The University of Wisconsin-Platteville, in partnership with the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, has selected Jeremiah “Maia” Donohue as the inaugural leader of the new Innovation Driving Entrepreneurship Accelerator Hub, known as the IDEA Hub.
The IDEA Hub was funded in part by a highly competitive grant received by UW-Platteville and SWWRPC last September. The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build to Scale Program’s Venture Challenge grant promises to bring nearly $1.1 million of new investment to the region. The IDEA Hub will support innovators and entrepreneurs translate ideas into action with a goal of creating more high tech jobs and increasing economic vibrancy of Southwest Wisconsin communities.
Donohue joins UW-Platteville after nearly a decade of experience with 3 Day Startup in Austin, Texas. Over the years, he has worked with many of the world's top universities in helping them develop their startup ecosystems, including University of Texas, Old Dominion University, University of Oxford, University of Iowa and more.
"After nearly eight years in the center of Austin's tech startup community, I was looking for the perfect startup ecosystem that was close to where I grew up in Wisconsin,” said Donohue. “Joining the IDEA Hub Accelerator was the perfect opportunity, and I am beyond thrilled to be bringing my expertise as the first ever director. I believe all startup ideas, from Silicon Valley to rural Wisconsin, are born equal. The work we do at the IDEA Hub Accelerator will be ensuring that founders and business leaders have access to incredible resources and support in launching their companies."
Donohue has extensive experience mentoring student entrepreneurs at universities around the world. Having facilitated more than 80 3 Day Startup programs, he specializes in helping student entrepreneurs build prototypes, become mentees, form teams, craft strong investor pitches and launch companies that solve meaningful customer problems. Donohue is also the author of the new book, “The Startup Mentor.”
“It was critical that we found a person who understood our mission and had vision and expertise that would jumpstart our efforts,” said Craig Beytien, executive director of UW-Platteville Corporate Relations. “Maia comes with ‘big picture’ ideas and with a capacity to attend to the crucial details that will get the IDEA Hub on the launching pad and into orbit.”
Donohue brings connections to a global network of entrepreneurs, investors and accelerators throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. He is a mentor at Techstars and ATI Seal, as well as a judge and panelist at multiple conferences and competitions. He earned his master's degree in business and environmental studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013.
“Maia will be a great fit for the region,” said Troy Maggied, executive director of SWWRPC. “He'll bridge the university and our communities well, as he's proven to do in his past. We're excited to get him engaged around Southwest Wisconsin.”
Right out of the gate, the IDEA Hub is driving innovation by sourcing a new logo from local designers and artists of all ages and experience levels. The logo design contest is open to anyone who lives within 100 miles of Platteville and submissions are due by Sunday, April 18. More information and application is available at: https://www.swwrpc.org/idea-hub-logo-design.