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BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap- Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 2025 BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap-  Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment Holcombe, WI – Positioned at the forefront of Wisconsin’s growing startup success story, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation’s BEAR ’25 (Business Expansion and Retention Pitch Showcase) took place this week in Holcombe, bringing together second-stage companies and the investors, lenders, and business champions ready to fuel their next phase of growth. As a statewide initiative, BEAR was designed to address a persistent challenge: the lack of accessible capital for companies that have moved beyond early traction but need resources to scale sustainably. According to a recent report from the Wisconsin Technology Council, more startups across the state are entering a growth-ready phase, reflecting a shift from ideation to execution. However, this [...]

BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap- Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment2025-09-08T16:48:49-05:00

SBDC Celebrates New On-Campus Location at UW-Eau Claire

The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire has officially moved onto campus, making it easier for Blugold students and faculty to support entrepreneurs and drive small business growth throughout the Chippewa Valley. On June 5, the SBDC transitioned from its former location at 221 W. Madison St. to Schneider Hall, home of UWEC’s College of Business. To mark the occasion, the SBDC joined the College of Business, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, and Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce in hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) was proud to attend alongside community and business leaders to show support for this important partner. “We’re often described as one of UW-Eau Claire’s best-kept secrets when it comes to supporting small businesses,” said Harlie [...]

SBDC Celebrates New On-Campus Location at UW-Eau Claire2025-08-05T12:15:48-05:00

Berlin BEAR

On a snowy morning last week, Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) welcomed Nicola Michels, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)’s Trade Representative in Germany. Nicola is from Berlin, Germany, and is a WEDC consultant working to help Chippewa Valley businesses begin their exporting program. Berlin, Germany’s coat of arms is a bear, of course, so it was only fitting that she be the guest of a CEDC BEAR Discussion centering around exporting! Discovering the opportunities that Germany and the Broader European Market offer was the main topic of the CEDC BEAR discussion. BEAR, or Business Expansion and Retention, is the CEDC’s flagship economic development program and makes up about eighty percent of our efforts as an organization. Our BEAR Program is aimed at helping our existing businesses get the information and resources they need [...]

Berlin BEAR2022-01-19T14:19:00-06:00

Expand your Market: Learn about Doing Business in Central Europe

Are you a new or active exporter? Is your company looking to expand to new markets? Want to find opportunities for business growth overseas? Then this Business Expansion And Retention (BEAR) Discussion is for you! Join the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC), Momentum West, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for an interactive discussion, Q&A session, networking, and breakfast. Nicola Michels, the Senior Manager and Consultant at WEDC’s Trade Representative in Germany, is joining us to meet with Wisconsin businesses, answer questions, and discuss market opportunities in Europe (excluding the UK, France, Ireland, and the Benelux countries), with an emphasis on southern Germany and Austria. WEDC is planning a trade venture to that region with stops in Munich, Germany and Linz and [...]

Expand your Market: Learn about Doing Business in Central Europe2021-12-17T12:49:07-06:00
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