For years, the Midwest has wrestled with a reputation problem.
Despite being home to powerhouse industries, world-class universities, and leading global corporations, the region hasn’t been seen as a natural breeding ground for startups or the venture capital that fuels them. The dominant narrative has been: innovation lives on the coasts. If you’re looking for the next big thing, you have to look there.
That’s never been true. But exposure, connectivity, and capital – those have been missing.
The challenge is twofold. First, founders and early investors often overlook the Midwest, assuming innovation doesn’t deliver returns at scale here. Second, our region’s corporations – the very enterprises that could benefit most from new technologies are left out of the loop or often aren’t sure how to engage.
That’s why NVNG Investment Advisors was created: to bridge the gap.
We’re not just investing in local startups. We’re building a platform that connects the Midwest’s largest institutions with the best emerging technologies globally, delivered through curated venture capital portfolios aligned to our local corporate needs.
And more than anything, we’re focused on what’s next. Because what happens in Wisconsin, and the broader Midwest, shouldn’t be hidden. It should be amplified.
At NVNG, we specialize in constructing venture portfolios that make sense for institutions and corporations. Instead of solely backing a smaller number of startups directly, we invest in the venture fund landscape with NVNG now holding over 20 institutional venture capital funds, unlocking exposure to over 315 startups solving sector-specific problems. We then work directly with our corporate partners to help identify, connect, and act on those opportunities from wherever they may be.
But venture capital isn’t just about who you know. It’s about who you bring together. It’s about how your network convenes.
This October – over 300 investors, corporate innovators, and founders gathered in Milwaukee for our third annual +Venture North. This wasn’t just a convening; it was a statement. A sold-out room of builders and capital allocators, under one roof, focused on one thing: accelerating innovation throughout and for the Midwest.
When 130 venture capitalists get on planes, come to Milwaukee, spend time making meaningful connections – it’s not just NVNG asking them nicely, there is now an undeniable need to see what is brewing throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. These coastal innovators and investors want in.
Attendees included national VC firms, top-tier fund managers, emerging startups, and innovation leaders from some of the Midwest’s most influential corporations. What set it apart wasn’t just the content, it was the intentionality.
“Having a classy, fun, and productive event is hard enough — but you pulled off all three,” said one attendee.
“We met new investors, saw familiar faces, and found a potential new investment in Wisconsin,” said another.
This is how ecosystems get built. It’s through consistent connection, not one-off efforts. And the impact is real:
“We have three meetings set with potential corporate customers as a direct result of attending,” a founder shared. “+Venture North still holds the title of Most Valuable Conference to our team,” said another.
These aren’t just compliments. They’re signals that something important is happening here and that something is worth paying attention to.
Why it matters now
Corporations can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. From climate to supply chains, AI to advanced manufacturing – the forces shaping industries today are accelerating. The companies that win will be the ones that engage early, not late.
And yet, many in the Midwest are still betting on outdated models: local venture initiatives operating grant-like programs with no accountability, or siloed efforts with limited financial returns or without scale.
That’s not innovation. That’s inertia.
The smarter move? Engage with platforms built for real outcomes – financial, strategic, and economic. Platforms that combine capital, connectivity, and curation.
If you’re in the Midwest corporate C-suite, read this twice
The opportunity isn’t theoretical anymore. You have peers, in Wisconsin and across the Midwest, already putting capital to work, engaging with high-growth startups, and leveraging venture networks to future-proof their organizations.
The demand is clear – and so is the opportunity. Whether you’re managing transformation, chasing growth, or staying ahead of competitors, venture capital can be your true advantage. But only if you plug in – not to noise, but to a network that filters signal from chaos.
Your next partner may not be headquartered here, but they want to work with you. They’ve been backed by top investors and venture capitalists. They were at +Venture North. And they’re looking for serious corporate partners in our region.
Let’s make sure the next innovation story includes Wisconsin not as an afterthought, but as a driver.
The Midwest doesn’t need to catch up. It’s already happening. In building our new reputation, it’s time to lead.
Grady Buchanan is co-founder and managing director of Madison-based NVNG Investment Advisors, LLC.
