The Tech Council Current - May 4, 2020 edition

May 4, 2020

Dear readers,

Happy Monday! In collaboration with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., the UW-Oshkosh Center for Customized Research & Services and MadREP, please consider taking the survey linked below by May 14. If you did not complete April's survey, please do so here so we can be sure your results can be counted in this second survey. Just as with the first such statewide survey in April, results will be used to measure economic loss and to assist in COVID-19 recovery efforts. Thanks to UW-Oshkosh for its survey technology and staff support!

Results will be available at county, regional and state levels. You’ll note this survey tool is dated and stamped with Observation Period #2. You may get the survey from more than one organization, but you only need to complete this survey once per observation period. Duplicates will be screened as part of the intake process. While there still some unknowns, it’s intended there will be a couple more observation period surveys through the tail end of the pandemic. Please contact me or Paul Jadin at MadREP should you have any questions.

Here is the survey: https://uwo.sh/covid-19-econ-may

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

May the 4^th be with you!

Tom Still, president

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 our “Student Stories” and our BPC website to see more stories about these young companies. Today’s feature story is of Partita, who is pivoting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Steady Shot’ aims to make injections more precise for diabetics
By Hailey Jauquet

In the 2020 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, a UW-Madison graduate finds himself a finalist as he strives to provide a low-tech syringe adapter to assist insulin users in the United States and beyond.

Shawn Michels, himself a diabetic who knows the tedious day-to-day annoyances of poking oneself multiple times throughout the day, is hoping to make that regimen better for others through Steady Shot. Click here to read the full story.

View Tom Still's Inside Wisconsin archives by clicking here.

UW-Madison Chancellor Becky Blank to speak during May 8 Tech Council webinar

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 is a virtual ‘go’!

The Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference will be held online June 4, making use of a virtual platform that will engage speakers, panels, the culmination of the Governor’s Business Plan Contest and a distinct networking experience for everyone. We’re excited about this highly interactive platform and will announce details soon, including at least one speaker who combines Wisconsin roots and national reputation. #WiTreps

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.

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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Wisconsin State Journal: UW-Madison’s free app for dealing with COVID-19 coronavirus launches across Wisconsin
WisEye Morning Minute: Nygren says federal COVID-19 aid to total $3.5 billion
The Cap Times: La Follette High School sophomore part of national youth group documenting COVID-19 experience
NBC: Oxford scientist says its vaccine is making headway, could show efficacy by June
WPR: Airing May 5 on the Morning Show: Wisconsin's papermaking industry and COVID-19
Channel3000: Dane County leaders announce additional $10 million for small business support program
Wisconsin State Journal: Middleton family creates newspaper with kid-driven content to liven up quarantine
STAT: Three potential futures for COVID-19: recurring small outbreaks, a monster wave, or a persistent crisis
The Cap Times: Business is up for Wisconsin grocers, but so are costs
The New York Times: Profits and pride at stake, the race for a vaccine intensifies
Milwaukee Business Journal: Milwaukee startup Agricycle launches food products made with solar dehydration device
WISN: RoddyMedical innovates state of the art 'TogetherMask' to help frontline workers
The New York Times: No more Jenga, no more ‘amen’ as cities learn to live with coronavirus
Wisconsin State Journal: Global race for COVID-19 vaccine includes Madison contenders FluGen and Pan Genome Systems
WisPolitics: Hughes says WMC reopening plan ‘thoughtful,’ ‘reasonable,’ but Evers administration plan should continue
WISN: GM and Ford lay out plans to restart their U.S. factories
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Epic Systems' culinary team goes from serving 5,000-plus employees to serving community
Wisconsin State Journal: Promega developing antibody test for COVID-19
Ozy: Butterfly effect: Rebuild the economy — while in lockdown
Futurism: Scientists find link between vitamin deficiency and COVID-19 deaths
WPR: Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear GOP challenge to 'Safer At Home'
BizWomen: Comfort-seeking consumers buying up loungewear, alcohol, junk food
KUT NPR: Texas researchers have a new ally in the fight against COVID-19: A Belgian llama named Winter

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
The Creative Company is offering a free crisis white paper download: How to communicate with clarity during COVID-19

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Tech Council Innovation Network membership:
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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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