The search for Wisconsin’s coolest homegrown product is back. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce opened nominations Monday for the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest, with products eligible to be nominated through Sept. 11.
Now in its 11th year, the statewide competition lets the public choose among products manufactured in Wisconsin. BMO is joining the contest as its presenting partner for the first time. WMC launched the competition in 2016 and says it has drawn nearly 2 million votes since then.
“For more than a decade, this contest has helped spotlight the innovation and talent that make Wisconsin a manufacturing powerhouse,” WMC President and CEO Kurt R. Bauer said.
The rules are broad enough to include Wisconsin products made by companies large and small. A company does not have to be headquartered in Wisconsin, but the product must be manufactured at a facility in the state and must be made through a manufacturing process. WMC encourages companies to nominate only one product because each company can have only one entry reach the final 16.
Nominations will be followed by a statewide public vote Sept. 21-29. The 16 products receiving enough support to advance will be announced Sept. 30 and placed into “Manufacturing Madness,” a tournament-style bracket featuring head-to-head matchups.
The first bracket round runs Oct. 2-7, followed by another round Oct. 8-13. The final four will be announced Oct. 14, with final-round voting scheduled from Oct. 15 through Oct. 27. Voters may cast one ballot per email address every 24 hours while voting is open.
“BMO is honored to be the presenting partner of the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Contest as it celebrates the innovation, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirt that define Wisconsin Manufacturing,” said BMO executive Andrew Roethe.
The winner will be announced Oct. 27 during WMC’s Business Day at Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in Madison.
Manufacturers and members of the public can nominate a Wisconsin-made product through the contest’s official website.
