STARTING AN LLC IN WISCONSIN

Region: Midwest Region

Capital City: Madison

State Governor: Tony Evers

Principal Cities: Milwaukee, Green Bay, Kenosha,          Eau Claire, La Crosse

Starting a Business in Wisconsin

Francisco Carrillo, Global Trade and Investment Director:


"Thanks to our central North American location, stable climate and smart fiscal policies, Wisconsin offers investors from all over the globe a sound choice when looking to start up, relocate or grow a business. We’ve created robust ecosystems and infrastructure that supports industries like advanced manufacturing; biohealth; energy, power and controls; food and beverage; water technology; and forest products. WEDC is here to advance your foreign expansion strategies through industry guidance, help you navigate governmental processes, and connect you with the knowledge, tools and relationships you need to minimize risk and maximize return on your investment. Connect with us and we’ll connect you to your greatest potential."

Why Invest in Wisconsin ?

Wisconsin is making a positive difference in the world through global business development. The state’s strategic location, deep support of industry, world-class workforce and investment in research and development have enabled local businesses to make a significant impact internationally.

Starting an LLC in Wisconsin

The state is also full of opportunities for global companies looking to expand their operations. While widely known as an agricultural pioneer and leading producer of dairy products, Wisconsin is succeeding in key industries like advanced manufacturing; water technology; biohealth; aerospace; food and beverage; and energy, power and control.

Starting a Business in Wisconsin: Leading the way to a better world

While Wisconsin’s proximity to fresh water and abundant natural resources fueled the state’s historic industry development, it’s our relentless hard work, passion and original thinking that helped launch globally recognized standards of excellence across a wide range of commercial endeavors. Business success has never been the destination—it’s simply the natural result of the optimism and industriousness of our people.

With a business climate that encourages and rewards production and innovation and a skilled workforce that continues to meet and exceed industry demands, we’ve become leaders in key industries. Wisconsin’s strong agricultural tradition has evolved and expanded to produce unmatched capabilities across the food and beverage sector. We’re drawing attention for manufacturing strengths in growing markets such as advanced machinery and material sciences. Biohealth discoveries born in our state’s academic institutions including the University of Wisconsin-Madison continue to improve health and enhance quality of life throughout the world, and we’ve even invested in centers of excellence in water research and energy technology to answer the challenges of sustainable resource management across the globe.

Whatever we do, we do with intent and resolve. That’s what it means to create In Wisconsin®.

State Demographics - Wisconsin’s Economy

5.9 % million
Population (2023)
1 % of 9
States with fully funded pension plans
93 % %
High School diploma
$ 414 billion
GSP (2023)
AA 1
Moody's Rating
64 %
College and university campuses
$ 28 billion
Exports (2023)
8 %
Commercial Ports
490000 %
Post-secondary and adult learners
3 %
International airports

within easy driving distance

33 % %
Bachelor's degree or higher
5000 %
Engineering degrees awarded each year
0.4 % %
Manufacturing and ag tax rate
2 % nd
highest Manufacturing

employment concentration in the U.S.

22 %
Minutes average travel time to work

Key Industries for starting an LLC in Wisconsin

Where Aerospace Manufacturing Takes Place

Over 500,000 aviation enthusiasts from 60 countries join together every year for the EAA AirVenture event here in Wisconsin. It’s a location that makes sense—Wisconsin is a rapidly developing leader in the aviation and aerospace sector thanks to access to the infrastructure and talent necessary to reach the highest levels of production and operational excellence.

Wisconsin’s leading aerospace production capabilities rose from our foundation in manufacturing and industry research. The state’s focus on nanotechnology, engineering, power and control systems and composite materials has allowed us to become a place where new and growing companies can develop ideas and use our ready-made supply chain to bring them to the world. For companies tackling the challenges of aviation or for companies looking to access the research and development in our aerospace sector, Wisconsin has solutions. For those who want a career in changing the way the world takes off, Wisconsin has opportunities.

More about Aerospace Manufacturing

Breakthroughs in biohealth converge in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is addressing global health and sustainability challenges and propelling the world toward better solutions through proven expertise across the full biohealth spectrum, including medical devices and diagnostics, biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals, digital health and health research.

In Wisconsin, biohealth researchers, professionals and entrepreneurs work side by side to address the world’s evolving health challenges. Wisconsin boasts some of the nation’s top research institutes, with the University of Wisconsin-Madison investing more than $1 billion annually in research and development. Wisconsin has a highly educated workforce and a low cost of living—the best of both worlds, as is evidenced by our high concentration of companies and employment in biohealth fields. Due to Wisconsin’s strength in multiple subsectors of biohealth, the state has become an attractive destination for foreign direct investment. Many biohealth startups in Wisconsin have grown into thriving companies whose technology draws international interest.

Powering The World

Wisconsin helps power the country and the world with our high concentration of energy, power and controls companies. With renewable energy on the rise, new opportunities to be involved in this field are rapidly emerging.

As a global center for energy, power and controls, we’re performing cutting-edge research and development through world-class academic institutions and companies that are committed to addressing the world’s energy challenges. Through the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Mid-West Energy Research Consortium and more, Wisconsin is investing in research and creating a competitive advantage as a world leader in energy conservation to generation and transmission. And with our highly educated population—29% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and Wisconsin institutions award nearly 5,000 engineering degrees annually—we have the talent you need for your next energy, power and controls innovation.

Feeding The Future

The science and engineering behind Wisconsin’s food and beverage production—from farm to factory to fork—comes from the expertise developed over generations of agriculture and food science leadership.

Wisconsin has earned global recognition for technological advancements that have improved growing practices, increased distribution efficiency, and raised safety and nutritional standards worldwide—all of which is driven by the joy we associate with good, healthy food. Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland, producing more than 3 billion pounds of cheese and 30 billion pounds of milk each year. But that’s not all we’re known for. Wisconsin is also the #1 U.S. producer of ginseng, mink pelts and cranberries, and is a leader in sustainable and organic practices. And with above-average specialization of people and companies in food and beverage processing, Wisconsin has the workforce to support your company’s growth.

More about Food & Beverages

Leading the way in water solutions

As a state with over 15,000 freshwater lakes, we know water. Our access to ample fresh water has put us at the forefront of commercial activity in agriculture, power generation and more while sparking the innovation that improves lives across the globe.

Today we’re home to a broad range of water-focused academic programs, including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, the nation’s only graduate-level institution dedicated solely to freshwater. Milwaukee is also home to the Global Water Center and designated as one of two United Nations Global Compact Innovating Cities in the nation, making it “The Capital of Water” according to Forbes.

Thirty major public and private educational institutions throughout Wisconsin offer more than 50 different water-focused degree programs. Where better to launch or advance a career aimed at addressing the world’s water challenges?

More about Food & Beverages

Smart Paper Solutions

Developing in parallel with our agriculture industry, Wisconsin’s lumber and paper industry has shifted its focus from logging and railroads to conservation and sustainable practices.

Today, Wisconsin forest products companies are leading the way in environmental stewardship through reforestation, research and other practices to protect and maintain the health of the state’s 17.1 million acres of forest—for the sake of both the economy and the environment.

Greatness Is Made In Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s leadership in manufacturing, from the industrial age to now, stems from our drive to craft products that make life better and the feeling of accomplishment it brings when we succeed.

Technological advancements made by Wisconsin manufacturers in electrical equipment, metal and more have continued to lead industry trends in both productivity and sustainability while improving global and national economies. In fact, 86% of the state’s exports are manufactured goods, and these exports support 95,000 jobs—demonstrating a healthy worldwide demand for the products we’re making right in our backyard.

What we can do to help you start a Business in Wisconsin

Invest in Wisconsin - About Our Services


The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s European office, located in Berlin, is the prime contact for European companies seeking advice and information in every stage of the expansion process.

WEDC’s European office offers free services including:

  • Provision of information on economic data, industry trends, business climate, infrastructure, costs and other topics of interest for the potential investor
  • Overview of regional industry strengths and guidance on choosing a location
  • Connections to our team in Wisconsin to build bridges that benefit your project.
  • Together with our team in the U.S., we can support you if you are planning a trip to Wisconsin. We are able to create a program for you that will highlight opportunities and connect you with existing investors, regional economic development organizations, utility companies and cluster organizations.
  • In later stages of your expansion, we can provide you with information on greenfield sites, available buildings, warehousing and offices that match your specific needs.
  • Helpful Links for starting an LLC in Wisconsin

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: http://InWisconsin.com
    Regional economic development organizations: https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/regional-economic-development-partners/
    Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce: https://www.wmc.org/
    The Water Council: https://thewatercouncil.com
    Food and Beverage Wisconsin: https://www.fabwisconsin.com/
    BioForward: https://www.bioforward.org/

    Tax Information

    Wisconsin Department of Revenue: http://revenue.wi.gov

    Visa and Immigration Information

    U.S. State Department: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html

    Success Stories of companies which started a Business in Wisconsin

    Beckhoff
    Haribo
    The Water Council

    Contact Information for starting a Business in Wisconsin

    Rome Rauter 
    Director, International Market Development,  
    State of  Wisconsin
    RomeRauter_WI_10-2024x2
    Stefan Peikert
    Director European Office

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
    201 W. Washington Avenue – 6th Floor
    Madison, WI 53703 – USA

    Wisconsin Economic
    Development Corporation
    Stralauer Platz 33-34 (Torhaus)
    10243 Berlin – Germany

    Nils Künkler
    Consultant FDI European Office

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
    201 W. Washington Avenue – 6th Floor
    Madison, WI 53703 – USA

    Wisconsin Economic
    Development Corporation
    Stralauer Platz 33-34 (Torhaus)
    10243 Berlin – Germany

    News about Wisconsin