Idea To First Dollar Startup Incubator
Cohort 2!
An in-person, 8-week startup incubator for Rock County, Wisconsin founders helping you get your first customers and first revenue.
February 3 - March 26, 2026
Held in person at the Janesville Innovation Center
Rock
County Wisconsin
10+
Businesses
8
Weeks
1
Pitch Night
The Business Readiness Program’s Idea to First Dollar Incubator is a cohort-based, 8-week program that takes entrepreneurs from concept to a legally formed business with a clear offer, first customers, and a simple growth plan.
Sessions take place in person, with weekly education at the Janesville Innovation Center, coworking, and accountability built into the program.
The program ends with a live pitch competition judged by local business leaders and community partners with the chance to win cash and in-kind business support.
We focus on small, practical businesses that create income, stability, and opportunity right here in Southern Wisconsin.
A guided path from idea to first customer. Gain the skills, confidence, community, and direction you will need to start and grow a business!
What You Will Build
Phase 1:
Foundations and Validation
Clarify your idea and who you serve
Validate your problem and solution
Choose a business structure and work on legal setup
Start basic financial foundations
Phase 2:
Building and Testing
Build your MVP (minimal viable product or service), your starter offer
Test with real customers and gather feedback
Set pricing, early sales strategy, and brand presence
Set up essential digital tools and systems
Phase 3:
Pitching and Growth
Sharpen your operations and simple growth plan
Build and practice your pitch
Present at a live pitch night with community judges, partners, and supporters
Connect with community, mentors, and partners
Entrepreneurs Need Community
Is This You?
Our small business incubator program is designed for entrepreneurs who can commit to participating in person in Rock County, Wisconsin and are:
First time founders
Side hustlers
Mom and pop businesses
Creatives and makers
Service providers
Trades and home service businesses
BIPOC, women, and veteran founders
If you have....
No clear plan or strategy
Overwhelm from scattered resources
Confusing steps for legally launching a business
Limited access to mentors and real world guidance
Struggles with pricing, branding, and marketing
Fear of starting without support
And you want clarity, traction, and support, this program is for you.
A huge thank you to all our partners and sponsors, they make sure all our programming is free to participants.
Program
Schedule
** All sessions are held in person and include coworking, live instruction, and weekly accountability.
Week 1
Week 2
Idea & Validation
Clarify your business idea, customer, and goal. Set expectations and get organized for the build ahead.
COWORKING TIME | TUESDAY LUNCH EDUCATION | WEEKLY ACCOUNTABILITY
MVP + Pricing
Build and test a simple version of your offer, collect feedback, and set an initial price.
COWORKING TIME | TUESDAY LUNCH EDUCATION | WEEKLY ACCOUNTABILITY
Week 3
Week 4
Business Structure + Legal
Get legally set up and organized so your business can operate cleanly and confidently.
COWORKING TIME | TUESDAY LUNCH EDUCATION | WEEKLY ACCOUNTABILITY
Financial Systems
Separate personal and business finances, set up tracking, and understand basic cash flow.
COWORKING TIME | TUESDAY LUNCH EDUCATION | WEEKLY ACCOUNTABILITY
Week 5
Week 6
Branding + Digital Presence
Define your brand, publish your website, and claim the online spaces that make you visible.
COWORKING TIME | TUESDAY LUNCH EDUCATION | WEEKLY ACCOUNTABILITY
Pitch Development
Turn your work into a clear, confident pitch and practice delivering it.
COWORKING TIME | TUESDAY LUNCH EDUCATION | WEEKLY ACCOUNTABILITY
Week 7
Week 8
Growth, Sales & Metrics
Learn how customers find you, how sales happen, and what to track moving forward.
COWORKING TIME | TUESDAY LUNCH EDUCATION | WEEKLY ACCOUNTABILITY
Pitch Night
Showcase your progress, present your pitch, and step into what comes next.
COWORKING TIME | TUESDAY LUNCH EDUCATION | WEEKLY ACCOUNTABILITY
COWORKING TIME | TUESDAY LUNCH EDUCATION | WEEKLY ACCOUNTABILITY
Week 1: Idea & Validation
Turn an idea into something real by validating the problem, customer, and solution with actual people.
Week 2: MVP + Pricing
Build and test a simple version of your offer, collect feedback, and set an initial price.
Week 3: Business Structure & Legal
Get legally set up and organized so your business can operate cleanly and confidently.
Week 4: Financial Systems
Separate personal and business finances, set up tracking, and understand basic cash flow.
Week 5: Branding & Digital Presence
Define your brand, publish your website, and claim the online spaces that make you visible.
Week 6: Pitch Development
Turn your work into a clear, confident pitch and practice delivering it.
Week 7: Growth, Sales & Metrics
Learn how customers find you, how sales happen, and what to track moving forward.
Week 8: Pitch Night
Showcase your progress, present your pitch, and step into what comes next.
Real Stories, Real Impact
This initiative is for entrepreneurs like:
"Before joining this support system, I was stuck and unsure of my next move. Their guidance turned trial and error into confidence-building steps, and now I’m focused, determined, and ready to succeed!"
Rock County Wisconsin, 1 year ago
"With firsthand experience in chest trauma recovery, I am creating innovative products that offer both comfort and emotional resilience. I am ready to empower patients to heal with confidence and care."
Rock County Wisconsin, 1.5 yeara ago
Early Bird
Tickets
Available!
Our pitch night is a HUGE deal for our businesses, partners, sponsors, board and participants.
It is open to the public, please come support and celebrate with us!
© 2026 Business Readiness Program - All Rights Reserved.