The FaBcap Accelerator and accompanying Scaler Series of workshops, developed by FaB Wisconsin, is now hosted by The Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship at UW System-Food Finance Institute (FFI) – a collaborative partner on the program since its inception.

Learn more about the these programs designed to build the capacity and capitalization of Wisconsin’s growing food and beverage companies, positioning them for sustainable success.

With FaBcap 5, FFI will deliver the FaBcap Accelerator and Scaler Series of workshops in conjunction with FaB and with continued WEDC support while leveraging resources through the University of Wisconsin System’s Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, FFI’s home.

As a FaBcap Presenting Sponsor, FaB will continue to share our communication channels and member mentorship and resources. Brad Rostowfske, FaB’s VP of Industry Expertise, who has developed and led the program for FaB since 2015, will split his time between the Food Finance Institute and FaB, where he will continue to connect FaB members to industry expertise.

“We started collaborating with Tera Johnson, Founder & Director of the Food Finance Institute back in 2013. FaB was interested in an industry accelerator. Using FFI’s Food Finance Accelerator as a template, and with a grant from WEDC, together we launched FaBcap 1 in 2015,” said Shelley Jurewicz, Chief FaBricator of FaB Wisconsin. “To have the FaBcap program operate within the academic prowess of the Food Finance Institute, and garner the benefits that only come from academic support systems will provide a new level to operate the program, while our partnership with FFI maintains important connections to businesses of the industry. It’s a FaBulous example of fruitful collaboration and partnership.”

PROGRAM SUCCESS

Since FaB launched the accelerator in 2015, 40 emerging young Wisconsin-based food, beverage, ingredient, packaging, or industry-related equipment manufacturers or technology companies – with demonstrated sales and ambitions to grow their business – have graduated from the accelerator, with classes of 10 Capper companies each year.

As of June 25, 2020, FaB, in collaboration with FFI and SBDC, and with funding support by WEDC and FaB members, have taken 40 companies (4 classes of 10) through the nine-month program. The 40 Cappers –  Wisconsin-based companies – have attracted $682,176 in grant funding, $7,356,127 in debt funding,  $8,712,112 in equity funding, and have annual sales totaling, $29,684,566

MEET THE CAPPERS