HATCH 2025 is back—and this year, we’re going all in on Wisconsin startups, inventions, and innovations! Whether you’re dreaming up your next big idea, cheering from the sidelines, investing in innovation, or shaping tomorrow’s economy, we want you in the room.

What is HATCH?

HATCH is a high-energy pitch event designed for early-stage entrepreneurs, inventors, and big thinkers who are ready to take their bold ideas to the next level. Whether you’re launching a scalable startup, developing a transformative product, or refining a unique service tailored to a specific market or industry, HATCH is your platform to shine. This event is specifically geared toward those who are in the testing phase—fine-tuning their go-to-market strategy and exploring viable sales channels. If your concept is built to grow, evolve, or disrupt, we want to hear from you.

Who Is HATCH For?

HATCH is Wisconsin’s idea-stage pitch showcase for early-stage entrepreneurs, first-time founders, inventors, and creative thinkers ready to test bold concepts and build momentum. It’s also for the investors, business mentors, community leaders, economic developers, educators, and innovation champions who believe in cultivating fresh ideas from the ground up. This year, we’re proud to place a spotlight on Veteran entrepreneurs as part of our broader celebration of innovation and leadership across all communities.

Whether you’re building a scalable product, exploring a new service model, or turning a big idea into a business reality, HATCH is the place to take your shot. Finalists will pitch in front of a live audience for prizes, visibility, connections, and ongoing support, as the community rallies around the next generation of Wisconsin entrepreneurs.

✨ Join us to celebrate creativity, courage, and the earliest sparks of entrepreneurial journeys. This is where big ideas begin.

To be eligible to apply for HATCH, your concept must be based in Wisconsin, and your idea or business must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• A scalable start-up, invention, innovation, or concept with the potential to achieve high-growth over time
• A product or idea that can evolve into a diverse product line or a specialized service targeting specific industries or markets
• A business or concept that is in the early stages of development and actively testing its go-to-market strategy and sales channels

Failing Forward: Invite-Only VIP Networking Reception

Founders know the truth: the fastest way to a better company is through the lessons that hurt. Join us for an invite-only, founder-first reception where investors and seasoned entrepreneurs open up about the misses, pivots, and near-misses that shaped their wins.

Who it’s for

– Startup and growth-stage founders (all industries)
– Sponsors, investors, and banks

When

– 4:45 PM: Arrive, grab a drink, get settled
– 5:00 PM: Facilitated introductions to spark quality connections
– 5:05–5:30 PM: Small-group conversations at investor/mentor-led tables on “founder fails” and what they taught us
– 5:30–6:00 PM: Conversations continue as the reception and doors open
– 6:00 PM: HATCH begins

What to expect

– No slides, no pitches—real talk in a supportive, off-the-record setting
– Candid lessons you can apply immediately
– Targeted introductions to investors, banks, and peers who get it

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.

SPONSORSHIPS

Email Casey at staff@chippewa-wi.com for sponsorship info.