In order for companies and communities to thrive these days, they must innovate. A program in Milwaukee nurtures talent among college students with hopes of keeping them here. It’s called The Commons.

On a recent Tuesday night, small groups of students are scattered throughout Ward4, the old Pritzloff warehouse just across the river from the Third Ward.

As you move close to one group, you can hear them talking about developing a product to help people with anxiety.

Ward4 provides the setting for innovative collaboration.

This is how The Commons works. The program accepts local college students studying business, engineering, marketing and design. It puts them into groups – with mentors and gives each a task – either to take on a corporate challenge or develop a start-up company.

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