Start Midwest is an online magazine covering startup news, founder stories, fundraising data, venture capital, and innovation across the American Midwest.

We publish original journalism from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin — covering the founders building companies, the investors backing them, and the ecosystems helping them grow.

What we cover:
• Startup funding news and quarterly state-by-state fundraising reports
• Founder interviews through our Founder Stories and Midwest Moxie series
• Insider perspectives from The Secret VC and The Secret Founder
• Ecosystem analysis, university research, and policy coverage
• Deep tech, AI, biotech, clean energy, manufacturing, fintech, and agtech
• Video content through Future in the Making and the Lay of the Land podcast

Start Midwest also maintains a startup database and investor directory for the region.

Founded in 2025, Start Midwest is led by Philippe Vella with contributions from more than ten writers, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders across the Midwest.

We're called Start. Not Startup. No one goes into business because it's easy. You have to start. Somewhere. Anywhere. Why not here?

These are more than flyover states. Among the very best and brightest to ever do it have been born, raised, and built here. This continues to happen. We're going to keep talking about it.

https://www.start-midwest.com

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