WSC Origin Story
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, a small group of entrepreneurs, venture investors, community builders, and policy advocates began a conversation centered around the question “why isn’t Wisconsin performing better in national rankings for startup activity?”
What emerged was the vision for a new organization driven by early-stage startup founders and focused on how to improve the regulatory environment for founders and their companies. WSC’s Board of Directors set a goal of doubling the number of “first fundings” in Wisconsin by 2026.
Launched in the fall of 2020, WSC soon grew to nearly 100 members, the vast majority of whom are startup founders. As a non-profit, non-partisan, advocacy group, WSC is changing the conversation about startups at the state capitol, engaging legislators and agency leadership with common sense ideas, told through the lived experiences of our members.
Over the next decade, WSC will help to unite stakeholders to push Wisconsin from the back of the pack to become a leader in supporting startups.
WSC Founders
Matt Cordio
CO-FOUNDER, WSC
Matt Cordio is a technology entrepreneur who serves as a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs and executives at both startups and established technology companies on strategy, talent, financing, corporate innovation, strategic partnerships, and growth.
In 2021, Cordio participated in a management-led buyout of CAREDirect, a company focused on medication security and tracking for ambulatory healthcare facilities. His responsibilities as Partner/Owner include owning the growth strategy and day-to-day management of the company.
As co-founder and Growth Partner at technology recruitment firm Skills Pipeline, Cordio cultivates new client relationships, providing talent acquisition advisory services. Cordio also consults companies and economic development organizations on initiatives related to the growth of local startup ecosystems and corporate innovation.
Cordio currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition and in the past has been a member of the founding board of Marquette University's Student-Run Business program and ProHealth Care's Innovation Council. Cordio has been recognized for his work advancing Wisconsin's tech community by Wisconsin Inno, Milwaukee Business Journal, and BizTimes Milwaukee. In his spare time, Cordio enjoys mentoring technology entrepreneurs, volunteering at St. Vincent De Paul's meal program, grilling, enjoying craft beer and Bourbon as well spending time on a lake in Central Wisconsin.
Peter Welch
CO-FOUNDER, WSC
Peter Welch is a strategy and operations expert in the non-profit and issue advocacy space. For the last decade, Welch has built collaborative partnerships with major corporations, non-profits, universities, and the government. Currently the COO of a Public Affairs firm, Welch oversees the management of multiple professional associations, while lobbying on issues related to startups and healthcare. Outside of work, Welch applies his strategic and operational mind to his garden, his golf game, and the perfect Old Fashioned -- with mixed results.