A Madison-based startup called Strudel has won this year’s Pressure Chamber pitch competition with its AI-based tech support platform.  The contest was held yesterday afternoon at The Sylvee music venue in Madison as part of Forward Fest, an annual event series focused on entrepreneurship and technology.  Strudel’s co-founder and CEO,

Legislation being circulated by Republican authors would prevent local municipalities from enacting “rights of nature” ordinances that provide certain legal rights to natural resources.  That includes the right to exist, to be protected against pollution or to maintain a healthy ecosystem, according to analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau. Sen.

Sentry Equipment plans to lean more on AI to support further growth, as the technology is expected to help address the company’s skilled labor concerns.  That’s according to Marcease Warren, vice president of manufacturing for the Oconomowoc-based industrial machinery company. It makes equipment for portable filtration, sample automation, coolant recycling

Republican lawmakers are circulating legislation from last session that would allow patients in Wisconsin health care facilities to receive visitors during public health emergencies, with various restrictions in place.  Sen. André Jacque, R-New Franken, and Rep. Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego, recently sent out a cosponsorship memo for LRB 4368/1 and 0049/1,

A recent global survey of manufacturers from Milwaukee’s Rockwell Automation finds integrating new technology has become the top internal obstacle.  The company yesterday released its 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report, which includes survey results from 1,560 respondents across 17 of the top countries for manufacturing. The online survey

Republican lawmakers are seeking to create a “farmland link” program that would help connect potential buyers with agricultural land.  Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, and Rep. Clint Moses, R-Menomonie, this week began circulating a cosponsorship memo for the legislation, LRB-3225/1 and LRB 4320/1, which would create the program.  It would

An economist with UW-Madison says GDP growth is a poor indicator of the economy’s current trajectory, as other factors suggest a national slowdown amid tariffs and related uncertainty.  Menzie Chinn, a professor in the university’s La Follette School of Public Affairs, discussed this topic during the latest Wisconsin Foundation and

Realta Fusion and research partners at UW-Madison are aiming to publish an early design for a commercial-scale fusion energy pilot device next year.  The Madison-based startup and partners at the university recently issued two studies detailing breakthroughs made by the company’s computational physics team.  These scientists have developed a unique

Advanced technology use in construction is “still in its adolescence” despite many companies planning to integrate AI, according to a report from Milwaukee-based advisory firm Wipfli.  The company this week issued its latest report on the state of technology in construction, which relies on survey results gathered from businesses of

A five-county region in central Wisconsin will need more than 11,000 additional housing units by 2040 to meet projected demand, according to a study from economic development group Centergy.  The organization, which focuses on Adams, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage and Wood counties, yesterday released its Regional Housing Study. It highlights the

UW-Madison has launched the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub, which will take a new “founder-focused” approach to supporting startup growth at the university.  That’s according to Jon Eckhardt, a professor at the Wisconsin School of Business who was appointed as a special advisor to the entrepreneurship initiative. It was launched recently after

The Milwaukee 7 Regional Partnership wants to put a greater emphasis on biotech companies and other manufacturers as it develops its next five-year plan.  Rebecca Gries, executive director for M7, shared an update on the group’s efforts during this week’s meeting of the Milwaukee Rotary Club. The organization was founded

UW-Madison leadership is considering the creation of a new college focused on computing, reflecting the technology’s increasingly central role across other disciplines.  That’s according to Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, director of the university’s School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences. He spoke yesterday during a Wisconsin Technology Council luncheon in Madison, where

WiSys is seeking applications for a research funding initiative, offering support to small businesses, nonprofits and scientists for agriculture-focused projects.  UWM Research Foundation President Jessica Silvaggi called for applicants to the Forward Ag: Use-Inspired R&D program in a recent post. She noted the effort aims to support “innovative agricultural research

Three metro areas in Wisconsin were rated among the top 20 housing markets in the country based on expected home value appreciation and quality of life.  The Summer 2025 Housing Market Ranking report, from the Wall Street Journal and real estate listings site Realtor.com, included an analysis of housing market

The majority of respondents in the latest Marquette University Law School Poll say tariffs hurt the economy, though the survey illustrates the partisan divide on the issue.  Among all adults in the recent national poll, 59% said tariffs hurt the economy, 28% said they help the economy and 12% said

Legislation from Dem lawmakers would create new regulations and licensing requirements for cryptocurrency kiosks, which bill authors say have led to “a shocking amount” of fraud.  These self-service machines are used to buy and sell digital currencies, and have become much more widespread in recent years.  A cosponsorship memo for

The head of MMAC says President Donald Trump is “just wrong” on tariffs as trade with key partners takes a hit amid uncertainty about U.S. policy.  Dale Kooyenga, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, weighed in Friday on the latest global trade policy developments during a webinar hosted

The 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay had an estimated $80 million economic impact in Brown County, exceeding earlier projections by nearly $60 million.  That’s according to an economic impact report released yesterday by Experience Greater Green Bay that was conducted by market research firm Sportsimpacts. It focused on the

Milwaukee Area Technical College President Anthony Cruz aims to boost student earnings in the years to come as part of an effort to address generational poverty and get more recognition for the college.  Cruz spoke yesterday during a meeting of the Milwaukee Rotary Club, where he discussed MATC’s strategic plan