Business development leaders, including several from University of Wisconsin campuses, presented economic development success stories during the UW System Board of Regents meeting last week in Madison. Left to right: Bon Wikenheiser, state director, Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC); Colleen Merrill, SBDC director, UW-Oshkosh; Kevin Kaufman, SBDC director, UW-Whitewater; Danielle Campeau, SBDC director, UW-River Falls; Dale Jorgenson, board member, River Falls Economic Development Corporation; and Mark Lange, executive director, Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship.

UW-River Falls a model for small business development in Western Wisconsin

July 15, 2019 – Working above and beyond the boundaries of traditional business incubation, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls empowers entrepreneurs and business owners to launch successful companies with local, regional and global partnerships.

“UW-River Falls is committed to helping shape the future of Western Wisconsin by fostering innovation and partnership,” said UW-River Falls Chancellor Dean Van Galen. “The St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center exemplifies the impact of strategically aligning university resources with the needs of businesses and entrepreneurs in the region.” 

During the July meeting of the UW System Board of Regents, UW-River Falls Director of the Center for Innovation and Business Development Danielle Campeau shared numerous success stories highlighting businesses started, jobs created and dreams realized.

“We are increasing access for local businesses and the community to obtain the services they need to grow, to innovate and to make a difference in the world,” said Campeau. “Our mission is to be a catalyst for business growth and innovative thinking by providing high-quality services and engaging students, faculty and external partners in the process.”

“We just released our annual report. Within six months of opening our doors, we had an occupancy of 62.8%,” Campeau added. “We supported 31 organizations in 2018 and our tenants created 34 jobs, received $6.35 million in private investment and filed three patents. We are extremely proud of their success.”

To support innovation on campus, UW-River Falls hosts a semi-annual Innovator in Residence event which features a speaker from innovative businesses such as 3M, General Mills and Land O’Lakes.

To learn more about the St. Croix Valley Innovation Center, visit https://www.stcroixinnovation.org or email danielle.campeau@uwrf.edu.