THU AM News: TitletownTech invests in Madison-based fusion energy startup; Visit Milwaukee rolls out plans for new TV show

December 5, 2024

— Green Bay venture capital firm TitletownTech has announced an investment in Realta Fusion, a Madison-based startup developing fusion energy technology.

Yesterday’s announcement touted the startup’s “modular compact magnetic mirror” technology, which confines high-temperature plasma between two superconducting magnets. The powerful magnetic fields cause charged particles to bounce back and forth within the machine, in what’s known as the “mirror effect.”

TitletownTech says the technology “delivers clean, always-on energy,” offering a carbon-free energy source for powering various industries, including large data centers. The announcement focuses on the technology’s scalability for such applications.

“Fusion energy is not just an exciting possibility, it’s a necessary part of our energy future,” TitletownTech Managing Partner Craig Dickman said in a statement. “Realta stands at the intersection of clean energy innovation and the growing energy demands of AI, showcasing how Wisconsin can lead in creating solutions to global challenges.”

TitletownTech’s investment in Realta Fusion aligns with several of its key investment pillars: agriculture, water and energy; and emerging technologies.

A spokesperson for the VC firm — a partnership between Microsoft and the Green Bay Packers — declined to provide specifics on the investment but noted its check sizes range from $100,000 to $2 million. Its assets under management total $95 million, the spokesperson said in an email.

Kieran Furlong, co-founder and CEO of Realta, says the support from TitletownTech and other investors “not only validates our approach but also provides us with the strategic resources needed to address one of AI’s biggest challenges: energy consumption.”

The investment announcement comes after UW-Madison earlier this year announced a fusion device co-operated by Realta Fusion and the university generated plasma for the first time, calling it a “major milestone” for the Department of Energy-backed project. The university’s Wisconsin High-field Axisymmetric Mirror, or WHAM project, forms the basis of Realta Fusion’s technology.

See the release and find more information on Realta Fusion’s technology.

— Visit Milwaukee has announced a partnership with local sports marketing agency Team Lammi, which includes a new TV show called “Milwaukee Made.”

The tourism organization previously produced a video series under that name. The new TV show is slated to air in “roughly a dozen” markets in the Midwest in late spring 2025, according to yesterday’s announcement.

The first three episodes will focus on Milwaukee’s basketball culture, beverage industry and the city’s live entertainment and performing arts community. Producing partners will also publish additional features and long-form interviews with guests on digital and social media.

The show will be filmed and edited by Kingdom Filmworks and hosted by Milwaukee-based event planner David Caruso of Dynamic Events. It will be executive produced by Mark Kass, former editor of the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee, says the show will promote the city as a “must-visit” destination.

“This show provides a platform to celebrate Milwaukee’s incredible culture, history, and innovation, showcasing what makes our city so special … we are confident this show will drive increased awareness of and visitation to Milwaukee in key markets,” she said in a statement.

The announcement also notes Visit Milwaukee and Team Lammi will be promoting Milwaukee during the April 2025 NFL Draft, seeking to capitalize on the “spotlight and tourism generated by the numerous major sporting events” happening in the state next year.

See the release.

— Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health Kids have announced a new partnership aimed at improving treatments for congenital heart disease, called the Forward Pediatric Alliance.

The joint effort, which begins Jan. 1, is meant to help both health systems reach more patients, advance related research and attract more health professionals to work in Wisconsin, according to yesterday’s announcement. The partners have entered an initial 10-year agreement, with full implementation expected within three years.

Dr. Peter Bartz, co-director of the Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Wisconsin and professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said both health systems “have a strong history” of caring for kids with heart disease.

“By bringing the two organizations together, we can expand our knowledge and expand our reach across the larger geographic area,” he said in remarks provided by UW Health.

Under the alliance, some providers and staff may eventually provide care to patients at both organizations, the announcement notes.

“There’s a possibility if we have a special procedure that either the provider will go to the institution that is best served to provide the patient the care, or potentially have the patient go to the other institution,” he said. “But our whole goal is to get the right provider to the right patient at the right location.”

See more in the release.

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— The USDA has announced about $375,000 in rural development grant money for two recipients in Wisconsin.

Black’s Valley Ag Supply Inc. in Durand will use a $52,000 grant to install a new solar electric array, which is expected to save the company $7,800 in energy costs per year. It will be able to produce enough energy each year to power about 12 homes, according to a project overview from the agency.

Meanwhile, Newcap, Inc. in Green Bay wiill use its $320,000 grant to establish a revolving loan program for homeowners in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Shawano, and Vilas counties, including six tribal nations.

The grants are part of a $194 million round of funding announced by the USDA yesterday for projects in 14 states and Puerto Rico.

See the list of funded projects.

— Nick Novak is leaving his post handling communications for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce to become president of the Midwest Food Products Association.

The group yesterday announced Novak will succeed Jason Culotta, another WMC alum, who has served as president for the past six years.

Novak will start his new role Jan. 6.

Culotta next month will begin a new job with WDS Construction in Beaver Dam as the business development director for food.

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