UpStart Alumni Businesses
ArrowStar Photography
Shalicia Johnson
Photographer specializing in Lifestyle, Newborn, Child, Family and Events, capturing invaluable moments in time to bring profound joy and preserve memories.
Artesan Fruit
Eder Valle
Family catering company that creates custom works of art, by sculpting fruit into centerpieces and edible arrangements.
Bravebird
Alex Miranda Cruz & Noel Miranda
Award-winning filmmakers, who develop and produce impactful, meaningful, and memorable stories with diverse creatives
CEOs of Tomorrow
Roxie Hentz, PhD.
Hands-on programs that immerse kids in social entrepreneurship – create businesses that solve social problems or benefit the community.
CocoaBean
Alix Shabazz & T. Banks
Hand-made organic skin care products for sensitive skin, with the strong commitment to transforming the world by transforming ourselves.
Community CoWorks
Kristi Warriner
Workspace, collaboration, camaraderie and community among a diverse group of entrepreneurs, non-profits, startups, Etsy businesses, free-lancers, remote workers, writers, artists, salespeople and anyone else that needs to work with creative and successful people to spark their own productivity.
ConNEXTions
Saran Ouk
Mentoring, networking and personal and professional development for underrepresented young adults between the ages of 18 to 29.
Duncan’s Dog Daycare
Samantha Fiscus
Provides a holistic approach to daytime dog supervision services on Madison’s east side in a beautiful indoor and outdoor facility with small group sizes supervised by trained staff, separation of small and big dogs, structured training and games with treats, aromatherapy and more.
Flavor Temptations
Sara Parthasarathy
Organic Indian meal kits “Flavor Temptations” that inspire families to experience ethnic Indian culture. Sold in over 70 stores in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
F.O.S.T.E.R. (Families Overcoming Struggles To Encourage Restoration)
Jackie Hunt
A wraparound case management program which seeks to address the needs of families, single-parent households, those at risk of involvement in the foster care system, and/or parent(s) of those who have been incarcerated.
Hedi LaMarr Photography
Hedi LaMarr
A skilled photographer and journalist proud to capture the many colorful threads of the greater Madison community, including events, weddings, and portraiture. Always infusing art and activism as a means of giving voice to those who might otherwise be voiceless.
THE JILLS OF ALL TRADES
Megan Boswell & Corinne Neil
Community-driven platform that supports and promotes consultants, independent contractors, solo professionals and entrepreneurs.
Just Veggiez
James Bloodsaw
Plant-based food and catering company serving up healthier versions of your favorite foods.
La’Karron Skin Boutique
Latia Warren
Skin Boutique committed to servicing all, being impactful and transformative through the beauty services offered, while educating clients on how to care for their skin.
Mad Lizzie’s Flower Farm
Katy Ripp
Farm that grows and arranges unique, uncommon and heirloom flowers and succulents for special occasions and everyday use.
Madison Physical Therapy & Consulting
Tiffany Virag
Complete physical therapy services, sports performance, sports recovery sessions with a medically oriented gym space.
myAGame
Jonathan Wiggins
Software application that is a customized, interactive playbook that offers coaches the ability to organize, teach and validate their game plan.
The People Company
Deborah Biddle
Speaker, organizational consultant, one-on-one leadership coaching, diversity, equity and inclusion workshops.
Perfect Imperfections
Jasmine Banks
Natural body care products – started in response to her mother’s death from cancer and desire to find herself
Prof2Prof
Kristen Slack
Platform that elevates the broad array of academic resources created by higher education professionals around the globe.
Progress Center for Black Women
Sabrina Madison
An innovative center that serves as a hub of community, connections, valued experiences and opportunities for Black women to transform their lives and families.
Restoration Soap & Body Care
Ruth Collins
Natural skin care, featuring cruelty, chemical- and allergen-free bath, body and oil products.
Soaring Independent Cooperative
Georgia Allen & Josezette Bridges
Providing committed competent and compassionate supportive home care services.
Urban Triage
Brandi Grayson
Nonprofit founded and grounded in transformational education and learning that utilizes a framework to provide support for people as they embark on a journey of self-discovery. Their methodology expands self-awareness of the basic structures in which we know, think, and act. From knowing, and awareness comes fundamental shifts that are the direct cause for a new kind of freedom and personal POWER. Leaving people permanently changed.