• Save the date for SSTI's 2024 Annual Conference

    Join us December 10-12 in Arizona to connect with and learn from your peers working around the country to strengthen their regional innovation economies. Visit ssticonference.org for more information and sign up to receive updates.

  • Become an SSTI Member

    As the most comprehensive resource available for those involved in technology-based economic development, SSTI offers the services that are needed to help build tech-based economies.  Learn more about membership...

  • Subscribe to the SSTI Weekly Digest

    Each week, the SSTI Weekly Digest delivers the latest breaking news and expert analysis of critical issues affecting the tech-based economic development community. Subscribe today!

New Milwaukee Initiative Intends to Connect Design Talent with Manufactures

September 21, 2011
  • Forward logo
  • LinkedIn logo

The Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC) announced Innovation in Milwaukee (MiKE) — a new $500,000 initiative designed to align southeastern Wisconsin's global and advanced manufacturers with the region's design, technology and innovation companies. MiKE will be built around three core elements:

  • Developing hi-tech talent for design and technology startups aligned with service and product delivery for companies in the cluster and for entrepreneurship within the cluster;
  • Creating OPEN MiKE — a physical and virtual space that promotes open source entrepreneurship and technology prototyping; and,
  • Establishing the MiKE Council— a leadership group tasked with guiding the growth of Milwaukee's design, technology and innovation cluster.

GMC hopes that the development of a design, technology and innovation cluster will turn Milwaukee's strong manufacturing base (ranked second among the top 50 U.S. metros, according to the press release) into an advanced manufacturing hub fueled by rapid innovation and talent growth and attraction. The MiKE initiative is supported by a grant from ArtPlace — a new initiative of 11 of America's top foundations working in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts and seven federal agencies. Visit MiKE's website...

Wisconsinmanufacturing, clusters