Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation: Startup funding for Oshkosh businesses

Contact: Audra Hoy
Director of Business & Economic Development
2380 Hwy 44, Suite B, Oshkosh, WI 54904
O: (920) 230-3326 | C: (920) 203-9000
audra.hoy@greateroshkosh.com

The Greater Oshkosh area now has funding available for startups through the newly-developed Greater Oshkosh Capital Catalyst Fund.

The City of Oshkosh reallocated $125,000 from the Greater Oshkosh Revolving Loan Fund, a fund managed by the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation for established businesses of two years or more looking to grow, and matched those dollars with an award of $125,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) Capital Catalyst Program to establish a fund of $250,000. Loans, grants and equity positions are all viable awards from the Greater Oshkosh Capital Catalyst Fund.

“This fund is the first of its kind in Winnebago County, the I-41 Corridor, and northeast Wisconsin. Greater Oshkosh’s economic development success is predicated on helping our existing businesses grow and showing our entrepreneurs that they are well-supported here in the Fox Valley,” said Jason White, CEO of the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation.

The Oshkosh area has experienced tremendous growth in entrepreneurship through programs at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, such as AeroInnovate and InventureXcel, the Alta Resources Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Fox Valley Technical College’s Venture Center and many others. The Greater Oshkosh Capital Catalyst Fund aims to assist these entrepreneurs in building strong businesses and employment opportunities in Oshkosh.

“Supporting entrepreneurship is a key component of WEDC’s economic development strategy as a number of studies have recognized the impact that startups have on job growth and the overall health of the economy,” said Aaron Hagar, Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for WEDC. “This investment by WEDC will help fill a gap by providing much needed seed captial for entrepreneurs at the local level.”

The fund is focused on, but not limited to, assisting startups in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, aviation/aerospace, IT/software development, medical devices, biosciences and energy. Funds will not be used for restaurant, real estate, hospitality or retail development.

For those interested in learning more about the Greater Oshkosh Capital Catalyst Fund, they should contact Audra Hoy at audra.hoy@greateroshkosh.com or (920) 230-3321.