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EntrepreNews Fall 2025

By Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship

December 11, 2025

Weinert Newsletter header

EntrepreNews

Fall 2025

Greetings Alumni and Friends of the Weinert Center,

As the fall semester unfolds, we are excited to share highlights from our entrepreneurial community. This season brings new faces, inspiring stories, and opportunities to connect.

We kicked off the year with the Idea to Aisle Pitch Competition. First-year BBA and pre-business students teamed up to brainstorm frozen and packaged food ideas. This event was hosted by the Weinert Center in partnership with Happi Co., founded by WSB alumni. 

We are also very excited to share that the Steve and Leslie Goldberg Family, along with other generous supporters, have contributed over $360,000 to the Weinert Center in honor of our very own Lisa Collins –celebrating her incredible dedication to our students, staff and programs.

We are proud to introduce the Wisconsin Fellowship in Enterprise Development Class of 2026—a talented group of students eager to make an impact in the entrepreneurial world. Their diverse experiences and ambitions promise an exciting year ahead.

The Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Showcase brought together alumni, students, and community leaders for an evening of networking and inspiration. It was a powerful celebration of innovation and collaboration across campus.

We are also thrilled to welcome two new faculty members to the MHR Department: Dr. Sik Chung and Dr. Jingya You. Sik’s research explores the intersection of AI and innovation, while Jingya focuses on venture capital—expertise that will enrich our programs and advance entrepreneurial scholarship. 

The StartUp Learning Community continues to thrive as a hub for entrepreneurial energy. This fall, we celebrate the launch of Women in Entrepreneurship, a new student organization dedicated to empowering female founders and innovators.

Our Student Entrepreneur Profile features Aidan Northcutt, who is currently taking our Introduction to Entrepreneurship course, as a great example of how our students turn ideas into action. 

Finally, our Alumni Spotlight shines on Tad Milbourn who graduated from our BBA program in 2006 and after leaving Intuit has successfully launched new businesses. He is a lifelong advocate for small businesses and his latest company, GiftBlazer, has a platform the supports both shoppers and the stores.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we are building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that transforms ideas into impact.

Warm regards,

Martin

Martin Ganco

Martin Ganco
Academic Director, Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship
Wisconsin School of Business


Highlights from our blog

Students explaining their pitch into microphone.

Idea to Aisle Pitch Competition

Co-sponsored with Happi Co., over 100 students pitched their ideas for the next crave-worthy frozen or packaged food item

Dan Olszewski, Lisa Collins, Steve, Leslie and Will Goldberg

When Generosity Meets Gratitude

This honor is in recognition of Lisa’s exceptional dedication and lasting contributions to the Weinert Center

Fellowship Class of 2026

Meet the Wisconsin Fellowship in Enterprise Development Class of 2026

MEB welcomed 70 graduate students for a week of technology entrepreneurship

Marie Moody, Nick Lawton and Chris Fernandez

Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Showcase

Three UW-Madison alumn shared their inspiring and unique stories to the students

Sik Chung and Jingya You

Welcome to Two New  Entrepreneurship Faculty

We welcome Assistant Professors Dr. Sik Chung and Dr. Jingya You to the MHR Department

Trinity Krohn, Alka Lakadia and Samantha Fong

StartUp Learning Community

Women in Entrepreneurship is UW’s first student club supporting future female founders

Aidan Northcutt

Student Entrepreneur Profile: Aidan Northcutt

Aidan Northcutt is teeing up an innovative solution for golf courses that allows them to raise the par

Tad Milbourn

Alumni Spotlight: Tad Milbourn

Tad’s newest venture, GiftBlazer, is changing how people discover local one-of-a-kind gifts


Center Support

Thank you for supporting Entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Board Member News

Learn more about our distinguished board members.

Faculty/Staff News

Thought leaders in entrepreneurship making a difference.

Student News

Be inspired by our entrepreneurial students.

Alumni News

Stay connected with former classmates.

Events

Attend or revisit Weinert Center events.

Business & Entrepreneurship Clinic News

Students fuse academics and practice by assisting faculty entrepreneurs and area businesses.

INSITE News

Initiative for Studies in Transformational entrepreneurship fosters research and programs on campus and in the community.