Startup Wisconsin Podcast
Startup Wisconsin Podcast
Podcast Description
Discover the untold stories of innovation across Wisconsin's growing tech startup ecosystem. From Madison to Milwaukee and everywhere in between, we go behind the scenes with the founders, investors, and community builders shaping Wisconsin's entrepreneurial future.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with entrepreneurs who are leveraging Wisconsin's unique advantages to build sustainable, impactful companies across industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture. You'll hear from ecosystem builders creating opportunities statewide, investors backing the next generation of Wisconsin companies, and community leaders connecting talent, resources, and ideas.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned founder, or simply curious about Wisconsin's startup scene, this podcast showcases the real stories of innovation happening right in our backyard.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various topics surrounding entrepreneurship and innovation, including episodes that explore new approaches to sales training, thought leadership strategies, community building in startups, and educational programs enhancing entrepreneurial practice. For instance, one episode discusses the innovative AI-powered sales training provided by Syrenn, while another features insights from Dan Fogarty on authentic thought leadership.
Discover the untold stories of innovation across Wisconsin’s growing tech startup ecosystem. From Madison to Milwaukee and everywhere in between, we go behind the scenes with the founders, investors, and community builders shaping Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial future.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with entrepreneurs who are leveraging Wisconsin’s unique advantages to build sustainable, impactful companies across industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture. You’ll hear from ecosystem builders creating opportunities statewide, investors backing the next generation of Wisconsin companies, and community leaders connecting talent, resources, and ideas.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned founder, or simply curious about Wisconsin’s startup scene, this podcast showcases the real stories of innovation happening right in our backyard.
Not every good business needs venture capital. Laura Strong of Valency Fund breaks down funding alternatives for Wisconsin startups in tech, manufacturing, and agribusiness.
Key Topics
→ Alternative financing: revenue-based financing, redeemable equity, structured exits
→ Why not every good business fits the venture capital model
→ The math behind VC fund expectations (10x returns in 3-5 years)
→ Wisconsin’s extended exit timelines and what it means for founders
→ How to match your capital type to your business model
→ Madison startup ecosystem dynamics
Segments
00:00 Intro
02:12 Laura’s journey from chemistry PhD to fund manager
04:45 Moving from biotech to health tech career
06:16 Why scientists rarely get into entrepreneurship
07:43 Why her investors would back her again after failure
09:21 The moment she realized Wisconsin needed different funding
11:03 2017 research on Wisconsin exits
12:17 How venture fund math actually works
13:49 Valency Fund’s multiple financing models explained
15:42 Advice for founders without revenue yet
18:31 Best fit companies for Valency
19:55 Most misunderstood aspect of raising funding
20:23 “Success is sale of the company. Hard stop.”
22:03 Do exited founders become angel investors?
23:49 Ad break
24:50 Challenges Wisconsin founders face raising capital
27:52 The “not enough ideas vs not enough capital” debate
31:06 Wisconsin’s lead investor problem
33:38 What founders should consider before taking capital
35:09 Wisconsin’s 15-year investment lifecycle
35:59 What else could change the funding landscape
37:22 Madison’s startup ecosystem strengths
39:11 Individuals as the real ecosystem catalysts
40:39 Opportunities in manufacturing and agribusiness
43:39 Teaching at UW Madison’s biotechnology program
44:36 Entrepreneurship lessons: “Nobody will pay you to solve that”
47:42 Future of innovation at UW Madison
48:43 UW Madison’s new entrepreneurship initiative
50:18 What’s next for Valency Fund
51:27 How to connect with Valency
Resources & Links Mentioned
UW Madison Master’s in Biotechnology Program
Connect with Laura Strong
🔻 Connect With Us 🔻
Subscribe to the Startup Wisconsin Newsletter
Upcoming Events (400+ every year)
https://www.startupwi.org/events
Follow us on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-wisconsin/
Interested in being a guest? Reach out!
Startup Wisconsin’s mission is to connect, educate, inspire, and grow tech startup communities across the state, not just during events, but year-round. This podcast is part of that vision, creating deeper connections and sharing the knowledge that helps Wisconsin’s startup ecosystem thrive.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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