| Welcome to the June 2015 WIN eNewsletter |
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Dear reader:
As summer beckons in Wisconsin, it’s important to thank those who work year-round to build a healthy climate for the state’s tech-based entrepreneurs. That includes the sponsors, speakers, panelists, mentors and participants in the Governor’s Business Plan Contest, the Wisconsin YES! student contest, the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference and other programs produced through the Tech Council. As you’ll learn in this edition of the WIN eNewsletter, the drive to make Wisconsin a warmer environment for startups and scale-ups won’t take the summer off. Join us for upcoming events and programming!
Sincerely,
Tom Still, president
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The 13th annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference was held June 2-3 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. More than 540 people attended the event from across the state and beyond. Thanks to all who participated!
View post-conference materials below:
- Final list of attendees (by last name) (by company)
- Summary of media coverage
- Gallery of event photos
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Reed Hall, Katie Brenner and Tom Still |
A Madison startup company whose device is aimed at helping women struggling with infertility took home the grand prize in the 12th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. Developed by a team at UW-Madison, Fertility Finder is intended as a replacement to current over-the-counter, urine-based test kits that are hard to read or blood tests that are often inaccurate, said Katie Brenner, the co-founder of bluDiagnostics and a post-doctoral biochemist at the UW-Madison.
Brenner presented June 2 during the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, along with 12 other finalists, and the winners were announced June 3. BluDiagnostics won the contest’s Life Sciences category. Click here to learn more about the category winners.
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La Crosse middle school student wins 'Wisconsin YES!' contest
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Elizabeth Hlvacka
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An 8th grader at Aquinas Middle School in La Crosse, is the grand prize winner in Wisconsin YES!, a statewide youth business plan contest for students in middle and high school. Hlavacka got the idea for her Stuff'n with Noth'n product after realizing the number of plastic bags her family used to pack school lunches. This led her to consider alternative ways to wrap lunch items. Her idea is a reusable, eco-friendly container with uniquely designed compartments that eliminate the need for plastic bags. When the product is unfolded, it can act as a placemat allowing the user to eat almost anywhere. Read the full release here.
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Swiss ambassador to U.S. to discuss biotech at June 23 WIN-MSN
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Switzerland’s ambassador to the United States, Martin Dahinden, will address innovation in Swiss biotechnology and opportunities to collaborate with Wisconsin at the Tuesday, June 23 meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network in Madison. Invited to provide a Wisconsin perspective on Ambassador Dahinden’s remarks is Kevin Conroy, CEO and chairman of Exact Sciences.
They will speak about the importance of trade, the vibrant Swiss
economy and important industry ties between Switzerland and Wisconsin.
The luncheon will be held at the Sheraton Hotel
on Madison’s John Nolen Drive. Registration and networking begin at
11:30 a.m., lunch at noon and the presentation at 12:30 p.m. Learn more
and register here.
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June 26 'Investors' Edge to focus on Mt. Horeb Equity Partners
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The latest in the "Investors' Edge" series by the Wisconsin Angel Network, a program of the Wisconsin Technology Council, will be held June 25 to focus on the organization of Mount Horeb Equity Partners. Accredited investors are invited to attend the informational session, which begins 4:30 p.m. at the GrandStay Hotel and Suites, 175 Lillehammer Lane, Mount Horeb. Click here to learn more.
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'Data privacy and security' summit in Waukesha June 29
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Every company today faces risk relating to data privacy and security. Yet most companies are not adequately prepared for a potential breach or loss of data. The Data Privacy & Security Summit is designed to provide practical information to both large and small companies. The registration deadline is June 22, click here to register and see the full agenda.
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Tech Council partners with 1 Million Cups Madison
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The Wisconsin Technology Council is pleased to support 1 Million Cups
Madison, which is a free, weekly program to help startups pitch their
businesses to an audience over coffee. Madison meetings of 1 Million
Cups are held 9:15 Wednesday at the Madison Central Library. Click here to learn more.
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2015 Lake Superior Business & Technology Conference
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Chancellor Meyer |
Keynote speaker, Chancellor Robert Meyer from the University of Wisconsin-Stout will kick off the 2015 Lake Superior Business & Technology Conference August 14 at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. The conference will consist of panels, lunch, networking and presentations by the finalists of the Business Idea Contest. The finalists will be competing for $5,500 in prize money. The first place contest winner will be awarded $2,500, second place $1,500 third place $1,000 and audience’s choice will be awarded $500. Click here to learn more. This event is hosted by the Lake Superior chapter of the Wisconsin Innovation Network.
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| 'WisBusiness: The Show' covers news, commentary |
Please watch these latest editions of "WisBusiness: The Show," the twice-a-month Web show covering state business news and issues.
This episode features an interview with Jim
Berbee, co-founder of Berbee Information Networks Corp. and the 2015 recipient
of the Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” award. Tom Still talks about
Wisconsin's startup and scale-up climate, and Liz Schrum presents Tech Metrics,
a look at key indicators in the Wisconsin economy.
Click here to view the biweekly show, produced by Red Arrow Production for the Tech Council and WisBusiness.com, as well as archives of past shows. The show is sponsored by UW-Milwaukee.
Guests on recent shows:
Mike Splinter, Applied Materials
Brian Manthey, We Energies
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| Inside Wisconsin columns tackle state, tech issues |
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How to harness the power of UW System for economic growth
A core reason why lawmakers have so far softened budget cuts to the University of Wisconsin System is their realization it’s a statewide economic engine – with the potential to produce even more regional horsepower.
Other states offer economic development role models for Wisconsin
If not the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., what? That’s the question that must be asked – and properly answered – in order for Wisconsin to embrace and execute an economic development strategy consistent with the realities of a competitive world.
Uncertain about mission of state economic agency? It’s called competition
During a debate over what to do next about Wisconsin’s lead economic development agency, a Republican member of the Legislature’s budget-writing committee took an openly skeptical stance.
Wisconsin's economic growth agency has always faced scrutiny
Long before the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. was created as a quasi-public successor to the former state Department of Commerce, state efforts to attract and retain companies and jobs wound up in the cross hairs of controversy.
Economic development in rural Wisconsin - What’s working?
If you want to understand just how misleading the unemployment rate can be as an economic indicator, take a look at rural Wisconsin.
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| Innovation news round-up |
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JSOnline: Wisconsin Pharmacal launches water purification device
JSOnline: Seiva Technologies, Argo Bus Share receive Launch Milwaukee honors
Kiince emerges as winner of Madison Club's "Shark Tank"-style pitch event
JSOnline: Intuitive Biosciences raises $1.3 million from investors
JSOnline: Wisconsin legislators propose strengthening 'noncompete' agreements
State Journal: Madison firm's breath analyzer can tell if you're about to gain weight
WisBusiness features 2015 BPC semi-finalists
JSOnline: Madison software developer Cellara raises funds
State Journal: Two Madison companies land investments
JSOnline: Madison medical device maker Neuwave raises $25 million
WisBusiness: Wisconsin a leader in health-tech innovation
Tech Council report to Legislature: Virtually all states make business loans
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| News, events and opportunities |
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| Get WIN-volved! Membership has its privileges |
Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) is The Tech Council's membership subsidiary - a community-based economic development organization dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. In association with the Tech Council, WIN programs focus on the needs and challenges faced by new and growing technology-based businesses in Wisconsin. When you become a WIN member, your membership applies to all chapters, statewide. Membership is for one year starting with the month you join. Go here to learn more about the benefits of a WIN membership.
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations that have recently joined or renewed their WIN memberships:
Corporate members
Government of Canada
HealthX Ventures
J.H. Findorff & Sons
Midwest Lighting Institute
PowerBuy4U
WiSys Technology Foundation
Zurex Pharma
Individual members
Marc Eisen
Cliff Grand
Anne Hlavacka
Bruce Lindgren
Sheila Long
Susan Miller
Andrew Pulvermacher
Brian Robertson
Jeremy Udovich
Michael Ulschmid
Mark Weber
Click here to fill out an online application to become a new member or renew your current membership!
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| Sponsor your next regional meeting |
Sponsoring your chapter's next WIN meeting will give you and your company immediate exposure to Wisconsin's best and brightest people. WIN is a network dedicated to giving a voice to the technology community as a whole - from the bottom up! Sponsorship opportunities are available on a monthly or annual basis. Contact Maurice Cheeks for more information.
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| Post events in our community events section |
Click here to add your event to the Tech Council Community Events section that is designed to assist in the development, growth and success of science- and technology-based businesses in Wisconsin.
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