InvestorInvesting in Wisconsin's entrepreneurial future.
The startup scene in United States
Madison, Wisconsin, has a documented connection to Exact Sciences: the company says it moved its corporate headquarters to Madison in 2009, after being founded in Marlborough, Massachusetts, in 1995. (Claims 36606, 36607)
About
Madison, Wisconsin, has a documented connection to Exact Sciences: the company says it moved its corporate headquarters to Madison in 2009, after being founded in Marlborough, Massachusetts, in 1995. (Claims 36606, 36607)
University-linked company formation and commercialization figures describe activity across Wisconsin or around UW–Madison technology, not Madison alone. UW–Madison reports more than 400 university-started companies across Wisconsin since 1990, while WARF reports more than 30 active portfolio companies and over 50 direct startup investments involving UW technology. (Claims 36614, 36615)
Historical reporting by Isthmus traced Epic Systems' health software and headquarters growth from Madison toward Verona, with milestones in 1992, 1994, and 2002. (Claim 36618)
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Madison ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | #143 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Emerging Ecosystems Ranking (GSER Top 100) | 2026 | 71 to 80 | No prior edition | C | Ecosystem, Performance, Finance, Talent |
32 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Madison
Investors 23
Investor
InvestorInvesting in the future of work through transformative technology.
InvestorTransforming healthcare through early-stage innovation.
The 3 most prominent of 23. Browse all investors
Accelerators 4
Acceleratorgener8tor is a nationally ranked startup accelerator based in Wisconsin, focusing on underserved markets. It offers a range of programs including…
AcceleratorAccelerating early-stage startups in Wisconsin.
AcceleratorTransforming innovations into marketable products.
The 3 most prominent of 4. Browse all accelerators
Venture studios 3
Venture studioBringing ideas to market through innovation and collaboration.
Venture studioCreative and venture studio for startups.
Venture studioCo-creating startups with leading corporations and entrepreneurs.
Incubators 2
IncubatorBiotech incubator supporting early-stage startups.
IncubatorSupporting small businesses with affordable space and resources.
Based here, most-ranked first
Universities in Madison
UniversityListed in 7 rankings
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Madison
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Madison
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Madison
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingFrom public sources
What the sources say about Madison
gener8tor showed no open applications or upcoming Madison cohort on October 2, 2026.
Source: gBETA Madison, WIStartingBlock listed Madworks 2026 applications as closed on October 2, 2026.
Source: Madworks | StartingBlockEpic dates its founding to 1979 and reports more than 325 million current patient records.
Source: AboutStartupBlink placed Madison at #153 globally and #47 nationally in September 2026, using company investment, employees, and web traffic in its startup ranking.
Source: Top Startups in MadisonThe Hub attributes 28 billion-dollar companies to 33 alumni founders during 1997–2021.
Source: Wisconsin Entrepreneurship HubUW–Madison reports over 400 university-started companies across Wisconsin since 1990.
Source: Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub
Questions about Madison
How does Madison rank as a startup ecosystem?
Madison is #143 of 1,473 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 2 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Madison?
23 investors based in Madison have a profile here, including Wisconsin Investment Partners, Acadian Ventures and Venture Investors Health Fund. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Madison?
Yes. Madison has 4 accelerators, 2 incubators and 3 venture studios on record, including gener8tor, Forward BIOLABS and SuperSonic.
Which universities are in Madison?
One university has a profile: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Madison
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