The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s annual Focus on the Future Awards program recognizes the very best of small businesses, startups, nonprofits and diverse businesses across southeastern Wisconsin. In the spirit of the MMAC’s former Future 50 awards program, the organization honors the contributions of these businesses and organizations to strengthen the Milwaukee region’s economy.
The winning companies were announced during a luncheon on Sept. 24 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee.
This year’s Focus on the Future Awards were broken down into these categories:
Talent
Recognizes companies or organizations improving retention rates, cultivating a cohesive company culture, upskilling employees or with other unique workforce accomplishments.
Winner:
Beyond Vision
Finalists:
- Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
- MKE Tech Hub
Honorable Mentions:
- American Companies (American Construction Services Inc. & American Architectural Group Inc.)
- Eaton Corp.
- Excel Legacy Group LLC
- Frontdesk, Inc.
- Granular
- R&R Insurance Services, Inc.
- Spectrum Investment Advisors
- SRH
Growth
Recognizes the success of companies or organizations finding new opportunities, entering new markets or developing new products.
Winner:
Wisconsin Center District
Finalists:
- Gross Automation LLC
- PartsBadger LLC
Honorable Mentions:
- Artery Ink
- Brunch
- DataComm Plus
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
- Great Lakes Roofing Corp.
- Hunger Task Force
- MicroSynergies
- Pattyn North America, Inc.
- Smart Spaces
- TopLine Results Corp.
- zizzl
Livability
Recognizes companies or organizations helping to make metro Milwaukee a better place to live, work, play and learn through products and services.
Winner:
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care
Finalists:
- Dohmen Company Foundation
- Milwaukee Continuum of Care
Honorable Mentions:
- Ellenbecker Investment Group
- Eppstein Uhen Architects
- ERTH Dispensary | ERTH CBD
- KristinAdvising - Defining Leaders
- Snip Internet LLC
- The Hounds & Tap
- Walden Production Resources, Inc.
Equity
Recognizes companies or organizations addressing racial disparities, one of the Milwaukee region’s biggest challenges, through the attraction of a diverse workforce and cultivation of an inclusive workplace culture.
Winner:
Good Karma Brands / 101.7 The Truth
Finalists:
- Alverno College
- Podcast Town
Honorable Mentions:
- Apple Spice Box Lunch and Catering Company
- Milwaukee Center for Independence
- College Possible
- Rivera & Associates, Inc.
- VISIT Milwaukee
Innovation
Recognizes companies or organizations for bringing big ideas to market.
Winner:
Captivate Exhibits
Finalists:
Honorable Mentions:
- Caravela
- Like|Minded
- WorkShift, Inc
For each category, three finalists were named and a winner was selected from one of those three. Others received “honorable mention” recognition for each category.
Following are profiles of the winners and finalists for each category.
