MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Founder Factory has selected its inaugural cohort of high-growth startup companies to participate in the program’s first Stage 1 Pre-Accelerator. This cohort marks the beginning of a new founder development and technology commercialization pipeline for Southeast Wisconsin. The 10-week program is designed to help promising entrepreneurs reduce business model risk, validate market opportunities, and build the foundation necessary to pursue future investment and growth.
“Ignite Wisconsin was created to increase the density of high-growth startups across Wisconsin by expanding access to the resources, expertise, and connections entrepreneurs need to succeed,” said John W. Miller, WEDC Secretary and CEO. “Founder Factory is helping advance that goal by equipping promising founders with the tools and support needed to validate their business models, accelerate commercialization, and prepare for future investment and growth.”
Founder Factory was selected as part of WEDC’s Ignite Wisconsin Program to create a founder-centric pipeline designed to help entrepreneurs launch and scale high-growth ventures across Southeast Wisconsin. The Stage 1 Pre-Accelerator emphasizes business model optimization, founder development, and creation of an actionable roadmap and playbook for future growth.
“This inaugural cohort reflects the power of the partnership between WEDC and the UW’s OBE to invest in Wisconsin entrepreneurs,” said Margaret Ramey, CTC Director. “Through Founder Factory, these five promising companies are gaining access to the resources, mentorship, and networks needed to accelerate growth. We’re excited to build this start-to-funding pipeline to allow these founders to transform innovative ideas and technologies into successful businesses.”
Founder Factory Stage 1 Cohort Awardees
- HydraCore Technologies LLC is bringing to market a patented wearable vest that provides dynamic resistance during movement. The company is focused on helping people recover strength, balance, and mobility with applications in physical rehabilitation, healthy aging, and fitness.
- SeeMed, LLC develops, manufactures, and markets virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices for medical specialties, including Dental, Orthopedic Trauma, Cardiac, and Cancer applications. Both the VR and AR technologies are in the process of being AI-powered.
- Iova Labs is developing FREVR, a patent-pending microscope upgrade that helps researchers maintain focus with nanometer-scale precision. The technology has already been demonstrated on a commercial research microscope and could reduce failed imaging experiments while improving the quality of scientific and biomedical research.
- UbiWhite is a low-cost, clip-on smartphone attachment paired with an AI powered app that delivers a full quantitative white blood cell count, in ~60 seconds, without needles, labs, or trained staff. A user places their fingers on the device, and an AI algorithm extracts an accurate count and compensates for hand motion using the phone’s built-in sensors.
- Built-N-Bioassays LLC enables rapid chemical screening using a system of intelligent biosensors that combine genetically engineered algae with computer vision software and machine learning/AI-driven analytics. This platform will help agrochemical developers and water quality professionals accelerate chemical discovery, detect contaminants in water systems, and assess chemical safety.
“Choosing only five companies from a pool of 24 applicants was not easy,” said Brian Walsh, Founder Factory Director. “After getting to know the founders and their ventures, what stood out to me was not just the strength of their technologies, but their determination, openness to learning, and commitment to building companies that can create real-world impact. Each team is addressing an important problem and has demonstrated significant potential for growth. Through Founder Factory, we’re excited to support these founders as they strengthen their commercialization strategies, build momentum, and position themselves to compete successfully for larger sources of funding and future growth opportunities.”
Participants work through a structured curriculum focused on customer discovery, founder development, market validation, and business model refinement while receiving guidance from mentors and ecosystem partners.
“Great companies are built on evidence, not assumptions,” said Ilya Avedeev, Pre-Accelerator Co-Lead. “One of the biggest challenges for early-stage founders is determining which uncertainties matter most and then collecting the information needed to reduce those risks. Throughout Founder Factory, participants will engage customers, test their business models, and evaluate the real-world demand for their solutions. Our goal is to help founders leave the program with greater clarity, stronger evidence, and a more focused path toward commercialization and future investment.”
About Founder Factory
Founder Factory, part of WEDC’s Ignite Wisconsin Program, is a founder-centric venture development initiative designed to create a seamless pipeline for high-growth startups in Southeast Wisconsin. Through structured programming, non-dilutive funding, mentorship, stakeholder discovery, and founder development, Founder Factory helps entrepreneurs validate their markets, strengthen their business models, and prepare for future investment and growth opportunities.
About WEDC
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Learn more at https://wedc.org; follow WEDC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisconsin-economic-development-corporation/.
About Wisconsin CTC
The Center for Technology Commercialization is part of the Universities of Wisconsin Office for Business & Entrepreneurship. CTC provides one-on-one expert consulting to early-stage emerging technology businesses throughout Wisconsin. CTC has collaborated in acquiring more than $140 million in federal and other funding for clients. Learn more at www.wisconsinctc.org; follow @WisconsinCTC on X and Bsky.
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