GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – As the city prepares to host the 2025 NFL Draft, Green Bay is also making history with the first-ever TitletownTech Startup Draft.
Backed by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, the competition will award a $1 million investment to innovative startups showcasing emerging technologies across key industries, including advanced manufacturing, digital health, sports technology, and more.
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The TitletownTech Startup Draft is designed to spotlight entrepreneurial talent and highlight Wisconsin’s growing role as a hub for technology and business innovation.
It coincides with the NFL Draft, bringing together the worlds of sports and startups in an unprecedented way.
“While future football stars from around the country will look to Green Bay to hear Commissioner Goodell call their name, another future set of stars, startup founders, will also have the opportunity to hear their name called from right where we stand in the shadow of Lambeau Field here at TitletownTech,” said Craig Dickman, managing partner at TitletownTech.
The event includes a Startup Combine on April 3 and 4, where finalists will refine their pitches, receive market feedback, and connect with industry leaders and investors, including representatives from Microsoft, the Packers, Ariens, Kohler, and Schneider.
The Startup Combine aims to provide mentorship, visibility, and strategic relationship-building opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.
The competition culminates with Startup Draft Day on April 24, just before the first round of the NFL Draft.
The event will be live-streamed across multiple platforms, including LinkedIn, X, and YouTube, allowing viewers to watch startups pitch their ideas and compete for the $1 million investment.
Mark Murphy, President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, emphasized the uniqueness of the event, saying, “Since they’ve been taking [the NFL Draft] on the road, each city wants to kind of have their stamp.”
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The TitletownTech Startup Draft not only showcases emerging innovation but also reflects Green Bay’s commitment to growth and opportunity beyond the football field.
By merging the excitement of the NFL Draft with the promise of groundbreaking technology, the event aims to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and solidify Wisconsin’s place on the national innovation stage.
