GRiTedu by Rewired Dynamics is the first place winner of the inaugural Ignite Rural Business Accelerator Program and was awarded $30,000.
The Ignite Rural Business Pitch event was a contest between the Ignite Rural 2025 cohort, a variety of 10 local entrepreneurs looking to scale their skills and businesses through Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s 5-week business accelerator program. It was led by Raina Lyman and Zachary Beasom of Envision Greater Fond du Lac. The program and prizes were funded by grants and investments from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, ADVOCAP, and Envision Greater Fond du Lac.
First-place winner, Kurt Wismer said he found great value in Ignite Rural’s 5-week Business Accelerator program.
“As a teacher, it was humbling to be a student in the IGNITE Accelerator program,” Wismer said. “It was both educational and affirmational that GRiT is on the right path, but to also know that as entrepreneurs, we’re all learning through setbacks, obstacles, and opportunities. The difference is that we all keep showing up and doing the hard work with the vision and purpose that we believe in. It was an honor to learn alongside so many talented entrepreneurs in the cohort.”
GRiTedu is a Relational Intelligence Curriculum developed by Wismer and his team to empower students with the soft skills of resilience, emotional regulation, leadership, and communication through neuroscience-based learning and a scalable train-the-trainer model. Validated by adoption in schools and universities, including North Fond du Lac and UW-Madison, the curriculum offers turnkey lesson plans and digital resources that promote healthier school cultures and real-world readiness.
Kaitlyn Kenealy, chief executive officer of Into the Woods Wellness, took home the second place prize of $20,000 for ‘WOODIE: Wellness That Moves’, a mobile food truck initiative aimed at addressing urgent health concerns in local rural communities. WOODIE addresses rising obesity and chronic illness by meeting growing consumer demand for sustainable, healthy, fast-casual food. The food truck will offer organic, protein-rich meals, smoothies, and snacks, promoting wellness through accessible nutrition.
“This journey has stretched me as a leader and reminded me that healing and entrepreneurship are deeply connected—both require courage, vision, and trust,” Kenealy said. “The funds will help bring Woodie – Into the Woods on Wheels to life, expanding our mission to make wellness mobile and accessible across rural communities. I’m walking away inspired by the collaboration, mentorship, and sense of belonging that Envision Greater Fond du Lac has fostered.”
