Our entrepreneurial community is no stranger to big dreams—and equally big challenges. Picture this: a room buzzing with energy, not from polished pitches or victory laps, but from candid tales of ventures and business ideas that didn’t quite make it.

Prior to HATCH 2025, during the second week of November—Startup Week—CEDC is inviting founders, innovators, and supporters to a unique business celebration: a cocktail reception at EastBay Lodge in Lake Holcombe. Here, we’ll raise a glass not just to our successes, but to the lessons learned from failure.

Why does CEDC celebrate these business idea setbacks? Because failure is often the best teacher. When local entrepreneurs openly discuss projects that didn’t pan out, it fosters a culture of honesty, resilience, and shared learning. At CEDC, we believe innovation thrives in an environment where it’s safe to take bold risks—and safe to admit when things haven’t gone as planned. Owning these moments makes founders stronger and inspires others to learn, pivot, and move forward by “failing forward.”

What to Expect at This Reception (5–6 p.m., November 11)

The atmosphere will be lively and supportive, with entrepreneurs from across the Chippewa Valley connecting in a relaxed setting. Expect to meet and engage with a series of short “failure stories” from founders strategically placed around the room. They’ll share what went wrong, what they learned, and how those experiences shaped them into stronger leaders. The goal is to spark real conversations, new ideas, and deeper connections that strengthen our region’s startup ecosystem.

Celebrating failure breaks down barriers and builds trust across the business community, helping more ideas see the light of day. Learning from real-world setbacks helps both new and seasoned entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls and accelerates knowledge-sharing locally. By normalizing risk and recovery, our region becomes a place where more people feel empowered to pursue new ventures. Events like this foster collaboration, resourcefulness, and a competitive advantage here in the Chippewa Valley.

Let’s continue creating an ecosystem where success isn’t just measured by wins, but by what we learn together along the way. Raise a glass with us and help set a new standard for what it means to be a thriving entrepreneur in our community.

Request an invite

Founders (startup and otherwise): message us on our social channels or email

Sarah Kowal: sarah@sarahkowal.com
Casey Hedrington: staff@chippewa-wi.com
Capacity is limited; requests will be confirmed in the order received.
Optional: bring business cards or a one-pager to make follow-ups easy.

For more information on upcoming events and resources for founders, visit CEDC’s  Helping Entrepreneurs page on our website.