Strato VC was founded in 2023 by a group of undergraduates who wanted to learn about venture capital and educate their peers about the dynamic industry. Recognizing the untapped talent of student entrepreneurs in Madison, Wisconsin, and their lack of access to institutional investment resources, the Strato team moved toward acquiring capital of its own.
Launched in the fall of 2025, Strato VC’s investment fund tasked itself with identifying and supporting student-led startups. Along with the capital needed to get a business off the ground, Strato VC connects student founders with its robust network of mentors and offers strategic industry insights for inexperienced entrepreneurs.
As a student run organization, Strato VC members are meant to learn alongside the students they support. The work they do in sourcing and due diligence prepares them with real world experience for a career in VC or any finance-related field.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between students with high-potential ideas and resources that can help them achieve success. Strato VC seeks to grow Wisconsin’s startup ecosystem by empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. The firm is the first in Wisconsin committed to investing in undergraduate founders’ ideas.
