INSIDE WISCONSIN by TOM STILL

View Tom Still’s full InsideWis archives by clicking here.

Registration now open for our ‘virtual’ Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference!

We recently announced that Brian Pinkerton, Apple’s chief architect for Siri and a graduate of the UW-Madison Department of Computer Sciences, will speak June 4 during the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Conference on a virtual platform that will offer plenty of interaction with attendees.

Click here to read the conference press releases: (* NEW)
* Discounted registration for vets, students available for June 4 Entrepreneurs' Conference *
Tech Council's virtual event platform launched for June 4 Entrepreneurs' Conference 
Exact Sciences CEO Kevin Conroy to receive the 2020 'Seize the Day' award June 4 at 'treps conference
Five interactive workshops to target post-COVID strategies at June 4 Entrepreneurs' Conference
Panels at virtual Entrepreneurs’ Conference will focus on COVID-19 economic recovery 
‘Virtual’ Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference will offer plenty of ways for attendees to engage
‘Siri, did you know your boss will speak June 4 at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference?’

We’ll announce more conference highlights soon, including engaging ways for attendees to network among themselves and presenters. Nothing beats live, but this will come close! Among the features of the conference over time have been the Governor’s Business Plan Contest (see more below) and a presentation by the winner of the Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science, or YES!, contest. A full release on the young people advancing in that competition is linked here, as well.

Please stay tuned for more about panel discussions, workshops and special networking activities.                                                                    Register here!

The BPC class of 2020: Finalist profiles

The Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest began in late January and will culminate June 4 during the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference. Some contest finalists were profiled by senior and graduate students in a UW-Madison Department of Life Sciences Communication capstone class. Visit WisBusiness.com, our “Student Stories” and our BPC website to see more stories about these young companies. Today’s feature story is about “FixdPicks.”

FixdPicks uses AI for ROI transparency in sports betting
By Diego Vega Rivera

FixdPicks is pushing for artificial intelligence to be the next big thing to come to sports betting.

Founder Zach Nichols came across the idea for the new company when he was working on some code and saw that the algorithm was predicting the outcomes of National Basketball Association games rather accurately. It was through this code that the team created FixdPicks.

FixdPicks offers a subscription service that allows its subscribers access to the picks that the algorithm believes will win. By utilizing the algorithm, the AI can comb through many more data points than the traditional expert and can therefore predict the winning teams better than any individual person can.  Click here to read the full story.

WPR: Where stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 restrictions are in effect in Wisconsin
WISN: Counties, municipalities that reopened & remain closed
TMJ4: Dane County issues its own order, continues Safer At Home measures
City of Milwaukee Health Department: COVID-19 Public Health Plan for the City of Milwaukee
Wisconsin State Journal: 13 of 72 Wisconsin counties and the city of Racine have extended stay-at-home orders
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's which Wisconsin counties and cities have continued or started new stay-at-home orders
Urban Milwaukee: Cities respond to pandemic with public space experiments
The Journal Times: After the coronavirus: Your next road trip may look like this
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we've learned about how to protect yourself from coronavirus in reopened Wisconsin
Milwaukee Business Journal: Employers need to weigh legal and health ramifications when reopening, experts say
Madison.com: As Memorial Day tempts people outdoors, precautions advised
The Cap Times: Some Madison restaurant owners wary about reopening dining rooms
Madison.com: How should I clean and store my face mask?
Wisconsin State Journal: How to manage COVID-19 risk as you leave your cocoon

 Milwaukee Business Journal: Advocate Aurora invests in firm that gained attention as domestic PPE manufacturer
New York Times: Coronavirus shut down the ‘experience economy.’ Can it come back?
VentureBeat: Understanding VC cycles for post-pandemic success
WISN: 'UPFRONT' recap: Wisconsin lost $1.7 billion in tourism since mid-March
The New York Times: The coronavirus is deadliest where democrats live
WisBusiness: DWD Secretary Caleb Frostman called for increased funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to boost broadband in Wisconsin
WISN: Madison makes the Forbes.com list of cities expected to recover quickly when the pandemic is over
Wisconsin State Journal: Despite lack of surge, Wisconsin hospitals plan for future waves of COVID-19 infections
Release: Siemens Healthineers now shipping worldwide total antibody test and molecular test kit for COVID-19
CNN: May 24 HHS report to Congress on coronavirus testing plan
BizTimes: Coronavirus creates challenges for the building industry
Up North News: From zero to 85,000 tests per week: The inside story of how Wisconsin turbocharged its COVID testing
Wisconsin State Journal: Advocates say Wisconsin must act as surge of homelessness looms amid COVID19 pandemic
The Journal Times: Trading floor of New York Stock Exchange reopens
Milwaukee Business Journal: After 'worst financial month ever,' hospitals take out credit lines as safety valve
Wisconsin State Journal: Chief architect of Apple's Siri to give Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference keynote speech
Release: WEDC offers a new online way to shop Wisconsin: #ShopMainStreetWI
The Journal Times: In rural areas, teachers adjust to COVID-19 as students drive 30 miles to access the internet
Forbes: How to combat the tricky emotion wreaking havoc on your progress
Milwaukee Business Journal: 'Scrutinized for years:' PPP loan investigations could last a long time
Vox: 8 ways to go out and stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic
Madison.com: What you need to know about coronavirus today
The Journal Times: Students are struggling with mental health: Unified and partners provide support, resources
Milwaukee Business Journal: New OSHA guideline says employers must report workplace-caused Covid-19 cases
Urban Milwaukee: National Guard COVID-19 Funding at Stake
WISN: Wisconsin Veterans Museum hosted virtual ceremony for Memorial Day

• Gov. Evers’ office has launched a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government.
• COVID-19 Volunteer Program
• Prioritizing Children’s Mental Health
• Religious Gatherings and Services
• DVA Assistance to Needy Veterans Program
• Call 1-800-WIS-VETS for Veterans Benefits Information
• Relief and recovery resources for your business: Reopen guidelines
• Gov. Evers Announces Badger Bounce Back Plan
• Helping minority-owned micro-businesses weather the storm: Ethnic Minority Emergency Grant
  
• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this helpful Frequently Asked Questions document.
• The Wisconsin Department of Revenue offers these information sources:
•       Business Development and Government Relations (BDGR)
•       COVID-19 Information and Announcements
• WEDC has compiled a comprehensive overview of their resources along with state and federal resources to assist Wisconsin citizens aimed at maintaining the viability of the companies upon which our economy depends.
• Report any scams or price gouging to Wisconsin Department of Justice: If you suspect fraud or a scam, Attorney General Kaul suggests filing a complaint online at datcp.wi.gov.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) has guidance for businesses, Pending congressional and presidential approval, the SBA may offer another round of low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) and Paycheck Protection Program loans for businesses and non-profits impacted by coronavirus
• Centers for Disease Control: Coronavirus latest updates
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Wisconsin
• The FDIC has provided guidance to banking institutions and consumers affected by COVID-19 and encouraged financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers and customers in affected communities.
• The Department of Labor has issued guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements.
• NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers are providing services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers such as connecting businesses that are pivoting their production in response to the coronavirus to new supply chains, connecting firms with state resources, advising companies on new operational issues, and providing workforce support.
• “Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent” is a new project to help those displaced from jobs and employers now hiring
• The Department of the Defense has established the Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) for COVID-19 to assess and rapidly respond to challenges presented by this pandemic. They are collecting information from both government and non-government personnel who are interested in getting involved. All resources and solutions are welcome from industry, academia, venture capital firms, individual contributors and more. Request information here.
• Wisconsin Hospital Association releases a COVID-19 dynamic Situational Awareness Update
• View an interactive map of public wi-fi “hot spots” in Wisconsin