From Fortune 500s to Startups: Find Your Next Step Here
Milwaukee is a city where innovation has deep roots. From powerhouse corporations to bold new startups, this is where professionals at every stage can build meaningful careers in tech. Whether you’re a software engineer ready to scale up, a product designer with an entrepreneurial streak, or an executive seeking your next challenge, Milwaukee’s tech ecosystem combines the reach (and support) of global companies with the creativity and grit of a thriving startup scene.
The Powerhouses Driving Milwaukee Forward
The region is home to Fortune 500 leaders such as Northwestern Mutual, Johnson Controls, ManpowerGroup, WEC Energy Group, Rockwell Automation, and Fiserv. These companies don’t just call Milwaukee home – they’re shaping the future of industries from financial services to advanced manufacturing, powering global operations right from Milwaukee’s lakeshore.
Beyond the Fortune 500 list, Fortune 1000 companies like Harley-Davidson, MGIC Investment Corp., and Badger Meter demonstrate the city’s long-standing spirit of innovation. Harley’s legendary motorcycles remain a global symbol of Milwaukee’s craftsmanship, while MGIC continues to lead in fintech and mortgage insurance. Together, these companies offer thousands of homegrown tech roles – from software engineering and data analytics to emerging tech R&D.
We make it easy to explore hundreds of Milwaukee-based jobs, from in-office roles to remote opportunities.
Where Enterprise Meets Entrepreneurial Energy
Milwaukee’s strength lies in its balance – a mix of established companies and fast-scaling startups that fuel each other’s growth. Initiatives like the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, FOR-M, and Gener8tor bridge those worlds, connecting corporate resources with entrepreneurial drive to help new ideas take shape and scale.
It’s not uncommon to see Fortune 500 executives mentoring startup founders, funding new ideas, or engineers moving seamlessly between enterprise innovation teams and early-stage ventures. That cross-pollination gives Milwaukee its edge – fostering creativity and collaboration across every tier of business.
Learn more about FOR-M, your first step to starting a tech startup in MKE.
Plug Into What’s Next
The best way to experience Milwaukee’s tech community is to join it. From AI workshops and Wisconsin Tech Month to coffee-and-coding meetups and virtual coaching sessions, there’s always something happening – and someone new to meet.
Stay in the know with the TechKnow event calendar, your guide to upcoming networking opportunities, professional development sessions, and local meetups that can open new doors. Whether you’re job hunting, hiring, or simply curious about Milwaukee’s tech scene, you’ll find a community that makes you feel at home in MKE.
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The Brookings Institution released a new report that gives Milwaukee’s tech ecosystem a major nod. In the report titled, Mapping the AI Economy: Which Regions Are Ready for the Next Technology Leap? Brookings explores which U.S. metro areas are best positioned to thrive in the age of artificial intelligence. While West Coast giants like San […]