Business start-ups tap into region’s entrepreneur ecosystem
Kristin Lambrecht always dreamed of having her own bakery. When the timing was right, she opened a home-based bakery, but soon the demand required her to open a separate space for her business, Kristin’s Kitchen Bakery.
That’s when she tapped into the New North’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, enrolling in the E-Seed program at Fox Valley Technical College and signing up for the NEW Launch Alliance pitch contest, where she won her local contest and advanced to the regional final to take third place.
“It was a little nerve-racking to present your pitch in front of a group of judges, but I had people there supporting me. I came out of it with some great connections and even appeared on a local TV show where I got to talk about my business,” Lambrecht said.
NEW Launch Alliance – making connections
Created in 2020, the NEW Launch Alliance provides a variety of support to entrepreneurs throughout the 18 counties of the New North.
“The Alliance provides assistance and resources for entrepreneurs, and we encourage them to reach out to the New North to ask for help on how to move their business forward,” said New North CEO Barb LaMue, adding that each Wednesday’s New North News is dedicated to what’s happening with entrepreneurism in the region. “People can read the NEW Launch Alliance newsletter to learn about pitch events, new startups and founder success stories.”
The region is rich in entrepreneurial programs, from business accelerators to 1 Million Cups—a product of the Kauffman Foundation—to the very seasoned Packers Mentor Protégé Program, which all assist founders in meeting mentors and connecting to other resources.
“If someone is hesitant about attending a Million Cups gathering or similar event, we extend a personal invitation and offer to go with them,” LaMue said. “From there, they can begin growing their own network.”
A new addition to the area’s offerings includes Lawrence University’s new Business & Entrepreneurship Center, which is in the Fox Commons development in downtown Appleton. The center includes a new gener8tor start-up accelerator.
New North, Inc. was also an early adopter of Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.’s Start in Wisconsin program, which connects entrepreneurs with resources, events, and experts tailored to their specific needs and communities.
Meeting a need
Nicole Tilot is another entrepreneur who’s tapped into what the New North offers to business start-ups. She launched AppEase — a digital platform that makes it easier for insurance carriers to determine coverage faster and more accurately.
“I just thought there needed to be a faster way to get insurance approvals completed. With AppEase, the records can be transferred much easier,” said Tilot, who previously worked as a financial advisor. “Insurers are excited to have this tool since it can take so long to get some approvals while consumers demand the process be easier.”
Since the technical solution deals with healthcare records, it’s been a bit challenging to get AppEase up and running.
“There are so many laws and regulations in place around sharing health records, including making sure the patient signs a HIPAA release, but we’re getting there and are about to partner with a customer on a pilot program,” Tilot said.
Tilot participated in the gBETA business accelerator program and the nationwide Prosper Healthtech Accelerator to help launch her business.
“Resources are critical to starting businesses. Starting a business from scratch is a lot of work,” she said. “We have a strong community here that supports entrepreneurs.”
A member of the Urban Hub in Green Bay, Tilot heard about the NEW Launch Alliance pitch contest and joined the competition.
“It’s hard to capture everything your business does in four minutes, but it helps you drill down. We’re a technical solution and every time we get an opportunity to talk about what we do, we go after it,” she said. “Pitch contests are a great way to get the word out about what you do.”
Growing an idea
Located in Wild Rose, Kristin’s Kitchen Bakery serves Waushara County, along with the neighboring counties of Waupaca, Green Lake and Marquette. It offers breads, baked donuts, cakes, cupcakes, scones, cinnamon rolls and brownies.
“Starting your own business requires a lot of work, and I wanted to make sure I knew as much as possible about running a business, which is why I signed up for E-Seed,” Lambrecht said.
While originally focused on running a bakery, Lambrecht wants to expand her business to include a mini golf course and an ice cream shop.
“I really didn’t know what to expect (at the pitch contest). Everyone’s presentations went so well. I was honored to finish third,” she said.
Lambrecht is impressed by what the region has to offer for entrepreneurs.
“There is so much help available to businesses looking to start out whether it’s a program like E-Seed or help with finding a mentor that you can bounce ideas off,” she said. “The New North is a great place to bring your business idea to life.”
Mary Beth Matzek
Owner, 1BizzyWriter
