Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation Launches Product Development Loan
Sheboygan, WI – The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC), through its Accelerate Sheboygan County initiative, is proud to introduce the Product Development Loan (PDL) program. This new initiative is designed to provide essential financial support to local startups and emerging businesses during key phases of product development, helping them bring their ideas to market. The PDL program demonstrates SCEDC's dedication to fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and generating jobs and wealth in Sheboygan County.
The PDL aims to assist businesses in developing scalable products and services byofferingfunding at early stages of dev
elopment.
Adam Kroener, President & Co-Founder of Carbliss, shared his experience: “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.”
Carbliss is a former client of SCEDC recently was ranked No. 7 in the 2024 Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies. The loan program enables local businesses to create Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) 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.
Justin Vannieuwenhoven, Chair of the SCEDC’s Innovation Council, emphasized the program's impact: “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.”
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 www.accelsc.com and completing the Product Challenge submission form. 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.
For more details on the Product Development Loan program, contact SCEDC Executive Director Brian Doudna at 920-946-9378.
About Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC)
The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation, a public-private partnership, identifies and facilitates innovative efforts to fuel growth for businesses, communities, and entrepreneurs while fostering vibrant neighborhoods for citizens of Sheboygan County
