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Realigning priorities to make Wisconsin’s ecosystem more supportive for entrepreneurs
25 Feb 2025
News
Since joining WEDC in June 2024, Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Shayna Hetzel has been working to evaluate the gaps where Wisconsin could be doing a better job of supporting entrepreneurs and encouraging their companies’ success. In this Q&A, Hetzel shares what she’s learned and how WEDC and its partners will be shifting their approach in the months and years to come.
Q: What trends do you notice when you examine Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial landscape?
A: Let’s be honest—Wisconsin isn’t seeing as many new businesses start as we’d like, and that’s been the case for quite a while. Over the past two decades, the number of new businesses launched here each year has gradually declined. While we’ve had some bright spots along the way, the overall trend suggests there’s work to be done.
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