Renaissant launches new agentic AI logistics technology

Logistics software firm Renaissant has launched a new voice-based AI “clerk” to help coordinate shipments — something the company says will improve efficiency while addressing security concerns.  The Milwaukee company yesterday announced the “breakthrough” technology is being piloted at several

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Evers appoints Dem donor and investor to lead WEDC

Dem Gov. Tony Evers has appointed John W. Miller to serve as secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Miller is a former Universities of Wisconsin regent. But Senate Republicans refused to confirm the appointment after Miller vocally

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Bipartisan bill would create new limits for payday loans

Bipartisan legislation would cap the interest payday lenders may charge at 36%, among other changes for these loans that bill authors say have “outrageously high” interest rates.  Reps. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha, and Amaad Rivera-Wagner, D-Green Bay, along with GOP Sen.

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National headwinds threatening state’s advantage in biotech

Wisconsin’s competitive edge in biotech is being threatened by “national headwinds” for the industry, according to a startup specialist at WEDC.  Shayna Hetzel, vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., spoke yesterday during a meeting

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Nigerian firm Geotek Water Solutions wins Water Council competition

A Nigerian company called Geotek Water Solutions has won the Water Council’s latest Tech Challenge, the Milwaukee organization announced.  It’s the first African business to win the group’s Tech Challenge competition, which issues open-ended requests for technologies and other water industry solutions. The program aims to provide exposure for innovation

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Renaissant launches new agentic AI logistics technology

Logistics software firm Renaissant has launched a new voice-based AI “clerk” to help coordinate shipments — something the company says will improve efficiency while addressing security concerns.  The Milwaukee company yesterday announced the “breakthrough” technology is being piloted at several large sites, following earlier development at UW-Milwaukee’s Microsoft AI Co-Innovation

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Fewer bankers rate state economy as ‘excellent’ in recent survey

Fewer Wisconsin bank leaders rated the state economy as “excellent” in the latest Wisconsin Bankers Association survey, though expectations for the coming six months remain stable.  The group recently rolled out its biannual Economic Conditions Survey of bank CEOs in Wisconsin. It found 79% of respondents rated the current health

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Circulating bill would make changes to WEDC grant program

Republican lawmakers are seeking to make changes to a WEDC grant program that they say would better support the state’s tourism industry.  Reps. Tony Kurtz of Wonewoc and David Armstrong of Rice Lake, along with Sen. Patrick Testin of Stevens Point, are circulating a co-sponsorship memo seeking support for LRB-3566/LRB-5743.

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UW-Green Bay, gener8tor introduce first cohort for pre-accelerator program

The first cohort of the UW-Green Bay Pre-Accelerator program includes Wisconsin startups developing advanced wound dressings, data analysis platforms, anti-fraud programs and more.  The university and startup accelerator gener8tor yesterday announced the inaugural cohort for the free, seven-week program. It’s meant to help entrepreneurs develop their early-stage companies through “intensive

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WARF touting modified soybean plant as top licensing prospect

WARF is spotlighting an altered form of soybean plant as a top licensing prospect, with potential applications in food dye production as an alternative to more harmful synthetic chemicals.  The soybean plant was engineered to produce large amounts of a natural red pigment called betalain in hopes of replacing synthetic

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Evers appoints Dem donor and investor to lead WEDC

Dem Gov. Tony Evers has appointed John W. Miller to serve as secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Miller is a former Universities of Wisconsin regent. But Senate Republicans refused to confirm the appointment after Miller vocally opposed a deal the system cut with Assembly Speaker Robin

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Survey sheds light on top challenges for construction industry

A recent survey from Neenah-based compliance firm J. J. Keller & Associates found labor shortages, rising material costs and job site safety are top challenges facing construction companies.  The company’s research arm, the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights, yesterday issued the study results alongside the American Society of

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Bipartisan bill would create new limits for payday loans

Bipartisan legislation would cap the interest payday lenders may charge at 36%, among other changes for these loans that bill authors say have “outrageously high” interest rates.  Reps. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha, and Amaad Rivera-Wagner, D-Green Bay, along with GOP Sen. Andre Jacque of New Franken, recently sent a co-sponsorship memo

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LAB report recommends ‘improvements’ for WEDC processes

The Legislative Audit Bureau is recommending WEDC establish a written policy for when it should revoke tax credits after recipients don’t meet the terms of their contract.  LAB on Friday released its latest report on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., which includes 14 recommendations for improvements as well as an

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National headwinds threatening state’s advantage in biotech

Wisconsin’s competitive edge in biotech is being threatened by “national headwinds” for the industry, according to a startup specialist at WEDC.  Shayna Hetzel, vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., spoke yesterday during a meeting of the agency’s board of directors. Representing the Wisconsin Investment

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