Advancing the future of health care in Wisconsin — the mission of UW Health’s Isthmus Project — will move a little more easily, thanks to a recent $350,000 Capital Catalyst grant awarded by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Launched in 2019 as UW Health’s innovation hub, Isthmus Project invests in promising start-up businesses affiliated with UW and UW Health faculty and staff seeking to develop new ways to advance health care and improve patient outcomes.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous WEDC grant that will significantly enhance our ability to support commercialization of health care ideas generated by our faculty and staff,” says UW Health Chief Innovation Officer and Isthmus Project Executive Director Elizabeth Hagerman. “WEDC and Isthmus Project share similar goals that will be more readily achieved, thanks to this grant.”

Missy Hughes, WEDC Secretary and CEO, said the Capital Catalyst grant demonstrates confidence in Isthmus Project’s record.

“WEDC has watched the continuous evolution of Isthmus Project and the businesses it has supported since 2019,” Hughes said. “Over the past four years, Isthmus Project has engaged more than 100 health care innovators and invested in several health care start-up businesses launched by UW Health faculty physicians. We look forward to the impact these emerging technologies will have on patients, Wisconsin’s workforce, and the community.”