BizStarts
Entrepreneurship resource center for underserved Wisconsin communities.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
$200k | Seed | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
BizStarts is a non-profit organization that provides free support to entrepreneurs in Southeastern Wisconsin, with a particular focus on underserved, minority, and women-owned businesses. Founded in 2008 by Dan Steininger and John Torinus, the organization was established to create a support system for new companies, helping them to refine business plans, find markets, and connect with funding. Steininger, who served as president for over a decade before stepping down in 2022, has a background in law and finance and has been a vocal advocate for innovation. Patrick Snyder, who joined as Executive Director in 2019, now leads the organization as President.
The organization's business model is centered on providing services at no charge to entrepreneurs. Its core offerings include one-on-one coaching, personalized mentoring, and connections to business resources. BizStarts has evolved its focus from high-growth startups to fostering entrepreneurship as a path to self-employment, especially in economically challenged areas. A key initiative is the BizStarts Institute, a program modeled on the work of University of Notre Dame professor Michael Morris, which provides experiential learning for entrepreneurs facing adversity. This includes specialized cohorts for Latino and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs and accommodations for those who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The organization also operates the BizStarts Community Market, a retail space for local entrepreneurs to sell their products directly to consumers.
Since its inception, BizStarts has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs and has had a significant impact on the local economy. In 2021, 92% of the businesses it helped were owned by people of color, and 83% were owned by women. The organization collaborates with various community partners, including AARP Wisconsin, and was recognized as a runner-up for the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Model Community Accelerator/Incubator Program.
Keywords: entrepreneurship support, small business coaching, Wisconsin non-profit, minority-owned businesses, women entrepreneurs, business mentoring, startup resources, economic development, community empowerment, underserved communities, business coaching, personalized mentoring, entrepreneurial training, Southeastern Wisconsin, free business services, business plan development, Latino entrepreneurs, new venture support, self-employment, business education