An Orchard Full of Opportunity: Cultivating Connections Under the Apple Trees

On a warm August evening in Cadott, Wisconsin the Chippewa Valley’s entrepreneurial spirit continued to grow roots in one of the region’s most picturesque settings. Under the canopy of Dixon Orchard’s apple trees, the CEDC’s Business Expansion And Retention (BEAR) in the Orchard event drew more than 100 attendees for an evening that blended connecting (networking), mentorship, storytelling, and high-energy “Shark Tank Like” pitching. The result was a clear demonstration of what happens when founders, resource providers, and successful business owners gather with intention: our local entrepreneurial ecosystem grows stronger, more connected, and more capable of supporting the next generation of business growth ideas.

Building the Branch Between Founders and Resources

At the heart of the evening were eight entrepreneur ambassadors representing a cross-section of the support system available to Wisconsin businesses. Participants included representatives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Small Business Development Center, angel investors, capital groups, and business attorneys. These ambassadors spent the evening under the trees connecting directly with more than two dozen founders giving back by listening, supporting, providing feedback, and encouraging them-asking for nothing in return.

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