News and Events

Supporting Local Businesses

Posted on: March 16th, 2020

With coronavirus and social distancing keeping our community indoors, it is vital to continue to support our local and small businesses. These businesses rely on our dollars to keep their doors open and pay their vendors and employees. Helping business Continue Reading

5Wise Workshop on National among projects putting new spin on real estate development

Posted on: March 6th, 2020

Tim Syth in late 2019 bought out the investors in his 5Wise Workshop development and gave them an 8% return in spite of, but also because of, a business model that veered away from a traditional real estate pl

Draft and Vessel plans to open its second Milwaukee-area craft beer bar in Wauwatosa

Posted on: January 7th, 2020

Wauwatosa will soon be getting a new craft beer bar. 

Draft and Vessel, which has one location in Shorewood, plans to open its second Milwaukee-area location in Wauwatosa in 2020. 

December Pitch Meeting

Event date: December 16th, 2019

Please join us Monday, December 16th for two local business presentations

Annual Meeting

Event date: November 11th, 2019

Come celebrate another successful year of local investing and entrepreneurship with Fund Milwaukee! Join us at Velobahn Coffee & Cycle, Monday, November 11, 2019 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM to hear about the impact of the local investments, connect with local investors and entrepreneurs, and celebrate small business.

Annual Event

FoodCrush Podcast: Lauren & Steve Schultz of Purple Door Ice Cream

Posted on: October 4th, 2019

Milwaukee might be a land flowing with frozen custard; but there are an increasing number of local ice cream shops that are giving the classic frozen treat a run for its money. Among them is Purple Door Ice Cream.

September Pitch Meeting

Event date: September 23rd, 2019

Please join us Monday, September 23rd for two local business presentations

Purple Door Brings Indulgent Delights to Sherman Phoenix

Posted on: September 3rd, 2019

Purple Door Ice Cream’s space at the entrance of Sherman Phoenix Public Market (3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave.) is an invitation for partaking in indulgent dairy delights. Purple Door’s position in Phoenix's mezzanine makes it likely the Go to Site

Milwaukee initiative exceeds goal of renovating 100 houses in Sherman Park neighborhood

Posted on: July 23rd, 2019

When you walk through the brick home at 3011 N. Sherman Blvd., you wouldn't know that just nine months ago it didn't even have inside walls. 

However, with the help of a Milwaukee Renovation/Employment Initiative, 104 residential Go to Site

May Pitch Meeting 2019

Event date: May 20th, 2019

Please join us Monday, May 20th for two local business presentations

Visit the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame & Museum

Posted on: May 7th, 2019

World’s only Bobblehead HOF & Museum is a fun experience for all ages.

February Pitch Meeting

Event date: February 25th, 2019

Please join us Monday, February 25th for two local business presentations

December Pitch Meeting

Event date: December 10th, 2018

Please join us Monday, December 10th for two local business presentations

Gov.-elect Tony Evers tours Sherman Phoenix and talks economic development on first visit to Milwaukee since election

Posted on: November 21st, 2018

Gov.-elect Tony Evers used a first public stop in Milwaukee since his Nov. 6 election to tour the successful transformation of a fire-damaged former bank building in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood into a cluster of 28 small businesses s Go to Site

October Pitch Meeting

Event date: October 30th, 2018

Please join us Tuesday, October 30th for two local business presentations

Sherman Phoenix to hold grand opening Nov. 30

Posted on: September 28th, 2018

The Sherman Phoenix, the entrepreneurial and wellness hub in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood, has set Nov. 30 as its grand opening date.

Milwaukee Denim Co. to make jeans in Clarke Square

Posted on: September 4th, 2018

In 2013, Elmer Moore, Jr., moved from New York to Milwaukee. He learned about Milwaukee’s manufacturing heritage, and a thought occurred to him: Milwaukee Denim Co.

“It just sounded like something that should already exist,&a Go to Site

Sherman Phoenix Nears Fundraising Goal

Posted on: August 20th, 2018

This last week marks the two-year anniversary of the Sherman Park uprising—three days of unrest following the fatal police shooting of 23-year-old Sylville Smith. Since that time, multiple community projects and initiatives have begun in an effor Go to Site

Unique Flavors Make Funky Fresh Spring Rolls

Posted on: August 15th, 2018

In 2012, things weren’t going well for Trueman McGee. He was overweight and laid off from his construction job, so he decided to make some lifestyle changes. Adapting to a better way of eating led to a new career as a food entrepreneur—Funk Go to Site

Pete’s Pops plans Aug. 18 grand opening

Posted on: August 9th, 2018

Pete’s Pops plans to host a grand opening for its new permanent storefront at 3809 W. Vliet St. on Aug. 18.

The Company, which makes and sells uniquely flavored popsicles from pushcarts at events and parks in Milwaukee, had pr Go to Site

It’s lonely, but you’re never alone: 12 lessons from a social entrepreneur

Posted on: July 30th, 2018

t’s been roughly 19 months since we opened the doors to The Tandem, a cozy 56-seat restaurant on Milwaukee’s Near North Side. When setting out to open my first restaurant, it was a no-brainer that a location in Lindsay Heights (a major Go to Site

Milwaukee's Fyxation Bicycle to expand into Menomonee Valley building

Posted on: June 25th, 2018

Milwaukee's Fyxation Bicycle Co., which sells its own line of bikes, is expanding to a newly purchased Menomonee Valley building.

Fyxation x Fund Milwaukee Bicycle Release Party

Event date: May 24th, 2018

The time has come to reveal Fyxation's 2018 bicycle models to the world! We could not have made it here without the support of Fund Milwaukee Investors. This party is Fyxation's way of saying thank you for investing in the future of Fyxation. Both the Fyxation Pixel single speed and Eastside Fade Series premium single speed received funding from investors and will be on display at Velobahn cafe for the party.

Next Meeting

Posted on: May 22nd, 2018

We will not be having a meeting in June. Please watch for information about our next meeting, tentatively July 30th.

Funky Fresh Spring Rolls now open in The Shops of Grand Avenue

Posted on: May 16th, 2018

Funky Fresh Spring Rolls has reached a new milestone. The food-based business, which specializes in fresh, healthy fare, including its signature spring rolls, is settling into its new brick-and-mortar location on the ground level of The Shops of Grand Go to Site

April Pitch Meeting

Event date: April 23rd, 2018

Please join us Monday, April 23rd for two local business presentations

Juli Kaufmann to receive BizTimes Woman Executive of the Year Award

Posted on: April 2nd, 2018

Juli Kaufmann, a serial entrepreneur and president of Fix Development, a Milwaukee-based commercial real estate company, will be the recipient of the 2018 BizTimes Woman Executive of the Year Award.

Sherman Park business incubator project nears fundraising goal

Posted on: March 12th, 2018

When the BMO Harris Bank branch in Sherman Park was burned during unrest in 2016, the bank did not walk away. Instead, it built a brand new branch directly across the street and opened it last December.

The old building, it was announced Go to Site

Meet the entrepreneurs who are moving into the Sherman Phoenix: Slideshow

Posted on: March 9th, 2018

If it’s the type of business that would exist on a thriving Main Street corridor, then you’ll be able to find it at the Sherman Phoenix entrepreneurial and wellness hub.

March Pitch Meeting

Event date: March 5th, 2018

Please join us Monday, March 5th for two local business presentations

Milwaukee-based Purple Door Ice Cream expanding to future Mequon Public Market

Posted on: March 2nd, 2018

Locally owned Purple Door Ice Cream is expanding with a store at the new Mequon Public Market, it was announced Friday.

Watt brothers will be portrayed together on another bobblehead, this time wearing respective NFL jerseys

Posted on: February 23rd, 2018

The jerseys have changed, but the Watt brothers will always be linked on the gridiron.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame, a Milwaukee-based institution that released a bobblehead of J.J., Derek and T.J. Watt together.

Pete's Pops will open a storefront on the west side

Posted on: February 12th, 2018

Pete's Pops, carts selling frozen pops around Milwaukee since 2014, will open a storefront and production kitchen on the west side in the coming months.

BMO Harris Bank's new Sherman Park branch opens

Posted on: December 8th, 2017

Seems like just yesterday we squeezed under a tent to escape the rain and celebrate the groundbreaking on a new BMO Harris Bank branch in Sherman Park to replace the old one, which had been damaged in unrest the previous summer.

That's be Go to Site

Early December Pitch Meeting

Event date: December 4th, 2017

Please join us Monday, December 4th for two local business presentations

5:00-5:30 Social
5:30-7:00 Pitches

88.9 Radio Milwaukee

220 E. Pittsburgh Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53204

Beverages available from Stone Creek Coffee for purchase.

The Tandem - One Year Anniversary Party!

Event date: November 25th, 2017

Tandem is holding a celebration the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 25th, and would love for you to join them! No reservations are being accepted, as they want to accommodate all of their supporters, even if it means eating chicken while standing!

They will have a cash bar and an all you can eat buffet for $20/head, plus plenty of fun music and company, and maybe even some Tandem swag for folks who come through.
 

Early November Pitch Meeting

Event date: November 6th, 2017

Please join us Monday, November 6th for two local business presentations

Doors will open at 5 pm
Pitches start at 5:30 pm
Doors close at 7 pm

RSVP 

Sweet potato-carrot puree a favorite for Turkey Day

Posted on: November 2nd, 2017

Thanksgiving tables across the state will have similarities: smiling friends and family, a table of food, thoughts of appreciation and probably some football.

August Pitch Meeting

Event date: August 28th, 2017

Please join us Monday, August 28th for two local business presentations

5:00-5:30 Social
5:30-7:00 Pitches

88.9 Radio Milwaukee

220 E. Pittsburgh Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53204

Beverages available from Stone Creek Coffee for purchase.

RSVP to the August Pitch Meeting

June Pitch Meeting

Event date: June 26th, 2017

Beverages available from Stone Creek Coffee for purchase.

RSVP to the June Pitch Meeting

Foreclosed Homes to Become Artist Haven

Posted on: June 14th, 2017

A new city program aims to turn city-owned tax foreclosed homes into artistic community hubs. The program, originally introduced as a 2017 budget amendment by alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and Russell W. Stamper, II, got a thumbs up from al Go to Site

2016 Annual Meeting – come support local fundraising!

Posted on: May 31st, 2017

Come celebrate another successful year of local fundraising with Fund Milwaukee at Brenner Brewing, Mon, October 24, 2016 from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. …

Rent-To-Own Company Helps Home Buyers

Posted on: May 11th, 2017

Like many American cities, Milwaukee face a crisis of affordable housing and homeownership for its lower income residents.

Owning a home, or having equity in a home, has long been the bedrock of the American middle class. Achieving this has b Go to Site

Historic Wally Schmidt Tavern Redevelopment among MANDI winners: Slideshow

Posted on: April 7th, 2017

The developers and investors in the Historic Wally Schmidt TavernRedevelopment in Milwaukee were among the winners at the MANDI Awards on April 6, a popular event put on by LISC Milwaukee. See the attached slideshow put together by Milwaukee Busin Go to Site

The Tandem: A new restaurant with 2 purposes

Posted on: April 1st, 2017

When Caitlin Cullen looks at the former Wally Schmidt Tavern on the near north side, she sees more than the future home of her restaurant, the Tandem, where chicken and family-style entrées will be the specialties. She sees what could be a& Go to Site

Coast In Bikes parks it on 1st Street

Posted on: January 31st, 2017

Last week, Coast In Bikes rolled into its third location in four years. The latest space, which will most likely serve as home for a while, is located at 838 S. 1st St.

Historic Wally Schmidt Tavern redeveloped in disinvested neighborhood

Posted on: January 26th, 2017

Editor’s note: This article is one of an occasional series profiling the 15 finalists for the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDIs). The Historic Walter Schmidt Tavern is a finalist for the PNC Trailblazer Aw Go to Site

“A movement:” The Juice Kitchen, a locally sourced juicing company, uses fresh ingredients

Posted on: January 10th, 2017

MILWAUKEE -- Brian Kramp spent the morning at The Juice Kitchen in Milwaukee's Lindsay Heights neighborhood. It's a locally sourced juicing company that uses fresh organic ingredients in its drinks created by their juice-olo Go to Site

Annual Meeting

Event date: January 2nd, 2013

Join Fund Milwaukee as it celebrates an amazing 2012 and looks forward to making an even bigger impact in Milwaukee in 2013!

Annual Event

Cash Mobbing

Event date: December 2nd, 2012

Great crowds for the Cash Mobs at Clock Shadow Creamery, Purple Door Ice Cream, Martha’s Pimento Cheese and Sachen Contemporary Imports!

Networking

Cash Mob

Event date: September 19th, 2012

What’s a Cash Mob?  A social event where people come together at a specific location to do a little shopping that puts at least $20/each into the local economy.