The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), in conjunction with the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC), announced recently it is awarding up to $200,000 in Ideadvance funding to five startups in Wisconsin.

Forsythe & Storms Technologies of Oak Creek and VetNEX of River Falls will receive up to $25,000 in Stage 1 funding, while High 5 Academics of Oshkosh, Pivot Interactives of River Falls and Northern Star Fire of Eau Claire will receive up to $50,000 in matching stage 2 funding.

“By helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into new businesses, Ideadvance is a high-impact component of Wisconsin’s innovation climate,” WEDC VP of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Aaron Hagar said in a statement. “Through the collaboration and resources of WEDC and the UW System, we’re committed to help these young companies successfully launch and grow in Wisconsin.”

According to a release, Ideadvance provides seed funding and mentoring to UW System staff, faculty, students and alumni to turn their ideas into feasible businesses. All awardees must demonstrate significant progress toward a scalable, profitable business model to receive increments of the seed funds.

Northern Star Fire won the 2017 Governor’s Business Plan Contest.