Venture Center at Fox Valley Technical College

09/11/2026

Congratulations to Joey Reader and the A-mazing Events team on an incredible 20 years! 🎉

We’re honored that FVTC’s E-Seed Express™ program played a part in her story and so proud to see all that she has accomplished. Here’s to 20 years of hard work, growth and making an impact in our community! 👏

Twenty years ago, Joey Reader was organizing employee appreciation events from inside a corporate HR office. Today, she is the president and founder of

09/09/2026

☕ Just two weeks to go!

Join us September 24 for Fuel the Founders: Coffee & Connections, a new gathering designed to bring entrepreneurs, small business owners and friends of FVTC’s Venture Center together to connect, learn and grow.

🤖 Featured Topic: AI Without the Overwhelm: Practical AI Solutions for Everyday Business Challenges

Hear from Bryan Stafford of Fava Tea Company as he shares approachable ways to put AI to work in your business—without making it complicated.

You’ll walk away with practical AI tools, new connections and an actionable idea you can put to work right away.

📅 Thursday, September 24
☕ 7:30 a.m. Registration & Networking
🎤 8:00 a.m. Program

Plus, enjoy coffee and conversation courtesy of Copper Rock Coffee Company!

There’s still time to join us. Learn more & register:

08/26/2026

ICYMI 📢: Fuel Your Business Growth with Coffee & Connections

Join us for the inaugural Fuel the Founders: Coffee & Connections, a bi-annual gathering of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and friends of FVTC’s Venture Center.

Thursday, September 24, 2026

7:30 am Registration & Networking
8:00 am Program

AI Without the Overwhelm: Practical AI Solutions for Everyday Business Challenges

Featured Speaker: Bryan Stafford, Fava Tea Company, LLC.

Connect with others who understand the challenges and opportunities of running a business, expand your network, and gain practical insights you can put to work right away.

You'll leave with:
✔ A simple way to determine when AI can help—and when it can't
✔ Practical AI tools for everyday business tasks
✔ One actionable step you can implement immediately

Plus, enjoy networking over coffee, courtesy of Copper Rock Coffee Company. Learn more & register: https://training.fvtc.edu/training/Course/2394/fuel-the-founders-coffee-conversations

08/13/2026

🚀 Have a business idea? Turn it into a plan.

Coming up this month, E-seed Entrepreneurship Training is a hands-on, 10-week program designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners ready to develop, validate and prepare to launch or grow a viable small business.

You'll work through real-world tools and frameworks to:
✔️ Validate your business idea and understand your target market
✔️ Build a sustainable business model and marketing plan
✔️ Develop financial projections and operational plans
✔️ Create strategies to attract and retain customers
✔️ Build and deliver a professional business pitch

By the end, you'll have more than an idea—you'll have a validated business concept, structured business model and clear plan for what comes next.

👉 Learn more & register for the August series: https://training.fvtc.edu/training/Course/1778/e-seed-express-entrepreneurship-training

06/16/2026

☕ Calling all entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup dreamers!

Join us for Fuel the Founders: Coffee & Connections, an energizing morning of networking, conversation, and practical business insights.

Connect with fellow business owners, share experiences, and gain fresh perspectives from people navigating many of the same challenges you face.

🎤 Featured Speaker: Bryan Stafford, Fava Tea Company
Topic: AI Without the Overwhelm: Practical AI Solutions for Everyday Business Challenges

You'll discover:
✅ When AI is the right tool—and when it isn't
✅ Five practical AI tools for everyday business needs
✅ One simple task you can use AI for this week to save time

Enjoy great coffee from Copper Rock Coffee Company while building valuable connections and momentum for what's next. Learn more & register: https://training.fvtc.edu/training/Course/2394/fuel-the-founders-coffee-conversations

04/29/2026

Always awesome to celebrate when grit pays off!

https://fox11online.com/good-day-wi/after-two-years-on-the-road-sonder-coffee-opens-permanent-oshkosh-shop

A mother and daughter recently took their mobile coffee trailer to the next level by opening a permanent storefront in Oshkosh.

04/07/2026

📣 Venture Center is excited to sponsor the 2026 CEC Workshop in Green Lake!

Take a guided tour of downtown Green Lake with Todd Barman from UW Extension and learn how to make your business stand out—inside and out.

You’ll get tips on:
✅ Making your district and business easy to navigate
✅ Keeping customers and employees engaged longer

Want to boost your sales and make your space irresistible? This workshop is perfect for you!

👉 Learn more here: http://go.wisc.edu/cec

Green Lake, Wisconsin:  May 13-15, 2026 2026 Wisconsin Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference A hands-on, immersive conference aimed at strengthening rural Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Photo: Fried Egg Golf Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference: About Small Town...

03/06/2026

Come support our aspiring entrepreneur with her pop-up shop at the Appleton Yacht Club on Saturday, March 21st, from Noon to 3 PM!

- Coffee & Tea
- Homemade pastries
- Handmade flower bouquets
- Local art
- Live music

03/05/2026

We're so excited about this latest endeavor by one of our Small Business Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee members - Copper Rock Coffee Company!

The new coffee shop and deli is set to open inside the Appleton International Airport this summer and will serve food, beverages and cocktails.

03/04/2026

Be sure to read this great article about Venture Center alumnus and former adjunct instructor Brian Davis' latest venture -- Hollow Socks! And yes, they are available locally at Scheel's 😊

Two Appleton entrepreneurs have created an alpaca sock company that has seen exponential growth and earned raving fans, with products that maintain warmth and wick away moisture in hunting, fitness