A new local entrepreneurship group called Grasshopper aims to help entrepreneurs jump ahead with their ideas.

The Milwaukee Institute and Medical College of Wisconsin researcher Sherry Zhang co-founded the group, which will host regular meetings at the Technology Innovation Center at Milwaukee County Research Park. The first meeting is Aug. 17.

The group is inclusive of entrepreneurs and innovators at all stages of the process, and the events aim to provide learning, ideas and networking. Kathleen Gallagher, executive director of the Milwaukee Institute, said the aim is to provide a neutral platform for startups, and the MI can point them in the direction of programming and resources.

“Innovation and entrepreneurship can be lonely endeavors and it can be difficult to make the right connections for your project,” said Kathleen Gallagher executive director of the Milwaukee Institute, which co-founded grasshopper. “We’re excited about bringing some of the best people in our network to grasshopper meetings to connect with local trail blazers.” Read the full story here.