This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Craig Dickman, managing partner for TitletownTech in Green Bay.
He discusses the venture capital firm’s recently announced TitletownTech Startup Draft, a nationwide pitch competition coinciding with the 2024 NFL Draft that’s offering a $1 million investment to the winning entrepreneur.
“First time the NFL has ever hosted the draft in Green Bay, and so it’s just a great opportunity where there will be hundreds of thousands of people and hundreds of media outlets here, covering Green Bay,” Dickman said. “And we hope to show some of the innovation that’s taking place right here in Titletown and in the Upper Midwest.”
The application deadline is this Sunday, and up to 10 finalists will gather in Green Bay in early April for the “Startup Combine.” This event will give them the chance to pitch to prospective customers and work together with potential advisors.
The winner will be announced in a live broadcast April 24, several hours before the NFL Draft begins. Along with the $1 million investment from TitletownTech, the winner will also get other resources from Microsoft and the opportunity to collaborate with partners at the Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab in Milwaukee.
Dickman notes the contest is limited to startups that haven’t taken more than $10 million in capital, reflecting the firm’s focus on early-stage companies.
The VC firm — which is backed by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft — is seeking applicants for the contest that are developing “emerging technologies” in key industries for Wisconsin, such as advanced manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, water, energy, digital health and sports.
“Those are really the sweet spot for TitletownTech, and so we’re certainly focusing and prioritizing those types of industries, because that’s where we can really unlock the unique power that’s the TitletownTech ecosystem and really help a company build,” Dickman said.
The podcast also highlights what firm leaders are hoping to hear from participating startups, the importance of building a sustainable enterprise and incorporating new technologies, the economic impact of the NFL Draft and more.
“Certainly it’s going to be the biggest event that Green Bay’s ever had,” Dickman said.
Listen to the podcast below, sponsored by UW-Madison:
