About WiscAI
An AI consulting firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. We build AI products and help leadership teams do the same.
We run on what we sell
WiscAI is an AI consulting firm with a different DNA. We use the same tools and methods we deploy for clients to build our own AI products. When we tell you something works, it's because we're running it ourselves.
AI collapsed the cost of building software. What used to take a team of 10 and $500K now takes a founder with AI tools and weeks. We took that seriously - and built a company around it.
The result: an active product portfolio - SpokenPlan, RecoverEdge, RecruitEdge, AI Doc Scanner, HeldTo, and LilSense (featured by Apple) - alongside a growing slate of enterprise engagements where we build custom AI for leadership teams.
Two pillars, one company. B2B consulting generates revenue and reveals real problems. Our own AI products let us test ideas at market speed. Both benefit from the same technology, the same execution model, and the same senior team.
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, serving clients across Wisconsin, in Milwaukee, and nationwide. We work with the Wisconsin Technology Council on the state's AI-readiness effort, and we mentor in UW-Madison's CS Marketplace program. Midwest rates, not coastal consulting rates.
WiscAI, Inc. was founded in 2024. Our home base is 821 East Washington Avenue in downtown Madison, and our implementation services are also available through AWS Marketplace.
An AAIG forum in Madison. WiscAI founded and runs Wisconsin's longest-running AI practitioner community.
How We Work
Builders First
We're practitioners who've shipped products. When we say something can be built, it's because we've built things like it before.
Honest & Direct
If we can't help you, we'll tell you. If your idea won't work, we'll explain why. We'd rather have a real conversation than sell you something you don't need.
Speed Matters
AI moves fast. Waiting 18 months for an implementation means you're already behind. We prototype in weeks, not quarters, so you can learn and iterate quickly.
Builders, not slide-makers
Michael Zhang
Started the AI Agent Innovation Group in 2024, Wisconsin's longest-running AI practitioner group. Co-host of the AI Leadership Breakfast Forum. Former VP of eCommerce and Digital Marketing, and Head of Innovation, at a billion-dollar fashion and consumer brand, where he incubated AI image search, voice, and language products. Founded WiscAI to build AI products and lead enterprise engagements across finance, insurance, manufacturing, athletics, and veterinary. Mentors student builders in UW-Madison's CS Marketplace program. Writes field notes from live client work.
Subject matter experts, by industry and function.
Matt Messinger
Founding VP at Alkami Technology (IPO'd, $3B+ market cap), and 15 years building ed-tech at WCEPS. Runs his own practice, Shipworx.
Nhi Le
Principal at Alpha Intelligence Capital. Evaluates AI investments globally, separating real innovation from hype. Brings investor perspective to business strategy.
Steve Cretney
EVP at Colony Brands, where he led AI policy development for the $1B+ retailer. Deep expertise in technology strategy and organizational transformation at scale.
Ben Udell
SVP Product Marketing at Marquis. 25+ years shipping products in financial services and applied AI. Sought-after speaker on applying AI in real business settings.
Dru Dominici
Retail veteran with 18 years of leadership in apparel merchandising at Abercrombie & Fitch and Lands' End, most recently leading wholesale, franchise, and marketplace expansion for the Americas.
Eric Townley
Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. Over a decade in Silicon Valley including Apple at the intersection of marketing and technology; now helping to elevate the digital acumen of small businesses in the Madison area.
Our own AI products
Built with the same methods we use for clients. Running our own products is how we know what works before we tell you it does.
A personal recovery plan for every athlete, every day, from a 30-second check-in. Coaches see the whole roster's readiness.
Intelligent baby tracking. Simple, mobile-first tracking for new parents.
Voice-first planning. Speak the plan, get structured next steps and follow-ups back.
Scan receipts, business cards, and forms and get structured data back.
Two more are in use with early customers and described on their capability pages: RecruitEdge, for athletic recruiting operations, and HeldTo, for meeting follow-through. Press and media resources are in the newsroom. Michael's notes from live client work are at Field Notes.
We're growing.
If you want to build with AI every day, we want to hear from you.
See open rolesCommon questions
What is WiscAI?
WiscAI, Inc. is an AI consulting firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. WiscAI builds AI products and helps leadership teams find where AI creates real leverage inside their organizations. We deliver custom AI development and team enablement across finance, insurance, manufacturing, athletics, and veterinary.
Who founded WiscAI?
WiscAI was founded by Michael Zhang, who also started the AI Agent Innovation Group (AAIG) - Wisconsin's longest-running AI practitioner community, meeting weekly since 2024 - and co-hosts the AI Leadership Breakfast Forum. Prior to WiscAI, Michael served as VP of eCommerce and Digital Marketing, and Head of Innovation, at a billion-dollar fashion and consumer brand.
Where is WiscAI based?
WiscAI is headquartered at 821 E Washington Ave, 2nd Floor, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, with client engagements delivered throughout Wisconsin, remotely, and across the country.
What makes WiscAI different from other AI consultancies?
Most AI consultancies stop at recommendations. WiscAI is builder-led. The same team that advises on AI strategy also ships production AI products - which means recommendations come from practitioners who build, and builds are scoped by people who understand the business. Fixed-scope engagements, no armies of billed analysts.
Let's Talk
Ready to get started? Reach out directly.