StartMidwest
@start-midwest.bsky.social
https://www.start-midwest.com/
THE storytelling engine for Midwest startups, innovation & entrepreneurship. For founders, founders and those who help them.
THE storytelling engine for Midwest startups, innovation & entrepreneurship. For founders, founders and those who help them.
Rockwell Automation to Build Wisconsin Factory in $2 Billion U.S. Expansion -
Rockwell Automation plans a new 1M sq ft Wisconsin factory as part of a $2B U.S. expansion, emphasizing smart manufacturing and robotics. www.start-midwest.com/news/rockwel...
Rockwell Automation plans a new 1M sq ft Wisconsin factory as part of a $2B U.S. expansion, emphasizing smart manufacturing and robotics. www.start-midwest.com/news/rockwel...
November 26, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Rockwell Automation to Build Wisconsin Factory in $2 Billion U.S. Expansion -
Rockwell Automation plans a new 1M sq ft Wisconsin factory as part of a $2B U.S. expansion, emphasizing smart manufacturing and robotics. www.start-midwest.com/news/rockwel...
Rockwell Automation plans a new 1M sq ft Wisconsin factory as part of a $2B U.S. expansion, emphasizing smart manufacturing and robotics. www.start-midwest.com/news/rockwel...
The Secret VC: Why Hustle Culture Is Toxic AF -
Stop the burnout! The Secret VC argues that hustle culture is toxic, driven by privilege & survivorship bias. Real success requires balance and grit, not exhaustion. www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
Stop the burnout! The Secret VC argues that hustle culture is toxic, driven by privilege & survivorship bias. Real success requires balance and grit, not exhaustion. www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
November 26, 2025 at 4:09 AM
The Secret VC: Why Hustle Culture Is Toxic AF -
Stop the burnout! The Secret VC argues that hustle culture is toxic, driven by privilege & survivorship bias. Real success requires balance and grit, not exhaustion. www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
Stop the burnout! The Secret VC argues that hustle culture is toxic, driven by privilege & survivorship bias. Real success requires balance and grit, not exhaustion. www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
Indianapolis’ Athian Announces $18M in Farmer Payments and closes $4M Series A -
Athian closes $4M Series A, pays farmers $18M for verified emissions cuts. Connects food companies to on-farm insets for Scope 3 targets. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
Athian closes $4M Series A, pays farmers $18M for verified emissions cuts. Connects food companies to on-farm insets for Scope 3 targets. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
November 24, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Indianapolis’ Athian Announces $18M in Farmer Payments and closes $4M Series A -
Athian closes $4M Series A, pays farmers $18M for verified emissions cuts. Connects food companies to on-farm insets for Scope 3 targets. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
Athian closes $4M Series A, pays farmers $18M for verified emissions cuts. Connects food companies to on-farm insets for Scope 3 targets. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
Indiana-based Sortera Technologies raises $45 Million in Funding for Mixed Aluminum -
Sortera secures $45M for AI-powered aluminum recycling expansion to Tennessee, boosting domestic supply & cutting emissions for auto & aerospace. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
Sortera secures $45M for AI-powered aluminum recycling expansion to Tennessee, boosting domestic supply & cutting emissions for auto & aerospace. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
November 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Indiana-based Sortera Technologies raises $45 Million in Funding for Mixed Aluminum -
Sortera secures $45M for AI-powered aluminum recycling expansion to Tennessee, boosting domestic supply & cutting emissions for auto & aerospace. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
Sortera secures $45M for AI-powered aluminum recycling expansion to Tennessee, boosting domestic supply & cutting emissions for auto & aerospace. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
Future in the Making: Hidden Factories -
A video from Chris Nolte of Bloom about reviving abandoned US factories into micro-factories. Access heavy power, cranes, and industrial zoning for fast-track domestic manufacturing & innovation. www.start-midwest.com/news/future-...
A video from Chris Nolte of Bloom about reviving abandoned US factories into micro-factories. Access heavy power, cranes, and industrial zoning for fast-track domestic manufacturing & innovation. www.start-midwest.com/news/future-...
November 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Future in the Making: Hidden Factories -
A video from Chris Nolte of Bloom about reviving abandoned US factories into micro-factories. Access heavy power, cranes, and industrial zoning for fast-track domestic manufacturing & innovation. www.start-midwest.com/news/future-...
A video from Chris Nolte of Bloom about reviving abandoned US factories into micro-factories. Access heavy power, cranes, and industrial zoning for fast-track domestic manufacturing & innovation. www.start-midwest.com/news/future-...
New additions to Indiana’s OneHealth Innovation District: Human, Animal, and Plant Health -
Elanco, Purdue & Alloy Partners launch the OneHealth Innovation District in Indianapolis, focusing on startups at the convergence of human, animal, & plant health. www.start-midwest.com/news/new-add...
Elanco, Purdue & Alloy Partners launch the OneHealth Innovation District in Indianapolis, focusing on startups at the convergence of human, animal, & plant health. www.start-midwest.com/news/new-add...
November 22, 2025 at 12:20 AM
New additions to Indiana’s OneHealth Innovation District: Human, Animal, and Plant Health -
Elanco, Purdue & Alloy Partners launch the OneHealth Innovation District in Indianapolis, focusing on startups at the convergence of human, animal, & plant health. www.start-midwest.com/news/new-add...
Elanco, Purdue & Alloy Partners launch the OneHealth Innovation District in Indianapolis, focusing on startups at the convergence of human, animal, & plant health. www.start-midwest.com/news/new-add...
WTF is an Ecosystem anyways? -
The entrepreneurial ecosystem: does this buzzword still make sense. Sebastian Penix shares the essential players & how interdependence fuels startup growth. www.start-midwest.com/news/wtf-is-...
The entrepreneurial ecosystem: does this buzzword still make sense. Sebastian Penix shares the essential players & how interdependence fuels startup growth. www.start-midwest.com/news/wtf-is-...
November 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
WTF is an Ecosystem anyways? -
The entrepreneurial ecosystem: does this buzzword still make sense. Sebastian Penix shares the essential players & how interdependence fuels startup growth. www.start-midwest.com/news/wtf-is-...
The entrepreneurial ecosystem: does this buzzword still make sense. Sebastian Penix shares the essential players & how interdependence fuels startup growth. www.start-midwest.com/news/wtf-is-...
Purdue and Google Expand AI Research and Education Initiatives -
Purdue & Google expand AI research, education, and workforce initiatives in Indiana. All students face a new AI competency requirement. www.start-midwest.com/news/purdue-...
Purdue & Google expand AI research, education, and workforce initiatives in Indiana. All students face a new AI competency requirement. www.start-midwest.com/news/purdue-...
November 21, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Purdue and Google Expand AI Research and Education Initiatives -
Purdue & Google expand AI research, education, and workforce initiatives in Indiana. All students face a new AI competency requirement. www.start-midwest.com/news/purdue-...
Purdue & Google expand AI research, education, and workforce initiatives in Indiana. All students face a new AI competency requirement. www.start-midwest.com/news/purdue-...
A New Transatlantic Bridge Launches During Global Entrepreneurship Week -
Midwest Meets Europe connects US/EU institutions and Series A startups during Global Entrepreneurship Week for transatlantic market access and co-investment. www.start-midwest.com/news/a-new-t...
Midwest Meets Europe connects US/EU institutions and Series A startups during Global Entrepreneurship Week for transatlantic market access and co-investment. www.start-midwest.com/news/a-new-t...
November 20, 2025 at 9:43 PM
A New Transatlantic Bridge Launches During Global Entrepreneurship Week -
Midwest Meets Europe connects US/EU institutions and Series A startups during Global Entrepreneurship Week for transatlantic market access and co-investment. www.start-midwest.com/news/a-new-t...
Midwest Meets Europe connects US/EU institutions and Series A startups during Global Entrepreneurship Week for transatlantic market access and co-investment. www.start-midwest.com/news/a-new-t...
U.S. Manufacturing Focuses on Workforce Up skilling and Technology -
U.S. manufacturing fights the skills gap with tech & training. Caterpillar & GE invest millions in workforce development for future viability. www.start-midwest.com/news/u-s-man...
U.S. manufacturing fights the skills gap with tech & training. Caterpillar & GE invest millions in workforce development for future viability. www.start-midwest.com/news/u-s-man...
November 19, 2025 at 6:05 PM
U.S. Manufacturing Focuses on Workforce Up skilling and Technology -
U.S. manufacturing fights the skills gap with tech & training. Caterpillar & GE invest millions in workforce development for future viability. www.start-midwest.com/news/u-s-man...
U.S. manufacturing fights the skills gap with tech & training. Caterpillar & GE invest millions in workforce development for future viability. www.start-midwest.com/news/u-s-man...
2025 SaaS Benchmarks: Where the Midwest Is Winning (and Where It Lags) -
Midwest vs. US SaaS benchmarks (2025): When analyzing growth, Rule of 40, AI adoption, and scaling speed the Midwest's top firms compete, but the median lags. www.start-midwest.com/news/2025-sa...
Midwest vs. US SaaS benchmarks (2025): When analyzing growth, Rule of 40, AI adoption, and scaling speed the Midwest's top firms compete, but the median lags. www.start-midwest.com/news/2025-sa...
November 19, 2025 at 1:13 PM
2025 SaaS Benchmarks: Where the Midwest Is Winning (and Where It Lags) -
Midwest vs. US SaaS benchmarks (2025): When analyzing growth, Rule of 40, AI adoption, and scaling speed the Midwest's top firms compete, but the median lags. www.start-midwest.com/news/2025-sa...
Midwest vs. US SaaS benchmarks (2025): When analyzing growth, Rule of 40, AI adoption, and scaling speed the Midwest's top firms compete, but the median lags. www.start-midwest.com/news/2025-sa...
Chicago’s ElectronX Secures $30M Series A for Power Derivatives Market -
Chicago's ElectronX secures $30M Series A funding to launch the first U.S.-regulated power derivatives market, enhancing grid risk management. www.start-midwest.com/news/chicago...
Chicago's ElectronX secures $30M Series A funding to launch the first U.S.-regulated power derivatives market, enhancing grid risk management. www.start-midwest.com/news/chicago...
November 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Chicago’s ElectronX Secures $30M Series A for Power Derivatives Market -
Chicago's ElectronX secures $30M Series A funding to launch the first U.S.-regulated power derivatives market, enhancing grid risk management. www.start-midwest.com/news/chicago...
Chicago's ElectronX secures $30M Series A funding to launch the first U.S.-regulated power derivatives market, enhancing grid risk management. www.start-midwest.com/news/chicago...
How a rural work ethic shaped a fintech CEO. Ryan Rybolt, founder & CEO of Payload, shared his founder story with us, one that hits several themes we see again and again across the region.
Entrepreneurs are just built different here.
Dive in →
www.start-midwest.com/news/founder...
Entrepreneurs are just built different here.
Dive in →
www.start-midwest.com/news/founder...
November 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
How a rural work ethic shaped a fintech CEO. Ryan Rybolt, founder & CEO of Payload, shared his founder story with us, one that hits several themes we see again and again across the region.
Entrepreneurs are just built different here.
Dive in →
www.start-midwest.com/news/founder...
Entrepreneurs are just built different here.
Dive in →
www.start-midwest.com/news/founder...
Founder Story: Ryan Rybolt of Payload -
Ryan Rybolt, CEO of Payload, shares lessons from farm work to IPO, building bootstrapped fintech in Cincinnati and disrupting payments with embedded bank rails. www.start-midwest.com/news/founder...
Ryan Rybolt, CEO of Payload, shares lessons from farm work to IPO, building bootstrapped fintech in Cincinnati and disrupting payments with embedded bank rails. www.start-midwest.com/news/founder...
November 17, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Founder Story: Ryan Rybolt of Payload -
Ryan Rybolt, CEO of Payload, shares lessons from farm work to IPO, building bootstrapped fintech in Cincinnati and disrupting payments with embedded bank rails. www.start-midwest.com/news/founder...
Ryan Rybolt, CEO of Payload, shares lessons from farm work to IPO, building bootstrapped fintech in Cincinnati and disrupting payments with embedded bank rails. www.start-midwest.com/news/founder...
Ann Arbor-based Scorbit Raises $5 Million for connected gaming -
Scorbit, an Ann Arbor-based connected arcade platform co-founded by former Digg CEO Jay Adelson, raises $5M in seed funding. www.start-midwest.com/news/ann-arb...
Scorbit, an Ann Arbor-based connected arcade platform co-founded by former Digg CEO Jay Adelson, raises $5M in seed funding. www.start-midwest.com/news/ann-arb...
November 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Ann Arbor-based Scorbit Raises $5 Million for connected gaming -
Scorbit, an Ann Arbor-based connected arcade platform co-founded by former Digg CEO Jay Adelson, raises $5M in seed funding. www.start-midwest.com/news/ann-arb...
Scorbit, an Ann Arbor-based connected arcade platform co-founded by former Digg CEO Jay Adelson, raises $5M in seed funding. www.start-midwest.com/news/ann-arb...
What if the biggest threat to your startup isn’t capital, customers, or competition… but the ecosystem around you not working to help?
Today is the first story by The Secret Founder, a regular series of REAL thoughts and views from founders.
Read it:
🔗 www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
Today is the first story by The Secret Founder, a regular series of REAL thoughts and views from founders.
Read it:
🔗 www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
November 14, 2025 at 5:59 PM
What if the biggest threat to your startup isn’t capital, customers, or competition… but the ecosystem around you not working to help?
Today is the first story by The Secret Founder, a regular series of REAL thoughts and views from founders.
Read it:
🔗 www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
Today is the first story by The Secret Founder, a regular series of REAL thoughts and views from founders.
Read it:
🔗 www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
The Secret Founder: How Ecosystems Fail (and what it means for all of us) -
Are our ecosystems helping the one commodity we can't do without: founders? Scarcity and misaligned incentives may be impacting even the most resilient entrepreneurs. www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
Are our ecosystems helping the one commodity we can't do without: founders? Scarcity and misaligned incentives may be impacting even the most resilient entrepreneurs. www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
November 14, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The Secret Founder: How Ecosystems Fail (and what it means for all of us) -
Are our ecosystems helping the one commodity we can't do without: founders? Scarcity and misaligned incentives may be impacting even the most resilient entrepreneurs. www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
Are our ecosystems helping the one commodity we can't do without: founders? Scarcity and misaligned incentives may be impacting even the most resilient entrepreneurs. www.start-midwest.com/news/the-sec...
Michigan: OpenAI Stargate project “largest investment in state history” -
OpenAI's Stargate data center in Michigan, a $450B+ investment with Oracle/Related Digital, may be state's largest economic project and create 2,500+ jobs. www.start-midwest.com/news/michiga...
OpenAI's Stargate data center in Michigan, a $450B+ investment with Oracle/Related Digital, may be state's largest economic project and create 2,500+ jobs. www.start-midwest.com/news/michiga...
November 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Michigan: OpenAI Stargate project “largest investment in state history” -
OpenAI's Stargate data center in Michigan, a $450B+ investment with Oracle/Related Digital, may be state's largest economic project and create 2,500+ jobs. www.start-midwest.com/news/michiga...
OpenAI's Stargate data center in Michigan, a $450B+ investment with Oracle/Related Digital, may be state's largest economic project and create 2,500+ jobs. www.start-midwest.com/news/michiga...
If Cincinnati wants to grow more founders, it can’t wait until graduation.
Our Ohio contributor Kate Hursh-Wogenstahl from Cintrifuse in Cincy makes a case for bringing students into the process, not just encouraging them from the sidelines.
Read it 👇
🔗 www.start-midwest.com/news/growing...
Our Ohio contributor Kate Hursh-Wogenstahl from Cintrifuse in Cincy makes a case for bringing students into the process, not just encouraging them from the sidelines.
Read it 👇
🔗 www.start-midwest.com/news/growing...
November 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
If Cincinnati wants to grow more founders, it can’t wait until graduation.
Our Ohio contributor Kate Hursh-Wogenstahl from Cintrifuse in Cincy makes a case for bringing students into the process, not just encouraging them from the sidelines.
Read it 👇
🔗 www.start-midwest.com/news/growing...
Our Ohio contributor Kate Hursh-Wogenstahl from Cintrifuse in Cincy makes a case for bringing students into the process, not just encouraging them from the sidelines.
Read it 👇
🔗 www.start-midwest.com/news/growing...
Growing Founders at Home: Cincinnati Must Invite Students Into Building Startups -
To grow its startup ecosystem, Cincinnati must retain top university talent. Programs like co-ops and internships are key to future economic growth. www.start-midwest.com/news/growing...
To grow its startup ecosystem, Cincinnati must retain top university talent. Programs like co-ops and internships are key to future economic growth. www.start-midwest.com/news/growing...
November 12, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Growing Founders at Home: Cincinnati Must Invite Students Into Building Startups -
To grow its startup ecosystem, Cincinnati must retain top university talent. Programs like co-ops and internships are key to future economic growth. www.start-midwest.com/news/growing...
To grow its startup ecosystem, Cincinnati must retain top university talent. Programs like co-ops and internships are key to future economic growth. www.start-midwest.com/news/growing...
Wisconsin Dairy Innovation Hub Publishes Sixth Annual Report -
Wisconsin’s Dairy Innovation Hub highlights initiatives and plans for its 2025 Dairy Summit at UW–River Falls. www.start-midwest.com/news/wiscons...
Wisconsin’s Dairy Innovation Hub highlights initiatives and plans for its 2025 Dairy Summit at UW–River Falls. www.start-midwest.com/news/wiscons...
November 11, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Wisconsin Dairy Innovation Hub Publishes Sixth Annual Report -
Wisconsin’s Dairy Innovation Hub highlights initiatives and plans for its 2025 Dairy Summit at UW–River Falls. www.start-midwest.com/news/wiscons...
Wisconsin’s Dairy Innovation Hub highlights initiatives and plans for its 2025 Dairy Summit at UW–River Falls. www.start-midwest.com/news/wiscons...
Alchemist Accelerator and University of Chicago Launch Quantum Cohort -
Support for the deep-tech cohort of quantum startups comes from research, resources, and commercialization. www.start-midwest.com/news/alchemi...
Support for the deep-tech cohort of quantum startups comes from research, resources, and commercialization. www.start-midwest.com/news/alchemi...
November 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Alchemist Accelerator and University of Chicago Launch Quantum Cohort -
Support for the deep-tech cohort of quantum startups comes from research, resources, and commercialization. www.start-midwest.com/news/alchemi...
Support for the deep-tech cohort of quantum startups comes from research, resources, and commercialization. www.start-midwest.com/news/alchemi...
Startup Wisconsin Week turns nine this year and it’s still proudly grassroots.
Starting today, Nov 10 and running until the 14th in 10 cities across the state.
Why it matters & what’s next, from Jacob Miller of Startup Wisconsin.
👉 www.start-midwest.com/news/why-we-...
Starting today, Nov 10 and running until the 14th in 10 cities across the state.
Why it matters & what’s next, from Jacob Miller of Startup Wisconsin.
👉 www.start-midwest.com/news/why-we-...
November 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Startup Wisconsin Week turns nine this year and it’s still proudly grassroots.
Starting today, Nov 10 and running until the 14th in 10 cities across the state.
Why it matters & what’s next, from Jacob Miller of Startup Wisconsin.
👉 www.start-midwest.com/news/why-we-...
Starting today, Nov 10 and running until the 14th in 10 cities across the state.
Why it matters & what’s next, from Jacob Miller of Startup Wisconsin.
👉 www.start-midwest.com/news/why-we-...
Why We Keep Showing Up: 9 Years of Startup Wisconsin Week -
Fostering innovation, connecting founders, and building a thriving tech ecosystem across Wisconsin. www.start-midwest.com/news/why-we-...
Fostering innovation, connecting founders, and building a thriving tech ecosystem across Wisconsin. www.start-midwest.com/news/why-we-...
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Why We Keep Showing Up: 9 Years of Startup Wisconsin Week -
Fostering innovation, connecting founders, and building a thriving tech ecosystem across Wisconsin. www.start-midwest.com/news/why-we-...
Fostering innovation, connecting founders, and building a thriving tech ecosystem across Wisconsin. www.start-midwest.com/news/why-we-...
Indiana plant funded for Rare-Earth Magnet Production -
$1.4B collaboration advances domestic sourcing, recycling, and defense-aligned manufacturing. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
$1.4B collaboration advances domestic sourcing, recycling, and defense-aligned manufacturing. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
November 7, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Indiana plant funded for Rare-Earth Magnet Production -
$1.4B collaboration advances domestic sourcing, recycling, and defense-aligned manufacturing. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...
$1.4B collaboration advances domestic sourcing, recycling, and defense-aligned manufacturing. www.start-midwest.com/news/indiana...