A statewide coalition led by the Wisconsin Technology Council has been awarded an Ignite Wisconsin grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) to strengthen Wisconsin’s frontier technology and startup ecosystem.
The Wisconsin Frontier Technology Consortium brings together the Wisconsin Technology Council, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, gener8tor, Waukesha County Technical College and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.
The partnership was formed to align research institutions, startup accelerators, technical colleges and industry networks around the development and commercialization and scaling of emerging technologies.
The Ignite Wisconsin grant will support the launch of the Wisconsin Frontier Technology Platform, a coordinated statewide initiative focused on advancing innovation in sectors such as advanced materials, advanced sensing, artificial intelligence, energy storage, intelligent systems, robotics and quantum computing and sensing.
Under the grant, the consortium will implement several integrated programs, including a Frontier Technology Lab to connect university researchers with industry partners; a Frontier Technology Accelerator to support early-stage, high-growth startups; regular roundtable convenings to address ecosystem needs and collaboration opportunities; and a technical assistance grant fund to help researchers and entrepreneurs access commercialization resources.
“Frontier technologies like AI, robotics, advanced materials, and quantum computing represent some of the fastest-growing opportunities in today’s economy,” said John W. Miller, secretary and chief executive officer of WEDC. “By supporting the Wisconsin Frontier Technology Consortium, we’re ensuring Wisconsin’s researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders can work together to bring these breakthrough innovations to market. This effort will expand our startup pipeline, strengthen industry competitiveness, and position Wisconsin as a national leader in emerging technologies.”
“This consortium reflects Wisconsin’s collaborative approach to innovation,” said Maggie Brickerman, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. “By aligning our research strengths, startup support systems and industry networks, we can accelerate commercialization and support the growth of high-impact companies across the state.”
The project is scheduled to begin in March 2026 and run through May 2028, with activities taking place statewide.
The Ignite Wisconsin program supports initiatives that accelerate early-stage investment, expand technical assistance, and strengthen Wisconsin’s position as a leader in emerging technologies.
For more information, visit www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.
