Entrepreneur

If you are ready to take your "Good  idea" and develop it into a business opportunity, let the Economic  Development Professionals at the City of Fitchburg assist you with:

  • Business Plan Development
  • Financing Options for Your Business
  • Locating the Ideal Space or Site for Your Business

In addition to City staff, the Kauffman Foundation is an excellent resource to assist entrepreneurs' in their ideas to fruition.

Use the time saving links provided below as you launch your search in starting your own business.

Locate in Wisconsin is a site selection tool supported by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). We can assist in finding the perfect site or building in Fitchburg by visiting Locate in Wisconsin. Property Drive is a site selection tool that focuses in the Dane County and surrounding area. Available sites tab includes properties that are listed for sale or for lease by owner. Fitchburg is home to one of Dane County's first Certified In Wisconsin Sites located in the RDC Tech Lands. The site is considered "shovel ready" and has been Certified by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Fitchburg has dedicated more than 2,000 acres for high-quality technology businesses, a variety of residential housing options, mixed-use retail and commercial areas, parks/open space and multi-modal transportation called the Fitchburg Technology Neighborhood 

Business Plan Writing and Review

The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative (WWBIC), Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and SCORE offer business plan writing, review and offer feedback.  The University of Wisconsin Office of Corporate Relations is another resource for start-up assistance.


Funding your project is an essential element to getting your business  up and running.  There are several organization that offer programs to  help with capital for business start-ups.  The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers both funding programs and other courses on starting and operating a business.  Madison Region Economic Partnership (MapREP) has put together the Capital Connections which lists federal, state and local financing and grant programs. The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative (WWBIC) offers both funding programs and other business operations courses.  The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is another great resource for starting and funding a business. Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest is provides an opportunity to have your business plan reviewed by  mentors, receive  constructive feedback which could result in winning  cash and prizes.  The City of Fitchburg also has a revolving loan fund available.  Kiva Greater Madison is a great resource for 0% interest crowdfunded loans.


One of the best sources to utilize when considering starting a business is someone who has already made it happen. SCORE is a non-profit organization who provides real-world professional  counselors who have experience in accounting, finance, marketing,  retail, manufacturing, management, business plan advisory and strategy  review for starting a business.  The service is confidential and FREE.     The Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce (WMC) supports our advanced manufacturing industry cluster.  BioForward, and Wisconsin Technology Council (WTC), focus on biosciences, advanced manufacturing, information technology and technical services and production, which are all industry clusters that are a focus of the City.  The Wisconsin Farm Bureau is a major advocate for our agricultural industry cluster.

Are you a Veteran?  Bunker Labs is a national not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans as leaders in  innovation.

If you would like to learn more about potential customers and suppliers, optimize adversising and marketing to ideal customers, analyze the characteristics and spending of consumers in the area, validate or reject your assumptions about future business performance or rank your industry performance across multiple measurements, WEDC's Size Up tool is available to gather the data you need.  Access WEDC's Size Up

See the current projects happening in Fitchburg!