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Emerging companies can apply through Feb. 24 to meet with major firms and explore likely business relationships around technology needs and innovation as part of the first annual Wisconsin Tech Summit.

The day-long event will be held Monday, April 7, 2014, at the GE Healthcare Institute in Waukesha, Wis. More information, including an application form, can be found at www.wistechsummit.com.

Major companies will be able to hear from emerging firms with innovative products or services tied to areas such as “big data,” connected devices and data analytics in sectors ranging from health care to information systems, and from power electronics to telecommunications. The Tech Summit, produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council, will include a series of brief meetings, similar to a “speed-dating” exercise, that will foster communication and partnership.

Participating major companies thus far are American Family Insurance, AT&T, Aurora Healthcare, Faith Technologies, GE Healthcare, HP Enterprise Services, IBM, JCI, Kraft Foods, Rockwell Automation, Runzheimer International and TASC (Total Administrative Services Corp). Others are being invited.

Speakers will be announced later this month.

Visit www.wistechsummit.com for more information on the event, the application process and sponsorship opportunities. Read Tom Still's column on the Tech Summit in the Wisconsin State Journal here.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson will talk about his transition from politician to business executive at the Feb. 13 luncheon meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network in Wauwatosa.

The luncheon will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 10499 Innovation Drive, Wauwatosa. Registration and networking begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m. and the presentation at 12:15 p.m.

Thompson, who also served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the chairman and chief executive officer of Thompson Holdings, a business umbrella under which one of the most familiar names and faces in Wisconsin politics is investing and advising about 30 companies, mostly in the health care space.

Register for the event HERE.

Entrepreneurs from 87 communities across Wisconsin submitted 292 entries in the 11th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.

Those entries included 98 in the contest’s business services category, 87 in information technology, 57 in advanced manufacturing and 50 in life sciences. The entries represent 283 individuals and include entries from 13 communities that had not previously participated in the contest.

Sponsors are contributing cash, office space, legal assistance, accounting, information technology consulting, marketing and more. A major sponsor is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

Additional sponsors of the 2014 contest thus far include: 100state; 5Nines; Aberdean Consulting; American Family Insurance; American Transmission Company; AT&T; BDO; Cleantech Open; Cresa Madison; Exact Sciences; Kollath & Associates; Madison Gas & Electric; Makin’ HEY Communications; Marshfield Clinic Applied Sciences; Michael Best & Friedrich; Mortenson Construction; Murphy Desmond; Pieper Properties; Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren; Revelation PR, Advertising & Social Media; Smith & Gesteland; Tweedee Productions; University Research Park; and UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations.

Read more about this story here. To become a sponsor or to learn more about the contest, visit www.govsbizplancontest.com or contact info@govsbizplancontest.com.

Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science, a statewide youth business plan contest modeled after the successful Governor’s Business Plan Contest, is open for online entries from Wisconsin middle- and high-school students through 5 p.m. March 17, 2014.    

Public, private and home-schooled students across Wisconsin are eligible to turn their science- and tech-related ideas into business plans and compete for cash and prizes. The contest begins with a 250-word summary submitted through the website. Entries that advance to Phase 2 of the competition will expand their idea into a 1,000-word executive summary. Throughout the process, students get feedback from professionals across Wisconsin who will serve as judges.

The Tech Council produces the contest, with major sponsorship from WEA Trust and IBM.

Visit www.WisconsinYES.com to learn about the contest and sponsorship opportunities. For information on becoming a judge, contact Joy Sawatzki.

The program will feature speakers and presentations in the following areas:

- The Wisconsin Technology Council and Wisconsin Angel Network on the latest trends, data and best practices in the state for investing in Wisconsin innovation.

- A Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. representative will outline the economic development agency's resources and programs.

- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point researchers whose projects were recently awarded more than one-fifth of total grant money given out as part of a new UW System program.

Attendees will also meet with other investors from around Wisconsin. Updates on varied topics from investors will include deal-flow opportunities, successful exit strategies for portfolio companies, the latest on deal terms trends and much more.

This free event will be followed by an evening networking reception. Learn more and get registered HERE.