UpStart concludes, following its final cohort in Spring 2026
For more than a decade, WARF’s UpStart program has been a welcoming space where ideas, education and community connections helped entrepreneurs move forward. Launched by WARF and the City of Madison Department of Civil Rights in 2013, the program expanded access to entrepreneurial training and practical business support in Madison and surrounding communities.
Through 25 cohorts and nearly 600 participants, UpStart empowered founders, strengthened local businesses, and contributed to a more connected and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center at UW-Madison (SBDC) created and delivered the program’s curriculum, providing expert instruction and one-on-one advising. Together, WARF and the SBDC ensured participants had the tools and mentorship needed to launch and grow their ventures. A variety of courses and business advising continues to be offered through the SBDC.
As UpStart concludes, we celebrate the entrepreneurs, partners and mentors who made it such a meaningful success. Its legacy lives on in the businesses created, the confidence built and the continued leadership of its alumni. We are especially proud that many of our alumni and partners have gone on to create opportunities, expanding the network of support and capacity of the region.
For those seeking future entrepreneurial training and support, we encourage you to explore these trusted partners:
- Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Madison
- The HUB (Black Business Hub)
- Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub at UW-Madison
- Progress Center for Black Women
- StartingBlock Madison
UPSTART ALUMNI