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 In This Edition

Welcome
Brad Feld to speak at 2013 ESS
UW Regents address Tech Council
Blank pledges help for 'treps
Women's health at WIN-Madison
Wis. Cleantech Network is Oct. 15
Midwest Innovation Summit
'WisBusiness: The Show'
Inside Wisconsin columns
Innovation news round-up
News, events and opportunities
Get WIN-volved
Sponsor a regional meeting
Promote your events

 WisBusiness: The Show

Click here for the latest episodes of "WisBusiness: The Show," which include a rising-and-falling stock report on Wisconsin business, commentary and an interview with a state business leader. Produced by Tweedee Productions and sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, Whyte Hirschboeck DudekUW-Milwaukee and Madison Gas & Electric.
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 Entrepreneurs' Toolkit
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The Entrepreneurs' Toolkit, a soup-to-nuts guide for Wisconsin entrepreneurs, is available at www.WItoolkit.com and through the Wisconsin Technology Council website. It was launched in April and is designed to give innovators a pathway to resources available in the state and beyond. Those resources include information on business assistance programs, sources of financing, permits and regulations, how to choose a business structure, how to write a business plan and more.
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The Tech Council offers notary services to WIN, WAN and WSRC members by appointment 
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December 12


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 Welcome to the October 2013 WIN eNewsletter
Dear Reader:

The upcoming Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium is a chance to learn about some exciting companies, to learn from a mix of speakers and panelists, and to network with an emerging community of entrepreneurs, investors and others with a stake in Wisconsin’s high-growth economy. Speakers such as Brad Feld will talk about what’s happening around the country and the world, and we’ll feature plenty of homegrown success stories, as well. Read on to learn more and register today for your best value!

Sincerely,
Tom Still, president

 TechStars co-founder to speak at Early Stage Symposium
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Brad Feld, an entrepreneur, investor and co-founder of the successful TechStars accelerators, will speak live via telepresence to open the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium on Nov. 5. Attendees who are present for the 8:30 a.m. presentation will receive a copy of Feld’s book, “Startup Communities,” courtesy of conference producers and a personal contribution from Mark Bakken, co-founder and CEO of Nordic Consulting. Read more here.

Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and its partners, the conference gives selected companies the opportunity to make presentations and meet with investors. For more information and to register for the conference, go to www.wisearlystage.com.

Twelve panel discussions on topics of interest to entrepreneurs and investors alike will be among the highlights of the annual conference. Organized across three concurrent tracks, the panel discussions will span both days of the conference. View the full line-up
here

Other speakers and highlights will be announced in coming weeks. The conference will also feature:

• The Wisconsin Angel Network investors’ track;
• The annual Elevator Pitch Olympics;
• “Office hours,” or small group discussions;
• SBIR/STTR awards luncheon; and
• The annual “First Look” forum

The exhibit hall will feature more than 40 companies from around the state. Networking opportunities will include a first-night reception, two luncheons, two breakfasts and an investors-only dinner.

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 UW Regents' economic chair addresses Tech Council board
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UW Regent Tim Higgins, chair of the board's Research, Economic Development and Innovation Committee, addressed the Wisconsin Technology Council board of directors on Tuesday, Oct. 9, in Neenah. The meeting was hosted by Plexus Corp.. View Higgins' remarks, as well as the UW System's strategic plan surrounding economic development, below. 

CLICK HERE to view Higgins' full remarks. 


Here is a link to the most recent meeting of the Regent's REDI committee. This includes the UW System Economic Development Strategic Plan, which is its "road map" for program development across the campuses statewide.

You may comment on the plan or Higgins' remarks by emailing him at thiggins@uwalumni.com.  

 WisBusiness: Blank pledges UW-Madison help for businesses
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UW-Madison produces cutting-edge science and skilled researchers. But like other institutions in the upper Midwest, it doesn’t do enough to promote itself, the university’s new chancellor said at the Sept. 24 Wisconsin Innovation Network luncheon.

"It’s the creation of a network of people like this around the state that is going to be necessary if (Wisconsin) is going to have the explosion of new ideas, new companies and high growth that some other areas of the country have come to take as normal.”

Click here for the full WisBusiness.com story. Read Chancellor Blank's remarks here and view the video at WisconsinEYE here.

 Women's health is topic at Oct. 22 WIN-Madison meeting
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Leading researchers from UW-Madison will explore advances in women’s health research, including breakthroughs related to breast cancer, at the Tuesday, Oct. 22 meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network in Madison.

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. The cost is $25 for WIN members, $35 for non-members and included with WIN corporate memberships.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, researchers will discuss new tools to improve the screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Panelists will include Wally Block, a professor of biomedical engineering and medical physics, and Elizabeth Burnside, a professor of radiology. They work with the School of Medicine and Public Health as well as the College of Engineering. The discussion will include updates on how these technologies will be put to work in clinical settings.

This event is sponsored by Wenger CPAs. Find more information and register here.

 Renewable energy expert to speak at Oct. 15 Cleantech event
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Art Harrington
, chair of Godfrey & Kahn’s Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Law Practice Group, will discuss Wisconsin’s renewable energy economy at the Tuesday, Oct. 15 meeting of the Wisconsin Cleantech Network.

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The forum will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wisconsin Energy Institute, 1552 University Avenue, on the UW-Madison campus. Registration and networking will begin at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person in advance and $20 at the door, including refreshments and hors d'oeuvres.

Find more information and get registered
here.

 Attend Cleantech Open's Oct. 17 Midwest Innovation Summit
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Cleantech Open's Midwest Innovation Summitt will be held Oct. 17 at The Depot Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn. Register for a ticket at www.mwinnovation.eventbrite.com.  

Attendee benefits include:
- Networking opportunities with more than 300 attendees
- Access to the showcase hall with more than 70 exhibiting innovators
- Gain insights from more than 25 speakers
- Listen to pitches from Cleantech Open companies

To learn more about the Summit including the latest agenda, visit: www.midwestinnovationsummit.com/agenda.

 'WisBusiness: The Show' covers news, commentary
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Please watch these latest editions of "WisBusiness: The Show," the twice-a-month Web show covering state business news and issues.

On this episode of the show, Liz Schrum interviews Rebecca Larson of the Alliance of Health Insurers about the health care industry in Wisconsin and the impact of the new health care laws; Tom Still points out some tips for improving the state's job creation efforts; and the WisBusiness.com Stock Report for early October 2013 covers workforce training and coal.

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Click here to view the biweekly show, produced by Tweedee Productions for the Wisconsin Technology Council and WisBusiness.com, as well as our archives of past shows.

The show is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, Madison Gas & Electric, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., and the UW-Milwaukee. 

Guests on other recent shows:
Jim Rice, Piiku
Dan Blake, Wisconsin Angel Network

 Inside Wisconsin columns tackle state, tech issues
 Still headshot for newsletter
Tools for fighting wildfires include incentives to manage neglected forests
The United States is home to about 297,000 or so square miles (190 million acres) of federal forest and rangeland. This incredible resource has always been – and forever will be – susceptible to fire, natural as well as manmade. But the fire patterns of the last decade or more represent a worrying change: There have been more fires that are more devastating, harder to fight, and more costly to people and the environment. 

Federal JOBS Act falling short of aim to aid startups
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama about 18 months ago. The goal was to make things easier for entrepreneurs who are raising money for privately held business start-ups, as well as broaden the pool of investors for such start-ups. The reality has fallen far short of that goal. 

Creating more jobs in Wisconsin is more than a political flap
Assuming national issues such as interest rates, the advent of health-care reform and uncertainty in Washington and abroad affect all states more or less evenly, what are the factors holding Wisconsin back? Here are some possibilities. 

“Big data” isn’t a big snore if you care about security
Making sense of how to collect, store, use and protect your own byte of “big data” was a theme of the Sept. 18 Resource Rendezvous at UW-Milwaukee, where about 80 people gathered to hear from cybersecurity experts and others from the worlds of research, business and defense. 

Water technology becoming a part of state’s global innovation brand
When first lady Michelle Obama dropped by the southern Wisconsin city of Watertown to urge Americans to drink more water, the original healthy alternative to sugary drinks, it seemed like a good gimmick. She “dropped” into Watertown… get it? The first lady’s visit was welcome, of course, but there’s a lot more happening under the surface of Wisconsin’s water technology economy than even the White House might know. 

 Innovation news round-up
Still featured in Post Crescent's 'Newsmakers' interview
Watch Tom Still's interview on "Newsmakers," the Appleton Post Crescent's online issues program. 

JSOnline: Portable watercraft inventor hopes to ride youth wave
A former executive from the computer technology field has developed a personal watercraft small enough to fit in a car but powerful enough to satisfy the cravings of adrenaline junkies. Named the Bomboard Urban Jet Ski, it comes in four snap-together pods that weigh a combined 140 pounds. 

JSOnline: Golden Angels investing network opens to new members
Due to a rapidly growing number of potential deals, the Golden Angels investing network is restructuring and opening to new members, the group's director said Thursday.

JSOnline: Virent named semifinalist for national award
Madison-based Virent Inc. has been named a semifinalist for a national energy technology award. Securing America’s Future Energy selected Virent and five other companies, saying they “represent the next generation of technologies that are poised to advance American energy security by helping bring an end to U.S. oil dependence.” 

JSOnline: Voxel Metric aims to be leader in 3-D products
Matt Halenka and Jesse DePinto, co-founders of Voxel Metric Inc., a Milwaukee 3-D scanning software company, were at the school earlier this week to discuss the emerging area of 3-D printing. 

WEDC publishes interactive map to display economic investments
Economic development investments made by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation are now open for public view through an interactive online map launched Oct. 1 by the organization. The economic impact map was developed through a partnership with the UW-Whitewater and UW-Madison. The impact map located on WEDC’s website (http://inwisconsin.com/inside-wedc/impact/) shows all of the individual investments WEDC has made since July 2011. 

State Journal: Bugher hopes to mentor business startups
After 31 years of public service — most recently as director of University Research Park for the past 14 years — Mark Bugher, 64, will retire Nov. 1. 

MDC provides venture debt funding for four tech companies
Madison Development Corp., a local non-profit development company helping hard-to-finance small businesses with loans, started a Venture Debt Fund to help technology businesses stretch scarce local venture capital dollars. Since inception, the MDC Venture Debt Fund has made about 40 loans totaling $11.5 million to local tech businesses. Four loans were just closed to Intuitive Biosciences Inc., SOLOMO Technology Inc., Veridt , Inc., and Wellbe Inc. 

JSOnline: Sensors put well water data on tap
Wellintel Inc., a Shorewood company formed less than a year ago, plans to begin selling in spring an inexpensive system that will give homeowners with wells more information than ever before about their water supply. 

WSJ: Getting startup capital without strings
Are you looking to raise startup capital that has no financial strings attached? Winning a business contest is one way to gather funds you don't need to pay back or forfeit equity to get. The same goes for small-business grants.

JSOnline: Epic Systems spawns growth in consulting jobs
The remarkable growth of Wisconsin's Epic Systems Corp. over the last decade has spawned a whole new industry: Hundreds of consulting firms, paying average salaries well into six figures, have sprung up across the nation to help hospitals and other health care providers install and operate the Verona company's electronic medical records systems. Nordic Consulting Partners Inc., the biggest Wisconsin-based Epic consulting firm, illustrates the phenomenon.

State Journal: Epic shows off Deep Space at annual meeting
Epic Systems Corp.’s enormous new auditorium — known as Deep Space — made its debut this week as more than 15,000 employees and customers gathered Monday for the Verona electronic health records company’s annual users’ group meeting, one of the area’s biggest tourism engines.

State Journal: Venture Investors raises $80 million fund
Venture Investors has raised $80 million — money that the Madison venture capital firm will funnel into promising, young companies in Madison and beyond, over the next decade. 

State Journal: Specialized medical devices as a new business field
A different version of the medical device industry is starting to take shape in Madison, with companies working on compact, specialized products aimed at updating and improving on past medical equipment and procedures.

 News, events and opportunities
Wisconsin Cleantech Network
Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison
October 15

Midwest Innovation Summit
The Depot Hotel, Minneapolis
October 17

Corporate Venture Forum
Hyatt Downtown, Milwaukee
October 18

Beyond China - Gateway to doing business in Asia
Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton
October 18

WIN-Madison

Sheraton, Madison
October 22

2013 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium
Monona Terrace, Madison
November 5-6

WIN-Milwaukee
Crowne Plaza, Wauwatosa
November 14

WIN-Madison
Sheraton, Madison
November 26

WIN-Milwaukee
Crowne Plaza, Wauwatosa
December 12

 Get WIN-volved! Membership has its privileges
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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
American Family Insurance Company
Capital Midwest Fund 
Exact Sciences Corp.
First Business Bank 
Group Health Cooperative 
Isomark 
Phenomenelle Angels 
Skearch 
UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations
Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corp.

Individual Members
David Chao
Timothy Cowling
Michael Doucas
Scott Fiducci
Brian Jensen
Lissa Koop
Chuck O’Meara
Carrie Pagliarini
Mark Ronnie
George Stone
Rajan Vembu
Richard Vernon
David Zachman

 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 Molly Lahr, WIN director, for more information.

 Post your events in our community events section
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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.
The Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) eNewsletter is a periodical of news, events and programs about the needs and challenges faced by the new and growing technology-based businesses in Wisconsin. WIN has chapters in western Wisconsin, the Lake Superior region, Madison, Milwaukee, northeast Wisconsin and central Wisconsin.
Email: news@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com
Phone: (608) 442-7557
Fax: (608) 231-6877
Web:
www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com


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