Wisconsin startups raised a record $436M from VCs so far this year

Wisconsin startups raised a record $436M from VCs so far this year

graphic - cash in handWisconsin companies attracted a record $436 million in venture capital dollars across 62 deals in the first three quarters of the year, according to data from PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).

That represents the largest amount of VC dollars raised in the state through the third quarter since at least 2014, which is as far back as the dataset goes. It’s also more than the total amount raised in the state throughout all of 2020, when companies raised $284.5 million from venture investors, and in 2019, when Wisconsin companies raised $222.6 million, the data shows.

Despite Wisconsin’s venture capital gains, it still lags behind many states, including its Midwest neighbors. In 2020, Illinois companies raised $2.8 billion from venture capitalists, Minnesota companies raised $1.8 billion, Ohio companies raised $1.5 billion, Michigan companies raised $558 million and Indiana companies raised $318 million, according to previous PitchBook data.

Companies in metropolitan Milwaukee raised $53 million from venture investors across 19 deals in the first three quarters of 2021, while companies in the Madison area raised $368.28 million across 24 deals.

The top deals closed in Wisconsin during the third quarter