Page 84 - FDI Alliance International Magazine, July 2019 Interactive Issue_Neat

GOVERNOR
TONY EVERS

STATE OF

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central With ninety-six percent of the world’s population living Dairyland,” the state’s contributions to the health,
United States, in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. outside of the United States, Wisconsin understand that nutrition and quality of life of people around the world
It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the the people are best served by their innovations often live extends far beyond the milk and cheese produced by
southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the in distant lands. That’s why Wisconsin has developed our proud farmers. Vitamins A and B were discovered
east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to partnerships across the globe to enhance sustainable at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the early
the north. Wisconsin is the 23rd largest state by total water and energy resources management practices. 20th century, as was a method for enriching food with
area and the 20th most populous. The state capital And it’s why they have shared their state’s agriculture, vitamin D to treat conditions including psoriasis and
is Madison, and its largest city is Milwaukee, which is and food and beverage production insights with industry osteoporosis. And in 1998, one of the major milestones
located on the western shore of Lake Michigan. The leaders worldwide, many of whom travel to Wisconsin in the history of science took place at the same Wisconsin
state is divided into 72 counties. or establish operational facilities here to leverage our institution: developmental biologist James Thomson
state’s industry expertise. became the first in the world to isolate human embryonic
Encouraging innovation and fostering an environment stem cells, a discovery that later fueled the reverse
of success for industry and its supporting workforce. Wisconsin’s early-stage health and life science firms and engineering of stem cells from human skin cells.
Leveraging strategic partnerships throughout the state the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC)
to help Wisconsin companies start up, grow and reach received national attention for the state’s success over WEDC works collaboratively with other agencies,
new markets. the past decade in landing competitive federal grants. corporations and nonprofit minority business associations
Wisconsin ranked third after Oregon and Vermont in to provide financial and operational assistance,
Wisconsin influence in the world starts with a desire to securing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and resources and statewide networking opportunities to
create mutually beneficial outcomes. From a welcoming Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding from minority entrepreneurs and business owners.
environment that encourages foreign direct investment the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2008-2017.
to breakthrough discoveries that address some of the The 23 percent win rate for applications (248 awards Hundreds of businesses each year are served by WEDC,
world’s most pressing challenges, they know that by from 1,056 submissions) resulted in $87 million invested including the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of
working together, they can all realize Wisconsin’s full in the state’s entrepreneurial efforts Wisconsin, the African-American Chamber of
potential. While Wisconsin is perhaps best known as “America’s Commerce of Wisconsin, the Hmong Chamber of

84 FDI ALLIANCE | JULY ISSUE 2019