When considering whether or not to start a small business, there are several factors to keep in mind while determining where you would start your business. Fit Small Business compiled a 2018 ranking of all 50 states to determine the best states to start a small business, using the following categories:
Taking into account these factors, the survey ranked Wisconsin 15th out of the 50 states, with each of the categories above ranked accordingly:
Madison, Wisconsin, is considered by many to to be in the top 5 places in the US to start a business. Similar to a young Austin, TX, Madison has: talent (college town with the University of Wisconsin being a top 10 Research Institution), access to capital and connectivity (connectors include StartingBlock, gener8tor, and University Research Park), and livability (Madison is focusing on being the fittest city in America and has been in the top 5 cities for a few years). While Madison may be sitting in the front of the class and very popular with millenials, the Badger State overall has a very high percentage of small businesses and one of the highest levels of business survivorship in the nation. Wisconsin is the birthplace of many greats - Frank Lloyd Wright, the Green Bay Packers, Roz Doyle, Georgia O'Keefe, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Orson Welles, to name a few - and it could be the birthplace of your new business.
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
2135 Rimrock Road
Madison, WI 53708
P 414-227-4907
Wisconsin Secretary of State
P.O. Box 7848
Madison, WI 53707-7848
P 608-266-8888
Small Business Advocacy
Wisconsin District Office
310 West Wisconsin Ave. Suite 580W
Milwaukee, WI 53203
P 414-297-3941