Kenosha Innovation Center marks grand opening

The new 64,000-square-foot Kenosha Innovation Center, the anchor project for the 107-acre Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood near downtown Kenosha, celebrated its grand opening Wednesday.

The $23.5 million KIC is meant to serve as a regional hub for startups, entrepreneurs and established companies looking to be part of the growth along the I-94 North-South corridor between Chicago and Milwaukee, according to a press release.

The center’s three-story building is located on a 3.5-acre portion of the KIN and include leasable tenant space as well as event and meeting space for community use. Construction on the project broke ground in February 2024.

Located about a mile west of downtown Kenosha, the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood is the master planned redevelopment of the 107-acre former American Motors Corp. and Chrysler plant site, located east of 30th Avenue between 52nd Street and 60th Street. The plant closed in 2010. Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood Inc. is a non-profit organization led by a board of community, education, business and government partners to lead the project.

Initial tenants at the KIC include:

• Kivi Bio – Bringing cutting-edge biotech solutions and education programs, while anchoring Kenosha as a hub for bioscience.

• M3 Insurance – Innovating in insurance tech, mentoring startups and driving community engagement.

• Gateway Capital Partners and Mastercraft Ventures – Two Wisconsin-based venture capital firms investing directly into startups launched and scaled at the KIC with dedicated dollars to invest in southeast Wisconsin.

• Private Grooming – A “Shark Tank” startup scaling from Kenosha, bringing innovation in consumer products.

• Carthage College – Launched BizStarts Kenosha, a six-week business bootcamp designed to equip local entrepreneurs with the tools and mentorship to grow their ventures.

• UW-Parkside – Parkside Works is the University’s engine for partnership and innovation, collaborating with the community and aligning education with workforce needs.

• State Bank of the Lakes branch – Providing financial education, services and products tailored to founders, small businesses and communities.

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The KIC is working with Microsoft, Michael Best and MSOE as “impact partners” that will provide on-site training, mentorship and other resources in areas such as business planning, AI, legal guidance and more, according to the release.

As the KIC’s founding legal and venture partner, Milwaukee-based Michael Best will offer intellectual property, corporate and venture expertise to tenants through a suite of services including regular office hours, educational workshops and programming and roundtable sessions, according to a news release from the firm. Michael Best will also play a leading role in KICstart services, such as pitch competitions, boot camps, and mentorship programs. The firm will have its brand displayed throughout the center, including the sponsorship wall, shared spaces and digital platforms.

“Our Impact Partners are leaders in their respective industries and truly believe in what we’re building here in Kenosha,” said Kelly Armstrong, president of Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood. “Their presence is more than just a name on the wall — they will serve as on-site, active advisors and mentors to help our KIC partners thrive.”

The City of Kenosha received a $15 million Neighborhood Investment Fund grant from the state to help fund the $23.5 million facility, with additional funding through a New Markets Tax Credit. The city is managing the development for the KIC project and will transfer operations to the nonprofit KIN.

Gov. Tony Evers created the Neighborhood Investment Fund program in August 2021 to help communities deliver innovative public services, including new or improved facilities, in response to the pandemic and the worst economic crisis Wisconsin had experienced in a decade. He announced the $15 million grant for the Kenosha Innovation Center project in March 2022.

The city and Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood Inc. worked with Milwaukee-based Eppstein Uhen Architects and Neenah-based Miron Construction on the Innovation Center project.

“This land is being reimagined and revitalized through the collaborative efforts of government, civic and business leaders,” said Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala. “Our shared vision is to be an innovation leader here in Kenosha and throughout the region. We want to elevate our community by bringing in entrepreneurs, startups and businesses that want to grow and invest in Kenosha for the long-haul. I want to thank all our public and private partners for seeing our vision and making this project a reality.”