The Game-Changing Grant That Has Tech Startups Flocking to Wisconsin

Need funding to launch or grow your business? Meet two founders who successfully took an often-overlooked approach to fundraising: grants. Jessica Martin Eckerly, CEO and co-founder of Forward BIOLABS, and Alex Tyink, co-founder of Fork Farms, each received transformative awards from WEDC, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. And on this special episode, we find out what it took to win these incredible grants, and how that money has bolstered their businesses and impacted their communities. Today's bonus episode of How Success Happens is sponsored by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Whether you're starting a business or have a groundbreaking idea, WEDC is here to support your success. Learn more at WEDC.org.

Kwamane Liddell, Founder of Thrive Link, 2024 American Nurses Association Innovation Award Winner, shares his journey from trauma nurse to accomplished business leader and healthcare lawyer. Witnessing the impact of barriers to social determinants of health, he created ThriveLink, which empowers families to enroll in health insurance, food stamps, and discount medication programs via phone. Join us as Kwamane shares his journey of dedicating his life to addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring equitable access for all. This episode is presented by Slack. Learn more at slack.com

Bobbie Lloyd, CEO of Magnolia Bakery, shares her journey from culinary school graduate and former chef for Calvin Klein to leading an iconic brand renowned for its amazing cupcakes and out-of-this-world banana pudding, a favorite of host Robert Tuchman. After working under former guest Danny Meyer, she saw what it took to run a successful restaurant and used her newfound insights to help create her own. Bobbi prides herself on kindness, hospitality, and humanity, showcasing the resilience and heart behind her entrepreneurial spirit. Thanks to our sponsor Hertz Business Rewards for helping small businesses save big. Join for free at Hertz.com/businessrewards.

Adam Wexler, the digital marketing savant shares his journey from a real estate major at UGA to the founder of PrizePicks. Explore how his early ventures, like GoRankem, honed his entrepreneurial skills, and how serving Fortune 500 companies with Insightpool enriched his expertise. We talk about his time with the Atlanta Hawks, where he embraced the digital and social media boom. Finally, witness how Adam's passion for sports and innovation converged, propelling him to create PrizePicks, and revolutionizing fantasy gaming becoming the largest growing sports company in North America. Thanks to our sponsor Hertz Business Rewards for helping small businesses save big. Join for free at Hertz.com/businessrewards.

Amy Errett, the visionary behind Madison Reed, shares her journey of building a successful omnichannel beauty brand specializing in the hair color space. Despite reaching the top of the Venture Capitalist industry, Amy felt a burning desire to create her own venture. Recognizing a gap in the hair color market riddled with harmful ingredients, she seized the opportunity to offer safe, high-quality alternatives for everybody to enjoy. Join us as Amy discusses the resilience and passion it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. Thanks to our sponsor Hertz Business Rewards for helping small businesses save big. Join for free at Hertz.com/businessrewards.

One in four employees are now using AI at work – a significant jump from the adoptions rates seen in 2023. So how are businesses leveraging AI in the workplace? We sit down with Christina Janzer, SVP of Research and Analytics at Slack, to discuss how businesses are embracing AI to increase productivity, make data-drive decisions, drive innovation and how Slack AI is enabling people to work smarter and faster. This bonus episode is brought to you by Slack. Learn more about Slack AI, visit Slack.com.

Carly Zakin and Danielle Wesberg, entrepreneurs behind The Skimm, discuss creating a successful Media company. Danielle and Carly fresh out of college identified a significant gap in the media landscape, there was a lack of media outlets specifically tailored to Women. Despite Women making upwards of 90% of household financial decisions, there was a lack of content that catered to their perspectives and priorities. Join us as Carly and Danielle take us through the creation of their revolutionary company, The Skimm. This episode is presented by Slack. Learn more at slack.com

Lori and Scott Levine, creators of Scott's Protein Balls, present a healthier alternative to traditional protein bars. When the founder Lori battled with breast cancer, Scott embarked on a mission to create a healthy and delicious snack she could enjoy, leading to the creation of the protein balls. Crafted from whole-grain oats, flaxseed, chia seeds, and protein powder, their nutritious balls offer a satisfying snack. Join us as we discuss the journey towards healthier living and entrepreneurial success.

Frank McCourt Jr, former CEO of McCourt Global and current owner of French Football Club Olympique de Marseille, delves into the realm of digital privacy and autonomy. We'll discuss McCourt's founding of Project Liberty, a groundbreaking endeavor dedicated to safeguarding individuals' information on the web. Project Liberty aims to empower users with greater control over their digital footprint, ensuring their data remains private and secure in an increasingly interconnected world.

Fran Maier is the entrepreneurial powerhouse behind BabyQuip, as seen on SharkTank, and is also the co-founder of Match.com. In this episode, Fran delves into the pivotal moments shaping her journey, including her decision to join Match.com in its early stages and the launch of BabyQuip, a platform connecting traveling families with baby gear rental services. Fran highlights the transformative power of innovation in entrepreneurship, inspiring others to push boundaries and redefine industries.