Capital Catalyst Program

Seed financing stimulates local business creation

To effectively deploy capital to spur new business generation, you need to be close to the action. That’s why the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) created the Capital Catalyst Program—to make seed funds available to organizations and communities dedicated to stimulating entrepreneurship.

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Click to view the current guidelines and information for this program.

Program Guidelines

Program Information

How it works

WEDC provides matching grants typically ranging from $250,000 to $2 million to approved organizations or communities that manage a seed fund to provide capital to high-growth-potential startups and emerging growth companies or support R&D-to-commercialization efforts. These locally managed funds may provide loans and/or investments in startups and early-stage and innovative small businesses that operate in their service area. Loan repayments and returns on investment may stay within the fund to assist additional companies and create a supportive environment for business creation and development.

Partner Requirements

Recipients of WEDC Capital Catalyst funds must demonstrate organizational capability and the availability of entrepreneurial support to achieve program goals. Recipients must provide matching funds at a ratio of at least 1:1 with the amount of grant funding requested.

Program Requirements

In addition to providing documentation of this financial match each recipient must also provide WEDC with periodic reports and information on its operations and the economic impact of the companies provided with funding. Since the program’s funding comes form the U.S. Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), all applicants and projects must meet all of the applicable SSBCI requirements, including but not limited to additional reporting, private financing, and business eligibility.