The Tech Council Current - April 20, 2020 edition

April 20, 2020

Dear readers,

Gov. Tony Evers has outlined several criteria to be met before beginning to dial back his administration’s latest stay-at-home order, including a downward track in the number of influenza-like illnesses and COVID-19 symptoms reported within a 14-day period.

Evers said he will also look for a downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period, which he hopes will reach 85,000 per week. Executive Order 31 also calls for more public-health tracking of those who have the disease and continued growth of supplies of personal protective equipment.

Dubbed the “Badger Bounce Back” plan, it’s a roadmap to reopen businesses. In a memorandum to the governor’s office Monday, the Tech Council noted other tools that may be used to chart disease-fighting progress, such as predictive models developed through the University of Washington and the University of Texas. That memorandum also asked whether regional or county openings will be possible, assuming testing and tracking goes well.

Gov. Evers Announces Badger Bounce Back Plan

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 InsideWis archives by clicking here.

Guest column: The future is here: Thinking about ‘down rounds’

Like much of the rest of the economy, though even more so, the high risk/reward entrepreneurship and investing sector has been on a roll these past few years. The venture industry has been raising and investing record amounts of capital; valuations have skyrocketed; and deal-terms have been ever-more founder-friendly.

Well, those days are over, at least for now. Look for 2020 to see declines in venture capital raised and invested; valuations to fall; and deal terms to pivot back towards investors. The future is here, and its looking more like 2001, or 2009, than 2019.

Tech Council member Jones’ full column can be read in our newsroom.

Paul Jones

We want to know how you’re doing!

Please complete a brief online survey, the results of which we believe will be helpful to policymakers, news media and others as Wisconsin prepares for the economic aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let me emphasis “brief” really means brief in this survey, with only 11 questions – counting demographics – and all questions answerable via radial buttons. It’s anonymous and asks for your thoughts on the timing of the economic recovery, what actions can help your organization, targeted workforce needs and more. We’ll publish the results when they’re tabulated.

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 we’ll get back to you. Thanks for helping this exciting group of entrepreneurs advance their companies during a challenging time.

A total of 155 drugs and 79 vaccines are being developed worldwide to combat COVID-19, according to the Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment. The Vienna-based institute, which specializes in scientific decision support in the health care sector, worked closely with European colleagues to produce the overview. Most of the 155 drugs under development against COVID-19 have already been approved for other (viral) infections and therefore require special evidence for approval against COVID-19. Of the 79 vaccine candidates, none has yet moved beyond the development stage. Learn more here.

Wisconsin ranks 33rd among the 50 states as a good place to work from home, according to a Wallet Hub report. Other recent Wallet Hub studies have examined Wisconsin’s standing among the states for increases in unemployment and effect on the tourism industry.

Join WisPolitics.com for a virtual event entitled "Earth Day: the Next 50 Years” on Tuesday, April 21

Reinhart Law is partnering with Wisconsin Family Business Center to host a webinar designed to help family-owned businesses: Planning & Portfolio Opportunities for Challenged Environments on Wednesday, April 22

Baker Tilly is offering a series of coronavirus-related business concerns (registration for all):
A briefing on coronavirus-related tax relief on Wednesday, April 22
Crisis, continuity and recovery: A real-time enterprise risk workshop on Wednesday, April 29

Inc.’s free Real Talk: Business Reboot - Ask Me Anything with Mark Cuban is on Wednesday, April 22

SBDC presents Keys to Business Survival: Cash Flow and SBA Relief Options on Wednesday, April 22 and Thursday April 23

BizTimes is hosting COVID Era and Beyond: Managing Workforce Liability Under a New Normal on Thursday, April 23

DreamBank is hosting Sales During Social Distancing: Thriving in the New Normal with Ashley Quinto Powell on Thursday, April 23

German Marshall Fund presents Beyond the Peak: Coronavirus Update from Europe on Thursday, April 23

HyperInnovation is offer a free Emerging Tech Hub Online Showcase on Tuesday, April 28

Aberdean Consulting is hosting several webinars to enhance the remote working environment safety:
Microsoft Outlook Productivity Hacks on Tuesday, April 21 and Tuesday, May 5
Collaborate with Microsoft OneNote on Thursday, April 23 and 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

· 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

NEWSLETTER SPONSORS:

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Gov. Evers announces Wisconsin is taking big steps to increase COVID-19 testing capacity
Wisconsin State Journal: (podcast) COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin, Week 5 — Where are the testing kits?
Milwaukee Business Journal: Tavern League proposes soft reopening for restaurants, bars in Wisconsin on May 1
Business Insider: The UK has greenlit a $300 million package to try to save thousands of startups from collapse
WisBusiness: Doubling rate for COVID-19 cases showing ‘remarkable progress’
The Journal Times: As Republicans question Safer at Home extension, 13 health organizations applaud it
The Cap Times: For black women and their businesses, help and networking move online
The Journal Times: White House, Congress near deal on $450 billion aid package
The Cap Times: Dane County plan outlines strategy to confront climate change
Urban Milwaukee: Utilities may recover pandemic-related costs
WPR: How coronavirus is affecting internet usage and capacity
Milwaukee Business Journal: See inside COVID-19 alternate care facility at State Fair Park
Forbes: Proposed: $2,000 monthly stimulus checks and canceled rent and mortgage payments for 1 year
Urban Milwaukee: UW System furloughs 588 employees
Milwaukee Business Journal: 5 top health care system leaders to take part in April 23 event on impact of pandemic
WMTV: Dole donates 2 million pounds of fresh produce to communities in need
The New York Times: Conservatives fuel protests against coronavirus lockdowns
CNN: U.S. coronavirus death toll tops 40,000 as researchers call for more testing before reopening economy
InWisconsin: Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial spirit rises to the challenge of fighting COVID-19

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

View UW-Madison’s COVID-19 top updates, plans and response.

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.

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 benefits accounts available for free to Dane County employees 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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