Wisconsin Rural Entrepreneurial Venture
Wisconsin Rural Entrepreneurial Venture
The Rural Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Initiative supports the development of rural entrepreneurial ecosystems across the state of Wisconsin.
Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) is a proven entrepreneurial development program designed to advance small town economies through a targeted business approach.
Launched in 2024, the Rural Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Initiative supports the development of rural entrepreneurial ecosystems across the state of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin REV provides coaching, resources and connections throughout the visioning and implementation process as each community explores what economic development means for their communities.
Overview: About the Wisconsin REV Program
Grow Your Own
Communities across the country have shown great success and economic growth by using a “grow your own” approach to entrepreneur development. Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) is an established program designed to advance small-town economies through a focus on businesses, nonprofits, and government. Wisconsin REV will use this same approach to help Wisconsin communities flourish.
Communities See Impact
- Increased prosperity, measured through tax revenue and school enrollment.
- Increased new businesses, better small and new business support systems, and new or improved training opportunities.
- Increased diversity in leadership and community entrepreneurial activity.
- Increased resilience, demonstrated through economic diversity.
Program Deliverables
Each Wisconsin REV community will be provided:
- A trained coach to work one-on-one with the community leadership team for up to 3 years.
- The tools to identify and expand the leadership base to support entrepreneurial activity now and into the future.
- A greater understanding of its new business opportunities.
- A long-term and long-lasting processes that supports the needs of businesses as they grow.
Community Snapshot
The typical Wisconsin REV community is:
- A rural community with a minimum base population of 1,500 residents but no more than 10,000 residents, which may include an incorporated municipality, partnering municipalities, and/or school district boundaries.
- The community is program ready, with local leadership available and willing to spend time with aspiring entrepreneurs.
- The community is committed to growing a more resilient, sustainable, and diversified economy over time.
By the Numbers
The WI REV program has made significant progress in establishing foundational partnerships, training community coaches, launching two cohorts of communities, and making strategic adjustments to maximize engagement and positive outcomes.
12
Communities
in WI REV
99
Stakeholders
Engaged
in REV Work
128
Entrepreneur visits
by Cohort 1 Teams
$157,800
in grants awarded to WI REV communities for REV resources
77
local residents
on WI REV Community
Leadership Teams
UW-Madison Extension
Communities Participating in REV
REV programming is currently taking place in the following areas:
Impact: Featured Examples
Green County
Youth entrepreneurship program launched:
The Youth Business Plan Contest was created and has given students the opportunity to develop and pitch business ideas while learning core entrepreneurial skills. The program has generated strong interest from local schools and community mentors. The REV team is now planning to host a second Youth Business Plan Contest in September 2026.
Merrill
Entrepreneur Hub established:
A Merrill business owner has provided a building with offices rent-free to serve as an entrepreneur hub. When this space opens this fall, it will become a location where entrepreneurs can go for in person startup/expansion/transition assistance and provides a space for key entrepreneurial resource partners to work and meet with local entrepreneurs.
Washburn
Collaboration with city leadership in Spooner and Shell Lake: REV team members are working with municipal leadership to support redevelopment and revitalization efforts in their central business districts. The REV team views this as an important component of creating conditions that encourage and stimulate entrepreneurial growth.
Contact REV
To learn more and get started, contact the Wisconsin REV:
Lisa Taylor, Wisconsin Rural Entrepreneurial Venture Specialist, lisa.taylor@wisc.edu
