The Tech Council Current - April 30, 2020 edition

April 30, 2020

Dear readers,

Wisconsin’s angel and venture capital capacity has grown steadily over time, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the wet blanket it has thrown over the economy has changed the picture nationally at a minimum. Please read my latest “Inside Wisconsin” columns to learn why Wisconsin’s young companies are not immune from those trends, but not without hope, either. Click here to read the full column.

Please read on to learn more about an upcoming webinar with UW-Madison Chancellor Becky Blank, the upcoming Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference and information about applying for SBIR grants.

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

Sincerely,

Tom Still, president

View Tom Still’s full Inside Wisconsin archives by clicking here.

May 8^th webinar with UW-Madison Chancellor Becky Blank

Tech Council Innovation Network and Tech Council Investor Networks members may take part in our 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 8 webinar with Chancellor Blank, who will discuss the role of a major research university in addressing a crisis such as COVID-19.

Individual and corporate members of the Wisconsin Technology Council and its programs, the Tech Council Innovation Network and the Tech Council Investor Networks may register for the May 8 webinar. There are limited “seats” in the Zoom meeting.
Members may email Julie Johnson at julie@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com to reserve a spot.

Entrepreneurs’ Conference on June 4, 2020 is a virtual ‘go’! #WiTreps

Some members and other past attendees have asked, “Will the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference be held this year?” The answer is yes … but virtually, not live in Milwaukee at Northwestern Mutual’s headquarters as previously planned but with the company’s continued support.

We’re excited about the highly interactive platform for doing so and will announce details soon.

The Wisconsin Technology Council is pleased to be a partner in the Wisconsin COVID-19 Business Impact survey, which involves regional economic development groups statewide and the UW-Oshkosh. The survey will be sent to businesses every three weeks to gather in-time effects of COVID-19 as well as to plot changes over time. The second installment is in early May. The only way to be included in the second installment is to complete this first installment of the survey.
Please complete survey here.

Center for Technology Commercialization: Last Call for Applications: Application deadline is May 8th!

Attention small businesses, faculty, post-docs and early career scientists! Tapping new leaders in your small business? The SBIR Ready Quick Course can help your business develop expertise to go after the $3.7B federal seed program. This remote quick course is open to small businesses interested in getting R&D funding assistance, as well as researchers and faculty wanting professional development in the grant writing arena! Learn more here.

Our Business Plan Contestants could use your support

We announced a crop of 28 finalists in the 2020 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest this week, and we’re looking forward to the competition entering the next phase. If you’re able to contribute services to the prize kitty – legal, accounting, consulting, office space, media and design, cash or something else a young company might want – please contact us. Email your ideas to: tammy@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com and she’ll get back to you. Thanks for helping this exciting group of entrepreneurs advance their companies during a challenging time.

WEDC and the Regional Leadership Council’s next COVID-19 CEO Leadership Series is Friday, May 1

Quarles & Brady is offering Key bankruptcy considerations heading into a recession webinar on Tuesday, May 5 and Navigating COVID-19's Impact on Reopening Businesses and Returning Employees to the Workplace on Wednesday, May 6

BDO’s Mitigating Financial Distress Amid a Global Pandemic will be on Tuesday, May 5

FiscalNote’s Staying Afloat - How Nonprofits, Associations and Corporations are Coping During COVID-19 webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5

Aberdean Consulting is hosting several webinars to enhance the remote working environment safety:
Microsoft Outlook Productivity Hacks on Tuesday, May 5
Using Microsoft Forms and Power Automate for Live Events (part 2 of 2) on Wednesday, May 6
Collaborate with Microsoft OneNote on Thursday, May 7

· WEDC Small Business 2020 Program: Assistance will be available to Wisconsin-based Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) List of All 23 CDFIs in Wisconsin to provide grants to their existing loan clients to help mitigate business-related cash flow issues in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Approved CDFIs will make program grants (up to $20,000) available to for-profit businesses meeting the following criteria: Current loan recipient in good standing as of 3/1/20 with the approved CDFI (or its collaborating CDFIs); 20 or fewer PT/FT employees; Greater than $0 but less than $2 million in annual revenues; and, preference should be given to service and retail businesses

· Gov. Evers’ office has launched a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government.
COVID-19 Volunteer Program
Religious Gatherings and Services
DVA Assistance to Needy Veterans Program
Gov. Evers Announces Badger Bounce Back Plan

· The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this helpful Frequently Asked Questions document.

· 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

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NBC News: Some states are starting to reopen and lift lockdowns, even as the battle against the coronavirus rages on.
The Journal Times: 'Glimmer of hope' with new drug as US deaths pass 60,000
NBC15: Dane Co. to provide $3 million in funding for Second Harvest
Wisconsin State Journal: UW-Madison orders furloughs for most employees as COVID-19 keeps campus mostly closed
Madison.com: 3.8 million more Americans seek jobless aid, raising total layoffs to 30 million
Forbes: Fed will leave rates at zero as Powell vows continued aggressive action to prop up economy
Wisconsin State Journal: Evers administration orders immediate 5% reduction in state spending amid COVID-19 pandemic
NBC News: Fauci warns reopening states: 'You can't just leap over things'
Madison.com: 9 ways to practice social distancing in the outdoor space
Milwaukee Business Journal: Dells, north woods discourage planning summer trips until further notice
Channel3000: It may be a year before sports return to normalcy in the US, Fauci warns
Isthmus: Sales up for small meat farmers, meat packing plant woes boost interest in locally raised and butchered products
CNN: Fed chair says this is the worst economy in history
NPR: We asked all 50 states about their contact tracing capacity. Here's what we learned

View The Show full archives by clicking here.

WI Health Connect: Think you may have COVID-19? Free, confidential over-the-phone screening now available.
Live dashboard with QUICK NUMBERS and FACTS on the IMPACT of COVID-19
IdeaAdvance: Get your idea off the ground: Learn more about this $75,000 seed fund.
Newance is offering free “Office Hours” for business leaders: Reach out to Amanda Daering.
Fiveable offers free AP assistance, the exams through CollegeBoard are scheduled for at-home and online in May.
Access Microsoft’s efforts to help teams work remotely and navigate online.
Michael Best has formed a COVID-19 Task Force to address business and legal implications.
Reinhart’s Coronavirus Resource Center includes the impact of HR 6201 on employees.
BDO monitors the latest COVID-19 business impacts and regulatory updates.
Wisconsin Veteran’s Chamber of Commerce: Member guide, understanding COVID-19 and how to plan.
Learn more about Epic tools that can help you and your organization treat and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
WIPLFi: Information to help businesses and individuals weather the coronavirus.
Quarles & Brady has created a resource of COVID-19 articles that impact clients and businesses.
Wisconsin Department of Tourism is actively planning for Wisconsin’s economic COVID-19 recovery.
Click here to sign up for the WisPolitics/WisBusiness daily healthcare report.
gener8tor is working in conjunction with AmFam Institute to host emergency one-week virtual programs for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Husch Blackwell explores issues at the intersection of law and public health emergencies.
TASC is making its expertise and emergency benefit accounts available for free to Dane County employers in 2020.
Neider & Boucher provides their clients with the necessary focus to help define and reach their goals during COVID-19.
UW-Madison’s CROWE researchers track and analyze the economic impact of COVID-19 in Wisconsin and beyond.
WMC launched a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Resource Center and Employer Toolkit.
Godfrey & Kahn’s COVID-19 Resource Center provides timely insights on the unique legal challenges and business implications created by the pandemic
Baker Tilly’s Coronavirus Resource Center: how an unplanned event such as the COVID-19 outbreak can affect your organization, employees, customers and suppliers.
The Burish Group: UBS Business Owner Resiliency Center

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Tech Council Innovation Network membership:
Experience for yourself why the Innovation Network has been a Tech Council tradition for over a decade. With more than two dozen events annually, you'll expand your network while learning from top-notch speakers. When you become a member, your membership applies to all chapters, statewide. With a variety of membership types to choose from, you and/or your company will be sure to find a membership that fits your business goals. Join today!

Need help finding the membership level right for you?
Please contact Angela Schlobohm, development & member relations director:
angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com or 608-442-7557.

Tech Council Investor Networks membership:
Your $750 Investor Networks membership entitles you to one free pass to our two major conferences (Entrepreneurs' Conference and Early Stage Symposium), as well as regular Tech Council Innovation Network events.

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