Microsoft’s TechSpark, Green Bay Packers partnership revitalizes Midwest entrepreneurship

Two weeks ago Microsoft announced its new civic program, TechSpark, and now the program promises to bring business back into Wisconsin and North Dakota. TechSpark aims to bring business and jobs to smaller metropolitan communities by creating partnerships with popular local organizations. “We’re excited to introduce our national TechSpark initiative today from Fargo, North Dakota with Governor Doug Burgum,” said company president and CLO, Brad Smith on his Linkedin. “We’ve been working to develop TechSpark since the beginning of the year, and the region around Fargo is one of the six areas where the program will focus. We’ve also announced today that Northeast Wisconsin will be the second of our six TechSpark communities,” added Smith. On Thursday Microsoft announced its partnership with the Green Bay Packers “to help accelerate technology innovation in the Fox River Valley and across Wisconsin” by providing digital tools and expertise. Included in the announcement is the opening of the new TitletownTech initiative, which will include an accelerator, capital fund, and a state-of-the-art digital development lab. “By combining the Packers’ commitment to community engagement with Microsoft’s technology expertise, TitletownTech represents a one-of-a kind partnership that will bring the latest digital innovations and expertise to a state-of-the-art lab,” said Smith. As the name suggests, TitletownTech will be based in Titletown district, a 45-acre development project announced by the Packers back in 2015. The entire initiative comes as a knight in shining armor for the state of Wisconsin, which, according to Kauffman’s Index for startup activity, ranked last on the top 25 largest US states, tailing behind Alabama at 24. Besides North Dakota and Wisconsin, TechSpark turns its focus on other states that are in dire need of economic refreshment, including Washington, Wyoming, and Virginia.