the state Supreme Court to directly hear his appeal of a ruling that an 1849 law doesn’t ban consensual abortions, saying it would be best for the state if the justices settle the issue “immediately.”
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#TOP STORIES#
# Microsoft closes land deal for billion-dollar data center construction
# Wisconsin’s labor force has grown by more than 78,000 in past year
# Madison’s Black Business Hub discovered inspiration at Sherman Phoenix
#TOPICS#
# ADVERTISING
– Zizzo Group acquires Milwaukee-based communications agency Celtic
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Consolidation, immigration, farm bill – WI farmer woes
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1101&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Developer proposes 460 housing units on Pewaukee golf course site
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– Wisconsin’s best coffee? Trade magazine issues nearly perfect score to Madison roaster
– What does a $1,000 tip mean to a Waukesha restaurant server? Quite a lot, for sure.
– This local roastery just opened a new coffee shop in Black Creek
# HEALTH CARE
– State health care scholarship would apply only to dentistry students in proposed amendment
– Wisconsin veterinarians are still stumped by the mysterious dog illness going around
# INVESTING
– Waupaca Foundry sold to private equity firm
# LEGAL
– Wisconsin will get part of a $700 million settlement with Google following misconduct lawsuit
– Florence Hardwoods says it has ‘no choice’ but to publicly deny OSHA’s allegations after 16-year-old died
# MANAGEMENT
– Suzanne Kelley retiring from Waukesha County Business Alliance, successor selected
# MANUFACTURING
– Waupaca Foundry to be acquired by New York investment firm
# POLITICS
– GOP lawmakers press Evers’ appointees to DNR board on wolf management, PFAS cleanup
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1099&yr=2023
– Republicans eyeing tax cuts for Wisconsin retirees in 2024
# RETAIL
– Kwik Trip to invest $151M in expansion to boost company’s continued growth
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>