Microsoft, the Packers, and the Venture Firm Betting on Midwest Innovation - Jill Enos, Managing Partner of TitletownTech

What happens when a legendary NFL team partners with a tech giant to fuel regional innovation? In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Jill Enos, Managing Partner at TitletownTech — the one-of-a-kind venture firm backed by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft. Jill unpacks how TitletownTech is redefining early-stage investing by embedding startups directly into industry, education, and community. From AI labs and autonomous robotics to sustainable agtech and nuclear fusion, Jill reveals how the Midwest is quietly leading a new era of tech-driven economic development. Listen to learn:How TitletownTech blends NFL roots with global tech leadership to drive innovationWhy Microsoft chose Wisconsin for its new $3.3B data center and AI Co-Innovation LabWhat makes the Midwest the perfect launchpad for startups solving real-world problemsHow venture-backed founders are tackling challenges in energy, logistics, and healthcareWhy exposure to problems — not solutions — is the secret to educating tomorrow’s innovators 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:Public-private partnerships can fuel real innovation TitletownTech was founded through a unique partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, later joined by 25+ corporate investors like Schneider, Kohler, and AT&T. This model provides startups with not only capital but direct access to strategic partners, industry leaders, and market feedback that accelerates growth.The Midwest is a powerful engine for emerging technologies TitletownTech has invested in over 30 companies, including Realta Fusion (nuclear energy), Fork Farms (agtech), GenLogs (freight intelligence), and Cobionics (healthcare robotics). Microsoft’s $3.3 billion data center in Mount Pleasant and the launch of the AI Co-Innovation Lab in partnership with UW-Milwaukee are cementing Wisconsin’s place as a tech and AI hub.Solving the right problem matters more than having the right answer Jill Enos emphasizes that successful founders are “obsessed with the problem” rather than fixated on one solution — a mindset educators should instill in students. Startups like Springbok Analytics, which uses AI to create digital twins of MRIs, thrive by iterating solutions through real-time market feedback and strategic industry partnerships. Resources in this Episode: Learn more about TitletownTech: https://www.titletowntech.com/ Partnerships mentioned in this episode:AI Co-Innovation Lab (UWM + Microsoft + TitletownTech)Microsoft Data Center (listen to our conversation with Microsoft VP Mary Snapp) Dive deeper into some of TitletownTech"s portfolio companies that were featured in this episode:Fork Farms - Indoor hydroponicsCobionix - Heathcare robotics & autonomous ultrasoundsGenLogs - Freight intelligenceRealta Fus We want to hear from you! Send us a text message. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn