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June 25, 2020
Dear readers:
Welcome to the latest edition of the Tech Council Current, where we aim to provide information you can use as you navigate these challenging times. We recently reorganized the “News” section into categories that will help you quickly find the credible reports you need. Meanwhile, we’ll keep upcoming events and items of special interest in the lead position. Please read on!
As part of the Tech Council’s continuing series, “Crossing the coronavirus chasm,” we’ll hear from Tammie Clendenning and Lisa Taylor of the U.S. Small Business Administration for a follow-up webinar at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1. Individual and corporate members of the Wisconsin Technology Council may register now to learn how the SBA is working with small businesses. Please email Julie@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.
Topics will include the latest on the federal Payroll Protection Program and possible “forgiveness” on loans, the next phase of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, and other programs administered through SBA that may apply to specific businesses in Wisconsin and beyond. Click here to read more: Next “Crossing the chasm” webinar to feature latest on SBA programs on July 1
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. has extended the application deadline for its “We’re All In” small business grant program to 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 26, through its website.
The program is a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is designed to help small businesses get back on their feet while also encouraging adoption of best practices to keep employees, customers and communities safe. Funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the “We’re All In” small business grant program will provide $2,500 grants to 30,000 Wisconsin small businesses to assist with the costs of business interruption or for health and safety improvements, wages and salaries, rent, mortgages and inventory.
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Make sure to check out our newsroom below for fast-changing information about Wisconsin's reopening process.
Stay tuned for announcements about virtual Tech Council webinars on COVID-19 issues of interest to our members and others.
Do you have news or best practices to contribute to a future edition of Tech Council Current?
Contact Laura@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com
Have a great week ahead and we'll publish our next edition Thursday.
Tom Still, president
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Thompson brings background, support to UW System
The appointment of former governor and federal health secretary Tommy G. Thompson as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System will put a strong advocate for research and higher education at the helm. Click here to read Tom Still’s latest Inside Wisconsin column and below for additional press on the June 19 announcement.
Milwaukee Business Journal: Industry groups support former Gov. Thompson appointment as UW System interim president
The Cap Times: Thompson can renew and improve a struggling UW System
AP: Thompson creates UW System presidency transition team
HealthLeaders: Seeking to bring unity in a chaotic situation, UW System regents name former HHS Secretary Thompson interim president
The Cap Times: Thompson will be an excellent caretaker of the UW System
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COVID:
The Wall Street Journal: Coronavirus cases are accelerating across United States
Wisconsin Health News: MCW CEO sees ‘preliminary signs’ of unfavorable COVID-19 trends
Milwaukee Business Journal: Milwaukee needs another week to determine if ready for phase 4 of reopening plan
Milwaukee Magazine: The pandemic is hitting Milwaukee’s Latinx community the hardest
AP: Surging U.S. virus cases raise fear that progress is slipping
NBC: The coronavirus has destroyed the job market in every state: See the per-state jobless numbers
The Wall Street Journal: How exactly do you catch COVID-19? There is a growing consensus
WPR: Fewer than half of Wisconsin grocery shoppers mask up
STAT: Lawmakers push COVID-19 bills to prevent price gouging, track federal funds used to discover drugs
WISN: Before you go to the pool, beach or lake this summer, read these tips
NeoScope: COVID-19 deaths may have slowed because younger people are sick
STAT: The government’s minority health experts are conspicuously quiet amid COVID-19
AP: Is it safe to form a COVID-19 ‘support bubble’ with friends?
The Wall Street Journal: America is reopening. Coronavirus tracing apps aren’t ready
UW-Madison: Eight things everyone should know about coronaviruses
The Guardian: Half of US states see coronavirus surge as officials warn first wave far from over
STAT: How likely are kids to get COVID-19? Scientists see a ‘huge puzzle’ without easy answers
FoxNews: [Video]: Former CDC director on demographic shift emerging in coronavirus pandemic
Madison.com: Medical oxygen in short supply worldwide
ECONOMY:
Department of Revenue releases latest Wisconsin economic outlook
WisBusiness: Tourism looking up in northern and southeastern Wisconsin
Forbes: U.S. weighs new tariffs on $3.1 billion of European goods, including beer, olives, coffee, and chocolate
Wisconsin State Journal: State unveils new site to connect Wisconsinites with health insurance options
Madison.com: Midwest gambling faces long odds as COVID-19 pandemic turns tables
Milwaukee Business Journal: Milwaukee developing plan to allow eligible restaurants to open at 100% capacity
Business Insider: Trump signs a proclamation halting H-1B work visas and other temporary visas
Wisconsin State Journal: 'Save State Street': Businesses plead to city for changes
The Wall Street Journal: As states reopen, workers, executives want government to make masks mandatory
Forbes: President Trump: Next stimulus bill will be ‘very generous’ and announced in a ‘couple of weeks’
The Guardian: Millions of Americans can’t afford water as bills rise 80% in a decade
The New York Times: Square, is withholding money (up to 30%) merchants say they need
NBC: Big Tech juggles ethical pledges on facial recognition with corporate interests
SmartMeetings: Airline industry could lose $100 billion
WISN: Milwaukee mayor makes DNC announcement, plans for nearly all-virtual convention
USDA: Farmers to Families Food Box Program reaches 20 million boxes distributed
Tech Crunch: A look at tech salaries and how they could change as more employees go remote
The Wall Street Journal: The post-pandemic enterprise: What will it be like?
WisBusiness: Pandemic brings home sales down, prices up for month of May
ENTREPRENEURS and INNOVATION:
NeoScope: Adorable robot seals could help COVID patients fight loneliness
Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center: Q&A with UW–Madison professor of chemical and biological engineering Van Lehn
USA Today: A hub for Black entrepreneurs in Milwaukee focuses on sustainable change
Cincinnati Business Journal: P&G donates $10 million, launches new products to combat COVID-19
Release: RedFox AI launches BlueFox Box grocery delivery service exclusively in Madison
UW-Madison: Hamsters develop protective immunity to COVID-19 and are protected by convalescent sera
Inc.: This small furniture business is saving lives in the ER: How to strengthen your core business by pivoting to a new one
STAT: Sanofi, a straggler in the COVID-19 vaccine race, accelerates its plans
ChicagoINNO: Chicago startup A.M. Money is helping students get approved for college loans
StartingBlock: Announcing StartingBlock’s next Executive Director: Nora Roughen-Schmidt
The Guardian: Fugaku, world's fastest supercomputer, searches for coronavirus treatment
Government Technology: Longtime state employee Trina Zanow becomes Wisconsin's next CIO
Popular Mechanics: Madison-based Phoenix’s tiny neutron generators could pave the way for fusion
UW-Madison: Engineering professor Jack Ma: Critical communications component made on a flexible wooden film
Kiio: Afsana Akhter appointed as Chief Growth Officer
EHR Intelligence: Epic Systems tool to boost EHR data exchange for payer, providers
UW-Madison: New approach for breaking plastics down shows promise for ‘upcycling’ them
BusinessWire: Froedtert & MCW have expanded digital health offerings to pregnant patients through a new integration
INVESTING:
Crunchbase: How COVID-19 changed the VC investment landscape in the U.S.
San Francisco Business Times: Venture firm dedicates office hours, $1 million for funding Black and Latinx founders
ChicagoINNO: Midwest VC firm raises $10M to invest in LGBTQ founders
Milwaukee Business Journal: Milwaukee's Jet Constellations launches $50 million fund to invest in tech companies owned by Blacks, other minorities
BetaBoom: Developing skilled, effective founders with greater human capital investment
Pensions&Investments: Private fund managers failed investors in charging excessive fees – SEC
Midwest + Startups: Invest in the Midwest by M25’s Gutwein – Talent networks
St. Louis Business Journal: Startup Exit Awards 2020: Lewis & Clark Ventures accelerates portfolio as it eyes new fund
Minneapolis Business Journal: What Lunar Startups has learned from running an inclusive accelerator
Crunchbase: Introducing “Diversity Spotlight”: View and search by diversity data
Markets Insider: Investors should drop 'sell in May' strategy as summer stock-market rally could be in the cards
Crunchbase: OJO Labs raises $62.5 million in part from Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, acquires Movoto
EDUCATION:
Channel3000: Public health experts weigh in on how students’ return to school could impact the coronavirus fight
Milwaukee Magazine: This online Milwaukee history class is free at UWM right now
UW-Madison: Holtz Center funds thematic research cluster to investigate the implementation of clean energy in Wisconsin communities
The Cap Times: Regents, chancellors voice support for mask requirements across UW System
Bozho: UW rocket builders stay connected during pandemic
National Geographic: National Geographic Family launches virtual summer camp series
Brookings: Restoring regional public universities for recovery in the Great Lakes
Fox11News: Education leaders discuss opening Wisconsin schools in the fall
Post Crescent: Wisconsin schools should expect coronavirus threat for next 18 months, according to new state guidance
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· Gov. Evers’ office regularly updates a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and the departments of Financial Institutions, Revenue and Workforce Development. Some specific sites:
· The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this FAQ document.
· The Wisconsin Department of Revenue offers these information sources:
· The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has guidance for businesses.
· Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Wisconsin
· 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
· Wisconsin Hospital Association releases a COVID-19 dynamic Situational Awareness Update
· View an interactive map of public wi-fi “hot spots” in Wisconsin
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