KENOSHA, WI — (July 21, 2026) The 262 Founder Pitch competition will bring the region’s brightest entrepreneurial talent center stage on November 10, 2026, at the Kenosha Innovation Center (KIC). This premier pitch event represents a collaborative effort by the economic development organizations of Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties to identify, elevate, and invest in promising startups fueling the future of Wisconsin’s innovation economy.

Applications are open now through September 1, 2026, for early-stage companies ready to showcase their groundbreaking ideas. Participants must be a resident or work within the following counties:

Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha

Participants must be 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. Applications and more information can be found at innovateKIN.org/262founder.
This year, the competition will feature three specialized categories for applicants:

  • “Build Smarter” – Intelligent Manufacturing
  • “Heal Better” – Biohealth
  • “Strengthen Community” – Local Impact

QUOTES FROM PARTNERS:

Kelly Armstrong, Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN), said: “262 Founder Pitch reflects the growing momentum behind entrepreneurship across Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth Counties. At KIC, we are focused on creating the conditions that help
founders move from early ideas to investable companies, while strengthening theinnovation capacity of our region and the economy we are building together.”

Laura Million, Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC): “We know a great pitch is just the starting point. What matters is what comes next and through 262 Founder Pitch, entrepreneurs gain access to the resources, relationships, and support system needed to move their ideas forward and grow in Southeast Wisconsin.”

Derek D’Auria, Executive Director of the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA), added: “Startups need more than a platform, they need a community that recognizes their potential and helps them grow. That’s exactly what 262 Founder Pitch is building. We’re excited to showcase the game-changing talent across our region.”

Additional Information: Startups across all sectors are encouraged to apply especially those building solutions in advanced manufacturing, biohealth, clean energy, and technology.

The 262 Founder Pitch competition is part of a broader regional strategy to grow a connected and collaborative innovation ecosystem throughout Southeast Wisconsin.

For full details and to apply, visit: innovateKIN.org/262founder

This event is brought to you by: Chase, Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA), Racine County Economic Development (RCEDC), Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, Inc., Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Tech-Prize, UW Parkside, Gateway Technical College, and Carthage College & WEDC.

About the Kenosha Innovation Center (KIC)

The Kenosha Innovation Center is a flagship facility within the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and community-driven economic development. The Center provides founders with workspace, mentorship, programming, and pathways to growth supporting the next generation of startups in the region.

About the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood

The Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc., is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer board of directors composed of local and regional leaders dedicated to fostering economic recovery, improving economic sustainability and resiliency, and ensuring equitable community access to prosperity through the development of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN).

The KIN is the revitalization and transformation of 107 acres of vacant land in the heart of Kenosha as a collaborative, mixed-use project that is bringing the community together to define and deliver a regional destination with sustainable, innovation- focused office, medical, educational, commercial, and residential space that meets the unique needs of neighbors, the broader Kenosha community, visitors, and end-users.

Learn more about the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood at www.innovatekin.org.