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 about “MyGenomeRX.”

MyGenomeRX shows DNA variations can affect one's response to medication
By Liz Grady

Whether it is allergies, cold, flu or pain and chronic disease management, most people turn to medication for relief and intervention of symptoms. However, each person has variations of DNA sequences, and these variations can affect how a person responds to various medications.

MyGenomeRX is the only known digital health company to offer educational information on the influence of a person’s DNA on their response to medications. The company uses pharmacogenomics, a combination of pharmacology, the study of drugs and, and genomics, the study of genes and their function. Click here to read the full story.

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. 

Tech Council founding board member Eddy to receive honorary degree

Jan Eddy, who was a founding member of the Wisconsin Technology Council and the first to earn all three of the Tech Council’s highest awards, will be granted an honorary degree from Madison’s Edgewood College on May 16, 2021.

Eddy was a member of Edgewood’s board of directors from 2009 through 2019 and was a part of leading the institution through major transitions. One of the first women to start software companies in Madison, Eddy served on the Tech Council’s board from its inception through 2018. She received the Tech Council’s Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” award for her work as an entrepreneur; the “Excellence in Entrepreneurial Education” award for her work in mentoring entrepreneurs at Edgewood and elsewhere; and was inducted into the Tech Council’s “Investor Hall of Fame” in 2019. Click to read the full story.

One City Schools raising money to families; more needed

Congratulations to Tech Council board member Kaleem Caire and his team at Madison’s One City Schools for raising more than $100,000 since March 15 to assist families of children enrolled in that early-childhood education program.

You can download a copy of One City’s report on its COVID-19 Family Impact Relief Fund. So far, $39,045 has been spent to assist families in need with housing, food, childcare and other expenses. One City Schools is located at 2012 Fisher St. on Madison’s South Side. 

To learn more or help, contact Jessica Tormey, vice president for external relations at jtormey@onecityschools.org, or Gail Wiseman, director of business partnerships at gwiseman@onecityschools.org. To make a gift to the relief fund, please click here.

The Creative Company is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, May 12 with the Tech Council

How to Communicate with Clarity during Covid-19 will feature Laura Gallagher and Madison Lee from The Creative Company and Tom Still from the Tech Council. How are tech companies communicating well through COVID-19? We'll find out from Tom!!  We'll also share the 7 steps to communicating with clarity in any crisis.   Click here to register for this informative event.

Sift Healthcare has announced the launch of Rev/Track

Rev/Track leverages Sift’s AI and predictive modeling to deliver robust intelligence around payments behavior, insurance denials, collection trends, patient segments and revenue cycle work efforts.

Rev/Track provides revenue cycle leaders with instant access to interactive dashboards and detailed reports that make it easier than ever to extract meaningful insights from healthcare payments data and to make better informed decisions around revenue cycle operations. Click here to read the full release.

More on the June 4^th Entrepreneurs’ Conference

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. Miss something during the day? It will all be recorded. 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

Quarles & Brady is offering Navigating COVID-19's Impact on Reopening Businesses and Returning Employees to the Workplace on Wednesday, May 6

Aberdean Consulting is hosting several webinars to enhance the remote working environment safety:
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

WARF Entrepreneurons: Social entrepreneurs finding resilience during the COVID-19 crisis webinar is on Tuesday, May 12.

Wisconsin Online Global Programs and Grants Business Development present a webinar to help grow your sales, brand and business in a COVID-19 age on Tuesday, May 19.

·       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