At StartingBlock, we create intersections that cultivate entrepreneurs, build innovative companies, & drive ideas into reality.
Help launch great companies by cultivating ideas and entrepreneurs and expanding access to early stage resources and know-how.
Accelerate company growth by helping early stage companies and strengthening existing companies.
Drive innovation by identifying new opportunities in cutting-edge new technologies and assist existing companies and legacy corporations innovate.
StartingBlock represents a massive community effort — from Madison’s young entrepreneurs, city and business leaders, and our educational and government institutions — focused on creating a home base with the critical components that local innovation entrepreneurs need to start and grow businesses, create jobs and stimulate the regional economy.
StartingBlock Madison’s 40,000+SF entrepreneurial hub will be a place for entrepreneurs, investors, advisors and community members to connect, share innovative ideas, and create next-generation businesses.
In collaborations with our community partners, StartingBlock will provide affordable and flexible workspace, access to investors, a centralized network of existing and emerging industry players, professional advisors and mentors, accelerator programs, and education and community programming.
StartingBlock will be located on the 2nd-4th floors of the new spark building being built by American Family Insurance. StartingBlock and the spark are part of the larger Capital East Development Project that includes the Gebhardt Building, home for Frank Productions’ music venue, The Sylvee (opening fall 2018), and the new Capital East Parking Garage.
StartingBlock is bringing together critical components of the Madison startup ecosystem including:
Gener8tor: the region’s platinum ranked accelerator program
Doyenne Group: building entrepreneurial ecosystems that invest in the power and potential of women entrepreneurs.
Bunker Labs: empowering military entrepreneurs as innovation leaders
Capital Entrepreneurs: peer-to-peer network bringing 300+ entrepreneur members together to learn, share and collaborate.