Polco
Funding Round in 2019
Polco is a company that enhances communication between local officials and constituents through its online platform, which offers verified surveys, polls, and analytics. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin, Polco provides its services to various entities, including cities, counties, school districts, and news media organizations. The platform facilitates citizen engagement by integrating local and national legislation with opportunities for voting and crowd-sourced political commentary. By offering tools for online polling and comprehensive survey research, Polco aims to modernize civic interaction and improve the effectiveness of governance through better-informed decision-making and feedback mechanisms.
PAXAFE
Pre Seed Round in 2018
Paxafe Inc., established in 2018 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specializes in developing hardware and software solutions for secure packaging and supply chain management. The company offers Internet of Things (IoT) enabled products that are reusable, traceable, and secure, designed to protect high-margin freight from theft and chain-of-custody failures. Paxafe's solutions cater to various industries such as jewelry, luxury watches, diamonds, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and more. Its AI-enabled risk management platform integrates telematics and other data sources to predict adverse supply chain events, enabling intelligent cargo insurance and improving operational efficiencies for shippers, carriers, and insurance providers.
YachtLife
Venture Round in 2018
YachtLife is an innovative mobile app that revolutionizes the luxury yacht chartering experience by allowing users to easily compare prices and book yachts worldwide directly from their iOS or Android devices. The platform features a curated selection of high-quality yachts and experienced crews, ensuring an exceptional charter experience. Users can create a YachtLife profile to browse a global fleet of over 500 yachts available in more than 25 markets, including popular destinations like Miami, the Hamptons, the Bahamas, Mykonos, Italy, and Ibiza. The app streamlines the booking process, eliminating the need for phone calls or negotiations, as it provides transparent pricing and terms. Once a user reserves a yacht, YachtLife's charter specialists confirm the booking, catering to specific requests such as date, duration, pickup time, and guest count. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive service, YachtLife makes luxury yacht chartering more accessible and efficient.
Replenish
Venture Round in 2017
Replenish is a manufacturer specializing in self-cleaning blenders designed for the quick preparation of healthy smoothies and snacks. The company offers conveniently pre-packaged cups filled with a variety of hyper-fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. These ingredients are flash-frozen at peak ripeness to ensure they maintain their optimal vitamins and nutrients, providing users with all-natural produce at its best. By combining modern technology with a focus on health and convenience, Replenish aims to simplify the process of enjoying nutritious snacks in both home and office settings.
Bright Cellars
Funding Round in 2017
Bright Cellars Inc. is an online wine club that specializes in delivering personalized wine selections to its members through a monthly subscription model. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company utilizes a machine-learning algorithm that analyzes user responses from a questionnaire to recommend wines tailored to individual tastes. This approach not only helps new wine drinkers explore and refine their preferences but also creates an educational experience around wine appreciation. Bright Cellars allows users to receive curated wine deliveries at their doorstep each month and offers options for gifting selections to others. The company aims to inspire a new generation of wine enthusiasts by providing a transformative and personalized experience.
C-Motive
Funding Round in 2017
C-Motive Technologies Inc. is a cleantech startup based in Madison, Wisconsin, founded in 2012, that specializes in the development and manufacturing of innovative electric motors. The company has created a unique electrostatic motor technology that operates using static electricity, eliminating the need for rare earth materials and significantly reducing copper usage. This advanced motor design delivers high torque density suitable for various applications, including industrial use and e-mobility, while also contributing to lower carbon emissions. C-Motive's motors utilize lightweight metals, plastics, and dielectric materials, offering twice the power at half the weight compared to traditional electric motors. With a focus on efficiency, their technology boasts over 90% efficiency in direct drive and low-speed applications, positioning C-Motive at the forefront of sustainable motor solutions.
Re Mixers
Seed Round in 2016
Re Mixers, Inc. is a manufacturer based in Madison, Wisconsin, specializing in products designed for dispensing two-part adhesives. Founded in 2013, the company offers static mixing nozzles, which are essential consumables that enhance the automation of assembly lines for advanced manufacturers. Their patented Xemex Nozzles are recognized for their efficiency and ease of integration into automated systems, ensuring reliable performance in industrial applications. By optimizing the mixing process, Re Mixers' products help minimize waste of expensive materials, making them a valuable asset in manufacturing environments. The company is currently experiencing significant growth, reflecting its commitment to innovation and supply-chain reliability in the adhesive industry.
Scanalytics
Seed Round in 2016
Scanalytics Inc. is a technology company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, founded in 2012. It specializes in developing software solutions and smart floor sensors that monitor and analyze customer behavior in physical locations such as retail stores, tradeshows, and medical facilities. By utilizing proprietary technology, Scanalytics passively collects data on consumer movements, including where individuals walk, stop, and how long they linger in specific areas. This information is automated and analyzed to provide actionable insights that help businesses enhance customer engagement, predict shopping patterns, and improve in-store conversion rates. The company's tools enable clients to optimize their operations, space utilization, and marketing strategies, thereby enhancing efficiency and profitability in various environments.
Understory
Series A in 2016
Understory, Inc. is a weather infrastructure and analytics company that specializes in real-time datasets and graphical representations of weather events, focusing on their impact at the earth's surface. Founded in 2012 and based in Madison, Wisconsin, Understory builds and operates networks of patented RTi weather stations capable of measuring weather conditions such as rain, hail, wind, temperature, and humidity with high precision. These stations transmit data wirelessly and operate maintenance-free, providing advanced analytics for insurance companies, property owners, and educational institutions. Understory's solutions include detailed reports on hail, wind, and precipitation events, enabling clients to better understand and manage weather-related risks. The company's innovative technology has the potential to transform global weather understanding and assist businesses in mitigating the financial impacts of climate change.
Safelumin
Seed Round in 2016
SafeLumin is a company specializing in consumer emergency lighting solutions. Founded in 2015, the business focuses on providing instant and safe backup lighting during power outages or natural disasters. Their primary product is an innovative light bulb designed for home use, offering similar emergency lighting options typically found in commercial buildings. SafeLumin's products are engineered to conserve battery life by allowing users to turn the lights on and off as needed, with a duration of up to three hours, ensuring sufficient time for emergency arrangements while promoting energy conservation.