Guiding Rural Innovation and Development in Northern Wisconsin
The Grid is a regional initiative that connects, collaborates and creates opportunity. The GRID leverages innovation to foster economic growth by developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem for our rural recreational region. The GRID is a fabric that binds the entrepreneurial community.
Why focus on innovation?
Innovation fosters economic development and diversifies economies. Small business and start-ups generated more than 80% of job creation in every state in the nation in the past decade. Entrepreneurship creates positive economic and social advantages. From 2017 to 2018 more than 600 Northwoods start-ups generated more than 2000 jobs. The need to encourage and support entrepreneurial activity has never been more important.
Our Mission
The GRID champions entrepreneurial thinking and cultivates an entrepreneurial ecosystem that drives regional economic vitality and connects business builders to the resources, education, expertise, and social connections that will help new ventures succeed and help entrepreneurs thrive in the Northwoods.
What We Do
The GRID is a collaborative network that compliments other regional economic development initiatives to offer far more value than the sum of its parts.
The GRID cultivates a culture of innovation
The GRID organizes discussions around innovation and entrepreneurship and amplifies awareness of partner events to engage the entire community.
The Grid celebrates the benefits of innovation in the community
The GRID showcases the stories of successful entrepreneurs and innovators and highlights the value innovation brings to the community.
The GRID provides training for innovators and entrepreneurs
The GRID offers workshops, training and educational programs for entrepreneurs.
The GRID connects business builders to resources, education and expertise
The GRID identifies resources for entrepreneurs and provides multiple ways for entrepreneurs to find the diverse knowledge, resources and support they need to succeed.
