Jordan Love’s Packers and Microsoft teaming up? Yeah, that’s not just some random collab—it’s a game-changer. They launched TitletownTech, a venture firm that’s basically Green Bay’s version of Shark Tank, but with way more cheese heads. The goal? To back startups working on cutting-edge tech in everything from manufacturing to sports. With nearly $100 million in the bank and Microsoft’s AI muscle, this isn’t just about football—it’s about turning Green Bay into a hub for innovation.

Now that the NFL Draft is returning to Green Bay this year, TitletownTech is back with yet another innovative idea. Oh no, they aren’t going to turn this year’s NFL draft into the Shark Tank. In fact, TitletownTech announced in February that “With the 2025 NFL Draft coming to our hometown, we’re launching the TitletownTech Startup Draft in partnership with @packers and @Microsoft—a $1M investment competition to back a startup in manufacturing, logistics, energy, digital health, and more.” The firm shared this on their official ‘X’ handle.

Translation? Well, TitletownTech, a venture capital firm backed by the Packers and a $3 trillion company, Microsoft, launched a nationwide pitch competition. In simple terms, the startups can register themselves and win $1 million investment during this year’s draft in Wisconsin.

According to TitletownTech’s Managing Partner Craig Dickman, “The TitletownTech Startup Draft is creating opportunities for transformative ideas to thrive. With the Packers and Microsoft catalyzing this effort, we have a unique stage during the NFL Draft to showcase Wisconsin’s growing innovation ecosystem.” Now, here’s the deal: the startups can apply and submit their idea online.

Picture this like the NFL Scouting Combine and the NFL draft. The best startups will be invited to Green Bay to participate in the startup combine, set to take place on April 3rd and 4th. The participants will be able to refine their pitch, receive market feedback, and engage with TitletownTech’s team, portfolio companies, and corporate investors. The kicker? The organizations include Microsoft, the Packers, Ariens, Kohler, Schneider, and more.

Now’s the big picture—the Startup Draft day, which is scheduled for April 24th. The finalists of the startup combine will get an opportunity to pitch their ideas live on the broadcasted event (streaming on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and YouTube). And if you’re lucky enough to impress the scouts—BINGO! You can win a $1 million investment.

It’s safe to say that the NFL draft just got a bit more exciting. Well, a startup can win $1 million investment in April, no doubt. But what about Matt LaFleur’s Packers?

Matt LaFleur and the Packers seem sorted as of now

A few days ago, the NFL and the NFL Player Association revealed the 2025 salary cap for all the teams. With an increase of $25 million from the 2024 season, the league has set a $279 million salary cap for the 2025 season. Now, if we talk about Matt LaFleur’s Packers, the team’s sitting with a sweet $49 million cap space this year.

It ranks them 13th out of 32 teams and one of the 16 teams with over $40 million cap space. The Green Bay team entered the offseason with 18 players having their expiring contracts. However, right before the start of the new league year, the team already re-signed the linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and kicker Brandon McManus.

McDuffie has been starting for the Packers for the last couple of seasons. Considering the reliability of the 25-year-old LB, Matt LaFleur’s team offered him a two-year $9.5 million deal. As for McManus, the veteran kicker joined the Packers in the last season and recorded 20 out of 21 field goals and all 30 extra points. The guy signed a 3-year $15.3 million deal with the team.

Now that the Packers have re-signed a couple of key players, it’s unlikely the general manager, Brian Gutekunst, will invest more to re-sign other free agents of the team. However, they’re in a strong position to sign the veteran players once the new league year kicks off. Sure, Gutekunst needs to figure out contract extension options for young players like Zach Tom, Devonte Wyatt or Quay Walker.

However, the GM may eye a veteran wide receiver, edge rusher, defensive tackle or cornerback in the free agency. The reason? Well, the Packers are expected to release or trade the cornerback Jaire Alexander. The CB is currently having the third-highest cap number on the team ($25M). That means, if the team trades or releases the CB, it would clear them an additional $6.8 million in salary cap space. However, they’ve to tackle the dead cap money if they decide to part ways with him.

Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst have their eyes set on the free agency, which is just around the corner. The team’s looking to build their roster for the 2025 season. After all, they are surely looking for their first Lombardi.