The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation, through its Accelerate Sheboygan County initiative, introduced the Product Development Loan program.
The new loan program aims to assist businesses in developing scalable products and services by offering funding at early stages of development. The program is funded through successful grants from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Rural Development division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Adam Kroener, president and cofounder of Carbliss, said, “When we launched Carbliss, the risks were considerable, especially during product development and our first launch. The Product Development Loan program would have been invaluable, offering critical financial backing to reduce personal risks and increase our chances of success in the competitive canned cocktail industry.”
The loan program enables local businesses to create “minimum viable products” and secure the necessary capital to move forward in the marketplace.
The PDL offersfunding in three key areas of product development:
- Product/Process Development: Up to $10,000 for research and development, proof of concept, and prototype creation.
- Commercial Launch: Up to $25,000 to help with market entry and initial sales efforts.
- Growth/Expansion: Up to $25,000 to assist with scaling production and ensuring longterm profitability.
To qualify for the PDL, businesses must be based in Sheboygan County and demonstrate economic viability with potential to create local jobs and scale the product beyond the local market. Early-stage businesses are eligible for Product/Process Development funding, and the program also supports later stages, including commercial launch and growth/expansion.
“We’re committed to supporting innovation and nurturing startups. The Product Development Loan program is a great example of how we can help businesses overcome early challenges and set themselves up for long-term success,” said Justin Vannieuwenhoven, chair of the SCEDC’s Innovation Council.
Throughout 2025, the Innovation Council will host events to engage more residents in the startup ecosystem. Entrepreneurs with product ideas can begin their development process by visiting accelsc.com and completing the Product Challenge submission form.
For more details on the Product Development Loan program, contact SCEDC Executive Director Brian Doudna at 920-946-9378.
