March 31, 2020 Dear readers,
We continue to be amazed and humbled the efforts by many Tech Council members and affiliates as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in ways that help people in Wisconsin and beyond. From major companies such as Promega, Epic, Exact Sciences and GE Healthcare to emerging companies such as Midwest Prototyping, Partita, Red Fox AI and many more, the innovation effort is nothing short of impressive. Consider today’s guest column by Buckley Brinkman, the head of the Wisconsin Center on Manufacturing and Productivity, with whom we’ve worked to discuss supply-chain issues. Or the launching of the “Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent” website by Scott Resnick of Hardin Design and others, also below. Examine our links from members and partners who are offering timely professional service advice. Keep it coming, everyone; we’ll get to the other side of this crisis much faster and better.
Only a few "seats" remain open … “Crossing the coronavirus chasm: Tips from investors for the COVID-19 era”  Individuals + corporate members of the Technology Council may register today for a 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 1 online webinar with two of the state's veteran early stage investors; Tim Keane of the Golden Angels Network and John Neis of Venture Investors. Keane and Neis will talk about what leaders of emerging companies should know as they look to complete term sheets already in the pipeline, seek follow-on funding and when (or if) to pursue and initial round of financing in today's climate. There are limited "seats" for the Zoom webinar. Current members of the Tech Council and its programs, the Tech Council Innovation Network and the Tech Council Investor Networks, may email Julie@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com to reserve a spot. Meeting log-in credentials and other guidelines for the hour-long session will be sent prior to the event.

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

• 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.
• 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, and is offering low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) 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.
  
• COMPTIA offers eight cybersecurity tips for working remotely
• (new) “Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent” project to help those displaced from jobs and employers now hiring

Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent: The goal of this website is to connect job seekers with companies hiring now.

If you are hiring, please take a few minutes and upload your opportunities here. Also, please consider looking at a local candidate who is in search of work. You can view candidates by using the password: WIJOBS. This includes early stage startups, larger startups, and corporate innovation teams. 

If you are reducing staff, please consider sharing this page with your team members. The goal will be to ensure as smooth of a transition as possible for those who are now facing economic challenges. 

If you are a venture fund, please consider sharing this with your portfolio companies that are either hiring or reducing staff. 

Tech Council members may also continue to use:
wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/about/career-opportunities/  to post positions they may have open. Please email Angela Schlobohm at angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com to get your opening posted on our website. 

GUEST COLUMN: Don’t waste a crisis!
All of us started by making sure our loved ones and those close to us were safe and as healthy as possible. My journey continues by helping the state find personal protective equipment (PPE), while staying connected to my peers across the country to discover how we can collectively overcome common obstacles. I'm learning a great deal from engaging around this cataclysm.

Once again, we'e learning to the vital role our manufacturing base plays in our resilience and ability to maintain a strong economy in the face of a health emergency. Our current demands put tremendous stress on the system, exposing its strengths and weaknesses.

Tech Council member Buckley Brinkman is the Executive Director/CEO at Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity. Click here to read the full column.

Channel3000: ‘We just want to do our part’: Exact Sciences begins COVID-19 testing
Gov. Evers requests Presidential Disaster Declaration in response to COVID-19 pandemic
Wisconsin State Journal: UW-Madison braces for estimated $100 million loss because of COVID-19 pandemic
WisconsinEye: Sec. Frostman responded to questions regarding the Wisconsin unemployment insurance situation
Wisconsin State Journal: Wisconsin launches child care portal; warn COVID-19 crisis could 'decimate' strained system
The Wisconsin Paper Council thanks ND Paper for generous donations to fight COVID-19 in Wisconsin
WKOW: BioForward Wisconsin donates personal protective equipment to eight Madison agencies
Release: Johnson & Johnson announces commitment to supply 1 billion vaccines worldwide for emergency pandemic use
CNBC: Abbott Labs CEO on new coronavirus test launches: ‘There’s a need for more’
WisBusiness: Hotel and lodging group CEO seeing ‘devastation’ in the industry

Release: After a successful launch, StartingBlock announces search for next executive director

• Live dashboard with QUICK NUMBERS and FACTS on the IMPACT of COVID-19View UW
• Madison’s COVID-19 top updates, plans and response
• IdeaAdvance: (Remote learning opp.) Learn more about this $75,000 seed fund
• Newance is offering free “Office Hours” for any business leaders who need to talk through remote management: Click here to reach out to Amanda Daering
• Fiveable offers free AP assistance while in-person “Advanced Placement” high school classes aren’t in session. AP at-home online exams through CollegeBoard are scheduled for May: Learn more
• 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.
• InBusiness Madison offers tips for professionals suddenly forced into remote work on cybersecurity, what to do with “free” time, and how to manage those distractions known as kids
• Baker Tilly: Coronavirus preparedness resource center
• Godfrey & Kahn: Financial relief for businesses under the CARES Act ad related Federal Reserve initiatives
• 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
• 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, starting March 30