Blackthorne Capital becomes first private tenant at Innovation Center

April 26, 2011

The Innovation Center at Whitewater University Technology Park welcomed its first private business tenant as Blackthorne Capital Management moved in this month.

"Whitewater is made up of unique people, like the chancellor and faculty, who embrace dynamic partnerships, fostering new ideas and research," said Peter Layton, co-founder and principal investor of Blackthorne Capital Management.

Blackthorne Capital Management is an innovative financial management start-up company focused on research and development. The company currently employs 11 UW-Whitewater students who serve as interns. More than a half dozen faculty members have partnered with the company, including professors from math, statistics, graphic arts and public relations

"Not only do faculty and researchers benefit, the greater benefit is to the students who will be actively involved in the partnership," Layton said. Blackthorne, through the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, will reach out and form new partnerships with other research institutions and universities with the intent of creating a collaborative environment promoting excellence in financial research."

During the three-year lease, Blackthorne Capital will occupy one of the Innovation Center's large suites - about 780 square feet of space.

"They're the perfect fit for what we are trying to accomplish here," said UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer. "Businesses and entrepreneurs will find the Innovation Center a nurturing place to help them thrive."

"We're really ecstatic that Blackthorne has moved in," said Kevin Brunner, Whitewater city manager. "We hope the company will grow and prosper during its time here"

Two other tenants have already moved in -- CESA 2, the state's largest Cooperative Educational Service Agency, and the Jefferson Eastern Dane Interactive Network (JEDI), a distance-learning and virtual classroom group.

Brunner said the city is working with other potential tenants for the Innovation Center as the May 5 grand opening ceremony approaches.