Wisconsin's Forest Products Industry: Deep Roots, New Growth
Wisconsin has been making paper since the year it became a state and it's still the #1 state for paper products today. The industry is shifting away from white and magazine paper toward packaging, advanced materials, and innovations like nanocellulose in concrete. At this week's GBIG 5P Showcase Expo in Green Bay, Laura Strong walked through how 1,250 forest products businesses are navigating that transition and why family-owned companies with patient capital are built for it.
Growing Scalable Companies in Wisconsin: Inc. 5000 Analysis
We analyzed 49 Wisconsin companies on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list to understand how they're funding growth. While most venture capital goes to software and biohealth, the fastest-growing Wisconsin companies span tech, consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, and logistics—using everything from bootstrapping to equity financing to debt. This variety supports our thesis that Wisconsin needs expanded growth capital options for sustainable, long-lasting companies.
How Company Stage and Business Model Impact Capital Choices
Not all capital fits all businesses. Venture capital works for rapid-scale exits. Bank debt suits stable, asset-backed companies. Revenue-based financing serves growing businesses with predictable revenue. Your stage and business model determine which structure preserves control while fueling growth. We explain how different capital types align with investor expectations—and what that means for Wisconsin founders.
NVNG +Venture North 2025
Last week's +Venture North in Milwaukee offered concrete advice for founders raising capital:
Match capital to risk. Your primary business risk should align with your investor's expectations and timeline.
Revenue drives interest. Investors want proof of commercialization. Creative structures—like fleet-as-a-service financing—can help you get there.
Clarify corporate partnerships upfront. Understand their goals, timelines, and whether buying cycle access is included.
These challenges are why Valency Fund provides Wisconsin companies with capital structures that fit their growth stage and business model.
Three Sessions, One Goal: Better Capital Decisions for Wisconsin Founders
Finding the right capital partner shouldn't feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. Join Valency Fund at ForwardFest for "Capital That Fits"—three sessions designed to help Wisconsin founders make informed capital decisions.
Learn from funders specializing in revenue based financing, hear real founder stories, and discover practical frameworks for funding readiness.
August 21st, 2025, 1-4 PM at DreamBank, Madison.