MKE Startup News: A New Approach to Scaling WI Startups
MKE Startup News • Anna Lardinois, Startup Storyteller
Published: April 9, 2025
Laura sits down with MKE Startup News to discuss the vision behind Valency Fund, the funding gap she identified after 25 years in Wisconsin's biotech and entrepreneurship ecosystem, and the innovative financial mechanisms the fund is testing to support growth-stage companies.
Interview highlights:
Why Valency Fund was created to bridge the gap between venture capital and bank loans
Testing revenue-based financing beyond SaaS models for high-margin businesses
Supply chain financing that leverages capital from existing customer relationships
Redeemable equity as an alternative to forced exits, aligning with Wisconsin's generational company culture
The decision to structure as a nonprofit to enable experimentation and sustainable capital recycling
Target profile: growth-stage companies with recurring revenue, clear path to profitability, and capital needs of $100K-$500K
The chemistry behind the name: forming bonds to unite founders, partners, and resources
Read the full interview:
Related from our blog:
→ How Company Stage and Business Model Impact Capital Choices
→ Filling in the Funding Landscape: Valency Fund
Ready to scale your Wisconsin business without pressure to sell? [Learn about our investment approach →]
