Our Program

PROGRAM

Since 2014, Madworks has offered early-stage startups a 10-week program, comprising tailored mentorship on commercializing the entrepreneur’s product and/or service and building governance acumen. To date, we have helped over 115 early stage startups in a wide variety of industries. We look forward to working with our next cohort of up to 8 up-and-coming companies from Wisconsin, starting in October 2023. In addition to receiving a $6,500 grant and connecting them to entrepreneurial leaders in the community, we ensure that startups obtain a foundation in legal compliance, quality board management skills, and financial knowledge.

We are excited that our programs now bring a close partnership with StartingBlock, allowing Madworks companies to leverage the wide array of resources that StartingBlock offers to its members and the larger entrepreneurial community.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

-$6,500 in grant funding per participating team
-1 year membership to StartingBlock (24x7 access), with an exclusive space at StartingBlock dedicated to Madworks companies. Up to 2 keycards provided per company, provided to co-founders actively involved in the Madworks program.
-Regular access to Madworks & StartingBlock staff and connections to their network of mentors and experts
-StartingBlock member benefits, including 90% discount on Hubspot CRM. Perks with over 100 companies that serve startups, thanks to StartingBlock's partnership with Morrow.

SCHEDULE FOR WINTER 2024

Madworks Accelerator powered by StartingBlock will run for 10 weeks, from February 14 to April 25 (with 1 week off for spring break).

We will typically meet twice a week; once as a group on Wednesday afternoons, where we will learn from outside speakers, discuss biggest challenges, hold pitch practices, and more; and once individually on Thursday afternoons, where we will spend 30 - 45 minutes discussing your exact needs and challenges with experienced mentors. Each company will have its own time slot on Thursdays.

Meetings will be held in person at StartingBlock, 821 E Washington Ave, Madison WI.

Additionally, Madworks staff will hold weekly Wednesday morning office hours and partner organizations will also hold office hours on select Wednesdays. Madworks entrepreneurs are also highly encouraged to take advantage of the wide variety of programming offered by StartingBlock.

Tentative Schedule for Winter 2024 (Subject to Change)

REQUIREMENTS

-Participate in all group and individual meetings. (LOOK AT THE CALENDAR!)*
-Participating teams to meet at StartingBlock Madison. Select mentor sessions will be held virtually
-Individual company milestones set on mutual agreement between founding teams and Madworks staff in weekly half-hour meetings, which will be held at a regularly scheduled time
-Ten-week commitment
-Part-time program; participating teams are expected to spend 20 hours per week on their venture (20 hrs/week total, NOT just for Madworks)

-Must be a WI-based for-profit company.

*SCHEDULING MESSAGE: We understand you may have work travel or other scheduling conflicts. These will be handled by the Madworks Program Manager on an individual basis. Contact support@madworksaccelerator.org to discuss further.

SKILLS GAINED

-Develop good governance processes: board, legal, financial
-Develop financial statements and final control procedures
-Using lean startup methods, participating teams will accelerate their understanding of marketplace needs and viability for their product
-Refine your pitch
-Identify next-round funding where appropriate
-Learn how to effectively run a board meeting
-Find additional mentors/advisers/resources
-Build your network and get to know other startup founders
-And more!

APPLY HERE BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 19