At UW–Madison, Computer Sciences is a launchpad for innovation. From turning cutting-edge research into real-world impact to launching startups that help define the future of technology, our students, faculty, and alumni don’t just imagine what’s possible—they build it. Through immersive courses, hands-on research, dedicated mentorship, and deep ties to campus and regional innovation ecosystems, the department equips computer scientist students to think boldly, collaborate broadly, and transform technical ingenuity into transformative solutions.
Courses
Entrepreneurship seminar, Spring 2026
COMPSCI900: Advanced Seminar in Computer Science
This seminar course explores entrepreneurship through a series of in-person talks and discussions with founders, investors, and industry experts. Each session focuses on a different topic, from startup formation and fundraising to equity, law, and venture growth, offering practical insight into areas that can seem complex to those new to entrepreneurship. While especially valuable for students interested in launching or joining early-stage startups, the course is equally relevant for those pursuing careers in established companies or academia, providing a broader understanding of how innovation and entrepreneurial thinking shape technology-driven fields.
Lecture schedule:
February 19, 4–5pm
MH 7530
Fireside chat with Judy Faulkner
Founder and CEO of Epic Systems
Founded by Faulkner in 1979, Epic is one of the world’s leading healthcare software companies – a global leader in electronic medical records.
February 26, 4–5pm
MH 7530
Talk by Charlie von Simson
UW Law School
Generative AI as a Species Extinction Event: Entrepreneurial Opportunities to Reshape Professional Services: Clinical professor in the Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic at UW Law School, von Simson mentors startups and inventors and previously spent over two decades in intellectual property law practice.
March 12, 4–5pm
MH 7530
Fireside Chat with Katie Brenner
Brennen is co-founder of BluDiagnostics (acquired by Amazon), which developed sensor technology for at-home health measurement before its acquisition by Amazon. She later served as a director at Amazon and now mentors startups and serves on multiple boards. She completed a postdoc at UW–Madison.
April 9, 4–5pm
MH 7530
Talk by Jason Franklin
Franklin is Founding Managing Director of WVV CapitalVenture and is an investor focused on health IT, deep tech, and interdisciplinary innovation. He has a background in computer science, research, entrepreneurship, and venture investment.
April 23, 4–5pm
MH 7530
Fireside Chat with Vikas Gupta
Gupta is founder of Jambool (acquired by Google) and co-founder of Wonder Workshop, which builds educational robotics to teach children coding. He is also former Head of Consumer Payments at Google.
Programs
CS NEST is a free, ten-week venture-creation workshop designed to help entrepreneurially minded students and technologists create high-growth startups. Get product ideas, mentorship and one-on-one coaching to develop a high-growth startup company. CS NEST is a program of a nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor in collaboration with the UW-Madison Computer Sciences department.
More information is available here.
UW-Madison Entrepreneurship Resources
UW-Madison provides resources across campus for people in all stages of entrepreneurship:
- Business School Entrepreneurship: https://business.wisc.edu/entrepreneurship/
- Office of Business Engagement Resources for Entrepreneurs: https://obe.wisc.edu/entrepreneurs/
- Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship: https://business.wisc.edu/centers/weinert/
- Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub: https://entrepreneurship.wisc.edu/
Stay tuned for more on entrepreneurship@CS!