Chilly weather, even warmer holiday traditions 🎄

⏰ Midwest Minute 

As the Midwest shifts into holiday mode, comfort becomes a regional survival strategy. Chicago’s Christkindlmarket remains one of the most crowded holiday markets (as well as one of the most Instagrammable) in the U.S., drawing over 1.6 million visitors each season. Carmel, Indiana’s Christkindlmarket has been voted the best market in the U.S. year after year. Chicago’s Millennium Park Christmas Tree lighting draws tens of thousands of attendees every November, dating back to 1913. Indianapolis lights up the Soldier’s & Sailors Monument turning it into a 284’ “Christmas tree” each year. Wisconsin and Michigan reliably live up to their snowy reputations during the winter holiday season—cities like Marquette, Michigan, average over 200” of snow each winter. And while Midwesterners are known for stoicism in subzero temps (like this weekend’s weather forecast), it’s earned: International Falls, Minnesota, long held the nickname “Icebox of the Nation” for recording some of the coldest temperatures in the contiguous United States. Meanwhile, as the temperatures fall, comfort cooking scales up. Over 12M slow cookers are sold annually in the U.S., and Midwest states disproportionately lead the search trends for casserole recipes during the holidays.

For anyone leaning into cabin season this winter, the region offers more winter hideaways than people realize. Wisconsin’s Northwoods alone has over 3,200 lakes and thousands of rentable cabins, making it one of the most concentrated cabin regions in the country. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is even wilder, nearly 85% forested, with some counties containing more trees than people. Hocking Hills, Ohio, reports winter tourism spikes tied to its cabin rentals and frozen-waterscape hikes, and Minnesota’s state parks log consistent winter camping numbers despite temperatures dipping well below zero. Even the holiday travel patterns reflect this cozy migration: AAA is projecting a new holiday travel record this year with 122.4M Americans expected to travel more than 50 miles from December 20 to January 1. Whether it’s a 62’ Norwegian spruce tree in Detroit or a neighbor who plugs in 12 inflatable snowmen after Thanksgiving dinner, the Midwest commits to holiday cheer with the same determination it brings to shoveling driveways all season long. See you in 2026!

Have any insights into the Midwest ecosystem or a funding announcement to share? Want to share your favorite holiday tradition? Send us an email: [email protected] 

📰 Notable News

Exits

• Columbia, MO-based EquipmentShare announces plans to IPO

• Columbus-based Paradigm Health acquired Flatiron’s Clinical Research Business for an undisclosed amount

• Minneapolis-based Plural acquired by SAI360 for an undisclosed amount

Startup Funding

• Skild AI - SoftBank and Nvidia in talks to invest $1B at a $14B valuation | Pittsburgh

• CompanyCam - Undisclosed round at a $2B valuation | Lincoln

• Paradigm Health - $78M Series B led by ARCH Venture Partners | Columbus

• Reema Health - $19M Series B from LRV Health, Optum Ventures and HC9 | Minneapolis

VC Funds

• Mastercraft Ventures - $11.5M fund | Beloit, WI

Other News

• TechPoint unveils 2026 awards finalists

• Workshop surpasses 100 employees as it nears five-year anniversary

• Illinois Venture Capital Association names Company of the Year

• AI momentum and tech convergence drive healthcare’s expected 2026 rebound

• Cameo wins temporary restraining order against OpenAI in trademark dispute

• Waymo to launch autonomous vehicles in Minneapolis

Have exciting news to share? If you're announcing a funding round, exit or other milestone, send your press release to [email protected] to be featured. While we can’t share everything, we love to feature great stories from across the region.

📆 Mark your Calendar

Need to fill your social calendar? We’ve scoured newsletters, scanned LinkedIn and found some of the latest tech + startup events in the region. Know of any upcoming events and want to share them in our next newsletter? Send us an email: [email protected]