FAQ

Wisconsin was uniquely positioned as a tech hub due to its recognized strength in biohealth, which can be seen in BioForward’s most recent Economic Impact Report. The Brookings Institute recognized Wisconsin as a leader in innovation criteria.

Wisconsin’s biohealth sector is spearheading the surging demand for personalized medicine solutions. The state’s historical strength in medical device production and advancements in biomedical imaging, radiation, and nuclear medicine align with its robust manufacturing, precision manufacturing, and automation capabilities, making it a biomanufacturing and biopharmaceutical powerhouse.

The Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, led by BioForward Wisconsin, aims to position Wisconsin as a global leader in personalized medicine, an emerging healthcare approach that tailors tests, treatments, and therapies informed by a patient’s unique genetic code, medical record, and environment. Leveraging its cluster of healthcare assets and track record of commercializing medical research, this Tech Hub seeks to facilitate manufacturing coordination and data sharing, expand lab space and computing capacity, advance the field of critical genomic, diagnostic, and theranostic technology, and accelerate domestic biotech manufacturing.

BioForward is the lead consortium member responsible for the application and reporting requirements. The full consortium is comprised of 18 Wisconsin businesses, education institutions, civic leaders and entrepreneurs. Additionally, Regional Innovation Officer, Wendy Harris, was hired to lead the hub.

Learn more about the tech hub governance here.

The Phase 2 application for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program details specific projects integral to the development of the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub. Funding allocated by the EDA will be strategically invested into projects within the hub. These initiatives will subsequently channel resources towards activities directly benefiting the biohealth community, whether through data initiatives, resource allocation, direct investments, or training programs. Further details will be provided once the EDA finalizes the selection of projects.

We’re thrilled about the support and excitement surrounding the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub! We’re currently awaiting the EDA’s selection of projects and funding levels for Phase 2.

Once these details are finalized, individuals and companies will have a range of opportunities to participate. These may include involvement in entrepreneur programs, training initiatives, providing expertise or input, or even becoming part of the consortium driving the hub’s activities forward.

To stay updated on these upcoming opportunities, we invite you to express your interest by filling out our form or signing up for our email list. By doing so, you’ll ensure you’re among the first to know about any new developments and opportunities for engagement within the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub.