The head of a newly formed technology based nonprofit group says Milwaukee needs to properly harness its resources and take a global perspective. Jay Bayne, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Institute, notes the region has several major universities, major corporations with global operations and smaller companies with adept technological capabilities.
The Institute's founding coincides with a report released this week by a George Mason professor, who ranked Milwaukee-Waukesha fifth among the top metro areas nationwide in growing technology. The report was based primarily on the number of a specific type of patents being registered. Bayne says it's vital to harness the patent technology and Milwaukee's resources into "engines of economic viability."
Bayne admits one challenge the area faces is a lack of strong investment capital. However, Bayne says, "The Milwaukee Institute is working with folks, who are interested in the region, on both coasts."