Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute

What Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute does

Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute (WAI) is a research and education institute within the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Madison with regional offices in Milwaukee and La Crosse. WAI operates across four interconnected areas: research, education, clinical care, and community engagement, targeting Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Its flagship research asset is the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP), one of the longest-running longitudinal studies of adults at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, contributing to advances in blood-based biomarkers and speech and language markers of early cognitive change. WAI also serves as the convening hub for the Wisconsin Dementia Resource Network (WDRN), the WAI Memory Clinic Network, the AA-FAIM study in African American populations, and the 24-year-running Annual Update in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias continuing education conference.

WAI's offerings include the WRAP longitudinal study, statewide memory clinic network development, the WAI Milwaukee Regional Office (including the Amazing Grace Chorus / Hope Sings and Breaking the Silence initiatives), continuing medical education conferences, monthly WDRN webinars, the New Friends mentorship program, the Student Externship program, and caregiver and patient resources such as Young-Onset Dementia Guides. The institute does not disclose a proprietary technology platform; instead, it functions as a research coordination hub managing longitudinal studies, biomarker cores shared with the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), and community health programs. No commercial software products, APIs, or SDKs are offered.

WAI's revenue model is non-commercial and consists of NIH and federal research grants (including support for WRAP, CLARiTI, and AA-FAIM), donations channeled through the Initiative to End Alzheimer's and UW-Madison's giving portal, and modest continuing education fees from its Annual Update conference. Research participation, community programs, webinars, and educational resources are offered free of charge. With 19 employees and no funding rounds, M&A activity, or venture capital involvement, WAI operates as a state-affiliated academic research institute rather than a commercial enterprise.

Name

Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute

Legal name

Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute

Website

https://wai.wisc.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute is a UW-Madison research and education institute advancing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through the WRAP longitudinal study, statewide Memory Clinic Network, WDRN professional education, and community engagement programs serving patients, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers across Wisconsin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alzheimer's Disease Research and Dementia Care Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care Management & Behavioral Support (HLADALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Post-Diagnosis Transition & Hospital-to-Home Dementia Support (HSABAEAL), Adult Day Memory Care Programs (Dementia Day Care/Day Health) (HLADACAH)

Keywords

• Alzheimer's disease research
• Dementia care education
• Longitudinal research studies
• Memory clinic services
• Caregiver support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Funding: As part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and affiliated with the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), WAI receives NIH-funded research grants including support for the WRAP study, CLARiTI initiative, and various Alzheimer-related research programs.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: WAI accepts charitable donations through the UW-Madison medical giving portal to support research and community programs. The organization is part of the Initiative to End Alzheimer's's fundraising efforts.
3. Continuing Education Fees: WAI provides continuing medical education (CMEs) through its Annual Update in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias conference and other professional education programs for healthcare providers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute advances healthcare quality and access for people impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related disorders through four interconnected program areas: (1) longitudinal research, primarily the WRAP study tracking adults at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease at sites in Madison, La Crosse, and Milwaukee; (2) statewide memory clinic network development supporting physicians and healthcare organizations in early diagnosis; (3) continuing education for healthcare professionals including the Annual Update conference and WDRN webinars; and (4) community engagement programs such as the Amazing Grace Chorus, New Friends mentorship program, and WAI Milwaukee Regional Office.

Product overview

The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute (WAI) operates as a research and education organization, not a traditional software product company. WAI's offerings consist of research programs (primarily the WRAP longitudinal study), clinical care networks (Memory Clinic Network), community engagement programs (WAI Milwaukee, Amazing Grace Chorus), education initiatives (Student Externship, New Friends Program), professional resources (WDRN webinars and best practice guides), and patient/caregiver resources (Young-Onset Dementia Guides). These programs work together to advance Alzheimer's disease research, improve dementia care quality, and provide education and support across Wisconsin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WRAP Study (Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention): A longitudinal study of adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease - one of the longest-running studies of its kind
• Wisconsin Dementia Resource Network (WDRN)
• WAI Milwaukee

Products and services

• Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP) A longitudinal study of adults at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease following participants over many years to understand biological, cognitive, and communication changes before dementia develops. Conducted at study sites in Madison, La Crosse, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• WAI Memory Clinic Network A statewide network that assists physicians and healthcare organizations in promoting early diagnosis, treatment, and caregiver support for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Includes a memory clinic finder to help patients locate clinics throughout Wisconsin.
• Wisconsin Dementia Resource Network (WDRN) A statewide collaboration of partners convened by WAI to discover and share innovative ideas, resources, and information to help support individuals living with dementia and their families. Offers free monthly webinars and best-practice guides for professionals and families.
• Student Externship Program A summer externship available to first-year students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, providing real-world education, mentorship, and job shadowing experiences in dementia care for future healthcare professionals.
• New Friends Program A mentorship program where people living with dementia mentor future generations of healthcare students, bridging the gap between individuals affected by dementia and healthcare students through structured engagement.
• The Amazing Grace Chorus (Hope Sings) A chorus program specifically designed for and comprised of people living with dementia and their care partners. Through regular rehearsal and performance, the chorus fosters joy, well-being, purpose, and community understanding.
• Young-Onset Dementia Guides Practical guides developed for people with young-onset dementia (diagnosed before age 65) and their care partners, including a guide for obtaining cognitive evaluation and a 'Now What?' guide for navigating the diagnosis journey.
• Annual Update in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias An annual continuing education conference for healthcare professionals providing updates on new therapeutics, research, and best practices in clinical care. Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits are available for attendees.
• Dementia Friendly Tools and Resources Free dementia-friendly toolkits developed by the Center for Aging Research and Education (CARE) at UW-Madison using user-centered design approaches, including strategies to communicate with people living with dementia and tools for students and community groups.
• WAI Milwaukee Regional Office Programming Regional Milwaukee Office programming focused on community engagement, outreach, addressing systemic racism in healthcare through webinars, and community-based research participation initiatives including the AA-FAIM study and annual Community Health Fair in southeastern Wisconsin.

Quantifiable outcome

• Blood-based biomarker revolution enabling detection of brain changes years before symptoms appear
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Consortium for Clarity in ADRD Research Through Imaging (CLARiTI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023A nationwide initiative launched in 2023 that brings together over 30 federally-funded Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) in a coordinated effort to study the complex, multi-etiology nature of neurodegenerative diseases causing dementia. CLARiTI employs harmonized brain imaging and blood biomarker protocols enabling cross-center discovery. Dr. Sterling Johnson serves as Lead Principal Investigator of CLARiTI.
• Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAI is closely affiliated with the Wisconsin ADRC, sharing leadership (Dr. Sterling Johnson is Associate Director), biomarker cores, and research infrastructure. WRAP and ADRC share PET study capabilities and coordinate participant recruitment.
• African Americans Fighting Alzheimer's in Midlife (AA-FAIM) StudycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA research study partnered with WRAP to investigate Alzheimer's risk factors specifically in African American populations, supported by CLARiTI-Wisconsin and the PREDICT study. WAI hosts community events celebrating AA-FAIM research participation.
• Center for Aging Research and Education (CARE) at UW-MadisonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARE at UW-Madison has worked with dementia-friendly community groups since 2015, developing free dementia-friendly toolkits through user-centered design. WAI's WDRN program partners with CARE to offer educational webinars.
• Alzheimer's Association Wisconsin ChaptermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alzheimer's Association Wisconsin Chapter is a key partner in the Wisconsin Dementia Resource Network, collaborating on professional education, caregiver resources, and young-onset dementia support initiatives.
• Wisconsin Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide network of ADRCs partnered with WAI through the Wisconsin Dementia Resource Network. Dementia care specialists from ADRCs collaborate on webinars, resource development, and community programs.
• University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAI is an institute within the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Faculty hold appointments in departments including Neurology, Medicine, and Psychology, and the Institute participates in campus programs like the Institute on Aging.
• Initiative to End Alzheimer'smajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWAI is part of the Initiative to End Alzheimer's, a fundraising and awareness initiative that coordinates donations and public support for Alzheimer's research at UW-Madison.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health: Academic-affiliated brain health center combining Alzheimer's research, clinical care, and caregiver support programs in a similar integrated model. Comparable focus on neurodegenerative disease and community programming.
• Indiana University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center: Federally-funded ADRC focused on dementia research, biomarker discovery, and community engagement; member of the CLARiTI consortium. Operates a comparable academic research institute structure.
• Memory and Aging Center at UCSF: University-based Alzheimer's research and clinical care program combining research, patient care, and professional training in a similar integrated model. Strong biomarker and translational research focus.
• Banner Alzheimer's Institute: Leading Alzheimer's research and clinical care institute combining research, clinical care, and education with a similar multi-program model. Comparable focus on early detection, biomarker research, and treatment access.
• Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center: One of the federally-funded ADRCs participating in the CLARiTI consortium alongside WAI. Conducts longitudinal research, biomarker studies, and clinical care with a comparable academic research center model.
• Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (Wisconsin ADRC): Directly affiliated sister organization within UW-Madison, sharing leadership (Dr. Sterling Johnson is Associate Director of both), biomarker cores, PET imaging infrastructure, and research participants with WAI. Operates the most similar model in the same institution.
• Duke-UNC Alzheimer's Disease Research Center: Joint Duke/UNC ADRC focused on Alzheimer's research, biomarker studies, and clinical care with a comparable academic research institute model relying on federal funding.

Broad incumbents

• Alzheimer's Association: National nonprofit with overlapping mission in Alzheimer's research funding, caregiver support, professional education, and advocacy. Partners with WAI through the Wisconsin Dementia Resource Network. Much larger scope and brand reach.
• UsAgainstAlzheimer's: National advocacy and policy organization focused on Alzheimer's research and care access. Thematically aligned with WAI's community engagement, health equity, and care access mission at a national scale.
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): Federal agency that funds much of the ADRC infrastructure WAI participates in. Shares WAI's mission around Alzheimer's research, public education, and care standards but operates as the funder/convener rather than a peer program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wisconsin-alzheimers-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute