Scale Up Milwaukee, an initiative of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, has announced 21 businesses participating in the newest growth-training program called SPARC. Launched in partnership with the African American Chamber of Commerce and WWBIC, and funded by JPMorgan Chase, SPARC focuses on central city Milwaukee businesses with revenue under $1 million. It is anticipated these companies and future generations of entrepreneurs will experience quick and sustainable growth.

The 21 businesses in the inaugural SPARC cohort represent a diverse array of industries and sectors from commercial cleaning and manufacturing to food and retail. A launch party celebrating the inaugural class will take place Monday, Oct. 2^nd from 5 to 7 p.m. at Central Standard Craft Distillery, 613 S. 2^nd Street.

Athena Communications                               

Milwaukee Blacksmith Anointed Cleaners

One Day Real Estate Services

Clean Green LLC                                            PC Lan Services

Compost Crusader LLC                                  PeachyClean Commerical & Construction Cleaning

Confluence Graphics, Inc.                              Philly’s Premium Beverages

Cross Management Services, Inc.                  Prenasis Hair Gallery

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.                                 Rep. Wisconsin Apparel and Gifts

Great Impressions                                          Spearity

House of Fashion                                           The Gouda Girls

M2R Electric Services                                    Executive Commercial Cleaning

McCray Accounting Services

The instructors for this pilot program are Scale Up partners and alumni of the Scalerator program. Special attention was given to faculty able to teach from experience in successful high-growth companies. The four sessions cover topics including sales and marketing, financing and cash flow management, and organizational development. The faculty members are Carl Brown, president of RBK Healthcare Marketing; Edward Bryant, portfolio manager, AVP at Byline Bank; Jessica Ginster, partner and general manager of Fyxation Bicycle Company; Tracy Meeks, vice president, Small Business Banking at Park Bank; and Dr. Eric Waters, assistant professor of Communication Studies in The Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University.

Thank you to our sponsors at JPMorgan Chase and Near West Side Partners for making this possible and congratulations to our inaugural SPARC class!