City Times Staff

MILWAUKEE — October 16, 2017 – BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation have teamed up with NEWaukee to announce the HATCH Finale. HATCH is a community-based startup platform to help develop “napkin” ideas into early-stage companies.

BrightStar funded pitch competitions in Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau and Marshfield. Each of the four regional HATCH winners received a $2,000 grant and a chance to compete for a $10,000 prize in the finale along with three other runners-up.

The final event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 9, 6PM – 9 PM in the Noel Hangar (4501 Highway 66, Stevens Point Municipal Airport, Stevens Point).

(Contributed Photo)

BrightStar and NEWaukee collaborated on the creation of HATCH and received support from numerous organizations, including Current – Wisconsin Rapids, Incourage, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Marathon County Development Corporation, Portage County Business Council, Marshfield Young Professionals, CREATE Portage County, and Ignite Leadership Network of Portage County.

The four regional winners include:

Tapped, flavor infused, natural maple syrups by Jeremy Solin; Unpublished.io, a web platform for building and sharing research projects built by Daniel Packard and Maurice Woods III; Arbre Tech, a product built to automate the data tracking processes used in tree nurseries by Matthieu Vollmer and Ben Meyers; and Leak Siphon Flush Valve, a product to reduce leaky toilets for zero water waste by Peter Parker and Landis Brozak.

The three other runner-up pitches include: Caboosee, baby onesie and pajama technology that makes it possible to easily check a diaper without removing the clothing by Emily Blomberg;Cheiks, women’s underwear with revolutionary sizing by Elizabeth Olson; and Feed Manager, an app that helps farmers manage their livestock feed by Carl Lippert.

“With HATCH, we wanted to allow groups that can support startups in Central Wisconsin to communicate with each other and potential new businesses for the good of the region,” said BrightStar Portfolio Manager Todd Sobotka. “The more I help BrightStar invest in exciting startups, the more I realize that people invest in people. It takes time to build relationships, see how people operate, and know with whom you work best. Now is the time to make this happen.”

The HATCH program features a collection of Wisconsin’s most innovative startup resources and a network of Wisconsin’s most creative and dynamic individuals, as well as complimentary local food, drink and live music.

For more information about HATCH and to register for the final event, please visit www.hatchwi.com.