Building a company from University of Wisconsin-Madison
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University of Wisconsin-Madison entrepreneurship
Review the documented university identity, entrepreneurship programs, and sources connected to University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Online destinations
Find University of Wisconsin-Madison online
Where to find this organization online, grouped by who runs each page. A link here does not mean the organization controls it.
Official links
Pages the organization runs itself.
Startup and research standing
Where University of Wisconsin-Madison stands
- in PitchBook University Rankings: Undergraduate Founders
- #18
- 2026
- alumni founders, 724 companies
- 802
- 2026
- raised by those companies
- $50.2B
- 2026
- university rankings list it
- 7 of 13
- Rankings ledger
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PitchBook University Rankings: Undergraduate Founders | 2026 | #18 | Up 9 | B | Activity, Talent, Ecosystem |
| PitchBook University Rankings: Female Founders | 2026 | #25 | Up 5 | B | Activity, Talent, Ecosystem |
 CWUR World University Rankings (Global 2000 List) | 2026 | #29 | No prior edition | B | Research, Prestige, Talent |
 Academic Ranking of World Universities | 2026 | =35 | Down 16 | A | Research, Prestige |
| PitchBook University Rankings: Graduate Founders | 2025 | #36 | No prior edition | B | Activity, Talent, Ecosystem |
 Nature Index Research Leaders | 2026 | #65 | No prior edition | B | Research |
 SCImago Institutions Rankings | 2026 | #75 | No prior edition | A | Research, Innovation, Prestige |
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Turning research into a company
Research groups at University of Wisconsin-Madison and the programs that fund spinouts.
Finding University of Wisconsin-Madison startups early
Other ways in Students, Scouts
Starting something as a student
Scouting University of Wisconsin-Madison teams
Connected organizations
Around University of Wisconsin-Madison
01Research
Faculties, labs and teams
Applied Clinical Informatics Section, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthUniversity, since 2024
Bucky's ClassroomUniversity, since 2015
Chinese Language Learner's Bridge FundUniversity, since 2017
International Reach ProgramUniversity
James A. Graaskamp Center for Real EstateUniversity, since 1971
Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic : University of Wisconsin Law SchoolUniversity, since 2009
02Community
Student and founder groups
UW AOS Alumni Engagement BoardCommunity, since 2016
Women's Pre-Law Association at UW-MadisonCommunity, since 2024
03Build
Incubate and accelerate
Discovery to ProductAccelerator, since 2014
Overview
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) has a dynamic start-up and venture capital (VC) ecosystem. Its vibrant entrepreneur community blossomed over the past decade, with numerous startups founded and funded, many of which target the biotechnology sector, influenced by the university's prominent biological and life science programs.
Notable startups originated from UW-Madison include EatStreet, a leading online and mobile food ordering service, and Propeller Health, a digital health company dedicated to the management of chronic respiratory diseases. Both companies raised substantial funding in their respective domains, showcasing the depth and diversity of the university's startup scene.
The university's support for its entrepreneurs extends beyond its curriculum. The UW-Madison Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic provides free legal services to entrepreneurs, enhancing their knowledge of essential business laws. The Discovery to Product (D2P) initiative is another key driver in fostering the university's innovation and entrepreneurship environment. It is an integrated initiative which provides funding, coaching, and resources for the commercialization of ideas.
Furthermore, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) plays a pivotal role in nurturing startups at UW-Madison. It is among the oldest and most successful technology transfer offices in the nation, and it consistently ranks in the top 10 in U.S. for the number of patents issued amongst universities.
The university's alumni have also created significant impact in the VC industry. Prominent alumni venture capitalists include Brad Feld, co-founder of the Techstars accelerator and one of the managing directors at Foundry Group, a Boulder, Colorado-based VC firm.
Overall, UW-Madison's startup and VC ecosystem is marked by an extraordinary level of collaboration between researchers, students, investors, and other stakeholders. It remains a fulcrum for promising startups, celebrating new ideas and fostering innovation.
Ranked near University of Wisconsin-Madison in PitchBook University Rankings: Undergraduate Founders
Similar universities
| # | University | Founders | Companies | Raised | Raised per company |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Yale University | 887 | 825 | $55.5B | |
| 14 | Princeton University | 845 | 792 | $78.5B | |
| 15 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 840 | 807 | $32.6B | |
| 16 | Columbia University | 829 | 784 | $34.5B | |
| 17 | University of Toronto | 808 | 737 | $53.9B | |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin, MadisonThis page | 802 | 724 | $50.2B | |
| 19 | New York University | 799 | 753 | $29.7B | |
| 20 | University of Southern California (USC) | 791 | 744 | $43B | |
| 21 | Duke University | 790 | 755 | $45.4B | |
| 22 | Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay | 756 | 590 | $33.6B | |
| 23 | McGill University | 721 | 662 | $30.3B |
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