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Failing Forward: Building a Stronger Entrepreneurial Community

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 [...]

Failing Forward: Building a Stronger Entrepreneurial Community2025-11-05T14:02:59-06:00

A Day in the Life of a Founder

What it's like to be a HATCH or BEAR  finalist I arrive while the sky is still deciding between gold and indigo, the river breathing its cool across the street. The venue is a local treasure- a family-run roastery that turns into a candlelit listening room at night- brick walls warm with history, string lights threaded like constellations. It’s intimate the way a good idea is intimate: close enough to hear a heartbeat, big enough to hold a room’s attention. Name tag, handshake, another handshake. Early evening is for orbiting, they told us, and so I orbit: investors in soft blazers, judges with notebooks like shields turned into harps, mentors whose eyes crinkle with the kind of experience you can only earn by surviving. I mention my company in a sentence, then again [...]

A Day in the Life of a Founder2025-10-21T16:20:29-05:00

Sarah Kowal Blogging for CEDC-From Founder to Capital Connector: A Western Wisconsin Entrepreneur Comes Full Circle with BEAR ’25

When I was building WeatherVane Creamery (note: website intentionally frozen in time), I was trying to do more than just open a vibrant Wisconsin-themed deli in River Falls- I was painting a vision. I wanted people to see what I saw: a vital, community-centered, proudly Wisconsin space that could become something special right now, not “someday.”   And thankfully, people did see it. I built an advisory board of experts, restaurateurs, and dairy industry insiders. I crowdfunded. I launched investor dinners. I had the American Cheese Society's stamp of approval. I got a ton of media coverage. It was alive and moving, being the scrappy Western Wisconsin founder working tirelessly to rally Cheeseheads.   What I didn’t have… was a clear investor path. Ask any rural founder in these parts, and they’ll likely tell you a [...]

Sarah Kowal Blogging for CEDC-From Founder to Capital Connector: A Western Wisconsin Entrepreneur Comes Full Circle with BEAR ’252025-07-31T16:47:34-05:00

CEDC’s First Entrepreneur Showcase of 2025

We sincerely thank all of our CEDC investors who attended our first entrepreneur showcase in 2025; its success was truly remarkable. Special thanks to KYMA and their team for hosting us at their facility, allowing community leaders to discover the innovative manufacturing they bring to our community. We are fortunate to have them here. The morning started with Momentum West and the Chippewa Valley's Economic Development professionals gathering to collaborate and update each other on everyone's projects and activities that raise and improve Western Wisconsin's economy. Following the roundtable discussion, over forty community leaders enjoyed a complimentary taco bar lunch, after which they attended a KYMA company presentation by Frederik van Heerden. Van Heerden presented a high-level overview of the energy landscape to the CEDC stakeholders and business leaders, covering its historical context [...]

CEDC’s First Entrepreneur Showcase of 20252025-02-17T10:47:38-06:00

Economic Development Week: May 11th – 17th

Economic Development Week recognizes and honors the critical work of economic development professionals and organizations such as the CEDC. The week long event highlights the vital role economic developers play in creating jobs, advancing career opportunities, and enhancing community quality of life. The week serves as a platform to showcase innovative community leadership, celebrate achievements, and educate the public about the often unheralded work of economic development professionals who are instrumental in driving sustainable growth and prosperity. JOIN THE CEDC TO CELEBRATE ON FRIDAY, MAY 16th, 2025 FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING & CHARITY GOLF OUTING Stay Tuned for other CEDC events!

Economic Development Week: May 11th – 17th2025-04-15T12:19:27-05:00

HATCH 2023: Unveiling Winners and a Packed House at Chippewa Valley Startup Week

The fifth annual business pitch competition, HATCH An Idea Pitch Competition hosted by the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation, had a sold-out audience on Wednesday, November 15th, as a part of Chippewa Valley Startup week. The event showcased a lineup of contestants, and the winners have been officially announced, along with recognition for the collaborative efforts of community partners. Whitney Stuart of Half Moon Clay in Eau Claire secured the Grand Prize. Half Moon Clay, a community pottery studio envisioned by Whitney during the pandemic while learning pottery from YouTube, received $5,000 towards a new kiln slated to triple the business's current capacity. She also secured a guest appearance on the BEAR (Business Expansion AND Retention) Discussions Podcast. Red Letter Grant nominated Whitney and Half Moon Clay. Colin Bursik of Aqua Garden LLC, headquartered [...]

HATCH 2023: Unveiling Winners and a Packed House at Chippewa Valley Startup Week2023-11-21T18:08:19-06:00

Chippewa Valley Innovation Center (CVIC) Open House

In celebration of Wisconsin's MANUFACTURING MONTH, we welcome you to join us at CVIC for an Open House on Tuesday, October 10th from 11AM-2PM. CVIC is a manufacturing incubator and a vital resource to our community's startups and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Stop on by for lunch with Bubbles BBQ and to learn more about CVIC and what it has to offer.

Chippewa Valley Innovation Center (CVIC) Open House2023-10-05T00:36:32-05:00

Ethan Van Grunsven Wins Grand Prize at the 2022 CEDC’s HATCH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Chippewa Falls, WI – December 5, 2022 – Sconny Company, a Wisconsin Entrepreneur studying business at UW-Eau Claire, won the $5,000 at the 2022  and first place at the CEDC’s HATCH Business Pitch Competition. The Hatch event – a shark tank like business competition - held annually during Startup Chippewa Valley Week is aimed at encouraging Entrepreneurship and solidifying the region’s startup ecosystem. Ethan Van Grunsven, founder of the Sconny Company, an ambitious 19-year-old college student whose key objective is to offer chic, high-quality garments that represent Wisconsin without affiliations to universities or sports teams was chosen by a panel of five judges. Ethan plans to utilize the award money to increase production and brand recognition of his company. In addition, over 80 audience members voted for their choice [People’s Choice [...]

Ethan Van Grunsven Wins Grand Prize at the 2022 CEDC’s HATCH2022-12-05T15:50:09-06:00

All Businesses Start With An Idea

Chippewa Economic Development Corporation understands the importance of business startups and entrepreneurship and the role they play in the community. That's why for years the organization has organized and sponsored a business pitch competition where a good idea can earn entrepreneurs cash and prizes with the ultimate goal of furthering their business. This year there were over 25 requests for applications from entrepreneurs throughout the Chippewa Valley that showed interest in pitching their business idea to the audience. What is really cool is the number of people who have ideas and want to be entrepreneurs continue to grow each year. The CEDC Hatch - A Shark Tank-like event is obviously working and is enhancing our local entrepreneur ecosystem. From sauna rentals to pet devices, this year's Hatch event is on track to be [...]

All Businesses Start With An Idea2022-11-15T17:14:07-06:00

2022 HATCH Business PITCH Competition

Do you have a scalable business model that can reach high growth rates over time? Do you have a product or idea that can transform into a wide variety of products or a service that is specific to certain industries or markets? Investors are looking for exceptional teams and products that fit their investment criteria so they can make a return on their investment.

2022 HATCH Business PITCH Competition2023-03-16T12:41:05-05:00
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