Author: Correspondent

Northwestern Mutual announced the grand opening of its innovation lab, Cream City Labs, located at the company’s downtown Milwaukee headquarters. The lab is designed to advance innovation, ideation and experimentation for employees and community partners, including local startups. “Cream City Labs demonstrates our commitment to providing our employees with skills, opportunities and space to innovate and embrace an entrepreneurial mindset as we work to transform how people experience financial security,” said Karl Gouverneur, vice president of digital workplace, corporate solutions and head of digital innovation at Northwestern Mutual. “The lab enables our employees to connect with digital innovators and...

Menomonee Valley Partners (MVP) announced the launch of a new brand and website at a luncheon with Valley businesses today. The new brand, including a new website for the district, TheValleyMKE.org, reflects the impact of 19 years of work to revitalize the Menomonee River Valley. A new logo, featuring the iconic 6th Street Bridge, includes bright colors representing the vibrancy of the Valley, which is home to 100 companies, 60 acres of parks and trails along the Menomonee River, and destinations that draw nearly 10 million people each year. “Our former brand and our Renew the Valley website were...

A new initiative of The Water Council will help water technology companies and large water users find new ideas, talent, and investment opportunities. The Water Council announced the launch on October 2 of its new Tech Challenge program, a series of global competitions to identify freshwater technologies and ideas with high potential for commercialization or implementation. Each Tech Challenge is designed around a single, specific topic identified by corporate sponsors and is open to any person or any company around the world with a cutting-edge technology or good idea. Companies developing water technology and those who use a large...

“I, [YOUR NAME HERE], pledge to break up with my car for @Lyft’s 30-day #DitchYourCar Challenge. I will ride, bike, share, walk and teleport (I wish) for one month. I commit to lock my keys away and help reduce congestion and carbon emissions.” – #DITCHYOURCAR PLEDGE The rideshare company Lyft recently announced the launch of its new collaborative program in Milwaukee, Ditch Your Car. This program will offer over $500 of transportation credits to Milwaukee residents who give up their cars for 30 days in favor of getting around town via Lyft rides, Bublr Bikes, Milwaukee County Transit System...

State aid to Milwaukee County has remained essentially flat in recent years, despite the fact that the county sends $400 million more in tax revenue to Madison than is returned. County Board Chairman Theodore Lipscomb, Sr., called for a “Fair Deal” with the State of Wisconsin that addresses a growing imbalance in the tax revenue sent to Madison by Milwaukee County and what the county receives back in state support for mandated services. Lipscomb has proposed establishing the “Fair Deal for Milwaukee County Workgroup,” which will be asked to identify and propose options for enhancing the long-term fiscal stability...

The organizers of Startup Milwaukee recently announced Startup Wisconsin, a new initiative to catalyze and build the tech and startup ecosystems statewide. Twelve cities have signed on to the effort which will take place in conjunction with the second annual Startup Wisconsin Week. Startup Wisconsin is committed to advancing and developing Wisconsin’s tech and startup ecosystems through unique programming, collaborative partnerships, and networking. Driven by entrepreneurs and leaders throughout Wisconsin who are passionate about making a difference, and creating a positive and lasting impact that will advance the state’s economy forward. “Wisconsin was built on know-how and an entrepreneurial...