StartingBlock Madison Hits Fundraising Goal

by Taylor Kennedy

StartingBlock

StartingBlock Madison met its fundraising goal of $3 million and will launch its entrepreneurial hub, organizers announced today.

“StartingBlock represents a significant partnership among the public and private sectors, including the City of Madison, State of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin – Madison, American Family Insurance and other businesses,” StartingBlock Executive Director Scott Resnick said in a statement.

Resnick said that he hopes StartingBlock Madison will break ground at the end of the year, and he anticipates a 13-month construction timeline.

StartingBlock Madison gained an undisclosed financial commitment in December 2014 from American Family Insurance. In September 2015, StartingBlock began a crowdfunding campaign called BuildingBlocks.

Resnick cited “the good will of the community and (Capital Entrepreneurs Co-Founder) Forrest Woolworth’s charm” as what put the fundraising efforts over the top.

As previously reported, the hub will house emerging innovators and established entrepreneurs sharing knowledge, skills and professional assistance.

StartingBlock Madison will be located in American Family’s new building called “The Spark” in the Capital East area of downtown Madison.