2nd Annual SCEDC Scale-Up Challenge
Thursday, May 21, 2026 (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM) (CDT)
Description
🚀 Calling all St. Croix small business owners and entrepreneurs! 🚀
Ready to take your business to the next level? The SCEDC Scale-Up Challenge returns for its second year, in partnership with SCEDC, the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center, and the UW-River Falls Small Business Development Center, and a generous grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)!
If you’ve been in operation for at least a year, have a proven product or service, and are ready to scale; this competition is for YOU!
🏆 What’s at stake?
-1st place $5,000 Prize | 2nd place $3,000 | 3rd place $2,000 | $500 for the crowd's favorite to fuel your growth initiatives
-1-year co-working membership at St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center
-1-year Investor Membership to St. Croix Economic Development Corporation
-Mentorship from successful entrepreneurs & industry experts
-Resources to help you scale: legal, marketing, tech tools, and more!
🔍 How to apply: Complete the application, including details about your business, scaling strategy, and financials by April 13. Make your pitch stand out and you could be one of the shortlisted businesses selected to present LIVE in front of expert judges! Access the application form for the Scale-Up Competition here.
📅 Important Dates:
Applications Open: March 9
Deadline to Apply: April 13
Notification to selected applicants to move forward to pitch: May 1
Pitch Presentation & Awards: May 21
This is your chance to gain visibility, secure funding, and accelerate your business growth. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a huge impact in the St. Croix County community!
Data Sharing Disclaimer
Please be advised that the sponsor of this event has requested that the contact information of all registered participants be shared with UW-Stout’s Center for Innovation and Development (CID). This information will be used to enable follow-up services, as appropriate, to help entrepreneurs advance toward market-ready products.
By submitting this registration form, you consent to your contact information being provided to UW-Stout’s CID for the purpose described above. Your information will not be used for any other purpose without your explicit permission.
If you have questions or concerns regarding this data sharing practice, please contact St. Croix EDC before completing your registration.
1091 Sutherland Ave,
River Falls, WI 54022 United States
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