‘Diligent Dozen’ BPC pitches can be viewed ahead of June 4 Entrepreneurs’ Conference

Finalists representing diverse tech-based sectors in Wisconsin’s early stage economy have recorded their presentations for online viewing as part of the 17th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. The four-month-long contest culminates during the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference. This year’s finalists have recorded seven-minute pitches on their business ideas for you to watch. New this year is a “People’s Choice” award and contestants need your support to win! Please watch all 12 and vote for your favorite before June 4. Winners selected by our judges as well as the “People’s Choice” award will be announced during our virtual conference. Click here to watch and Vote by June 2nd at midnight!

Register today for our ‘virtual’ Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference!

Last few days to register for the June 4^th Entrepreneurs’ Conference.  The virtual platform is full of networking, insightful panel sessions, collaborative workshops, an entrepreneurial award (see below!) and at the end of the day – the Governor’s Business Plan Contest awards.  We’ll have a “People’s Choice” (watch and vote here by midnight June 2), a “Bright New Idea” as well as category winners and a Grand Prize Winner!  You won’t want to miss this.  All sessions will be recorded for attendees for one year.

Click here to read the conference press releases: (* New!)
* Not signed up yet for Entrepreneurs' Conference? Here are 10 reasons to be there (virtually) June 4 *
'Diligent Dozen' BPC pitches can be viewed ahead of June 4th Entrepreneurs' Conference
Discounted registration for vets, students available for June 4 Entrepreneurs' Conference 
Tech Council's virtual event platform launched for June 4 Entrepreneurs' Conference 
Exact Sciences CEO Kevin Conroy to receive the 2020 'Seize the Day' award June 4 at 'treps conference
Five interactive workshops to target post-COVID strategies at June 4 Entrepreneurs' Conference
Panels at virtual Entrepreneurs’ Conference will focus on COVID-19 economic recovery 
‘Virtual’ Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference will offer plenty of ways for attendees to engage
‘Siri, did you know your boss will speak June 4 at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference?’

We’ll announce more conference highlights soon, including engaging ways for attendees to network among themselves and presenters. Nothing beats live, but this will come close! Among the features of the conference over time have been the Governor’s Business Plan Contest (see more below) and a presentation by the winner of the Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science, or YES!, contest. A full release on the young people advancing in that competition is linked here, as well.

Please stay tuned for more about panel discussions, workshops and special networking activities.                                                                    Register here!

WPR: Where stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 restrictions are in effect in Wisconsin
WISN: Counties, municipalities that reopened & remain closed
TMJ4: Dane County issues its own order, continues Safer At Home measures
City of Milwaukee Health Department: COVID-19 Public Health Plan for the City of Milwaukee
Wisconsin State Journal: 13 of 72 Wisconsin counties and the city of Racine have extended stay-at-home orders
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's which Wisconsin counties and cities have continued or started new stay-at-home orders
Urban Milwaukee: Cities respond to pandemic with public space experiments
The Journal Times: After the coronavirus: Your next road trip may look like this
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we've learned about how to protect yourself from coronavirus in reopened Wisconsin
Milwaukee Business Journal: Employers need to weigh legal and health ramifications when reopening, experts say
Madison.com: As Memorial Day tempts people outdoors, precautions advised
The Cap Times: Some Madison restaurant owners wary about reopening dining rooms
Madison.com: How should I clean and store my face mask?
Wisconsin State Journal: How to manage COVID-19 risk as you leave your cocoon
BizTimes: Area restaurants carefully approach reopening dine-in service
Humana offers a Workplace Reentry Essential Guide in checklist format to assist employers
Forbes: Expert advice for behaving responsibly during the next phase of the pandemic

Madison.com: WHO publicly praised China, privately expressed frustration by delays
The Cap Times: Mayor asks agencies to ‘focus on the essentials’ in budget
U.S. Army: New 5G switch provides 50 times more energy efficiency than currently exists
Madison.com: U.S. health experts warn protests may add to virus spread
The New York Times: A new projection finds the virus costing the U.S. economy $7.9 trillion
The Cap Times: Evers backs bill to overhaul prolice procedures
Milwaukee Business Journal: Medical College CEO 'very concerned' that protesters at risk for COVID-19
BizWomen: Half of consumers say they're ready to return to stores
CNN Health: How to talk to your children about protests and racism
STAT: Anthony Fauci on COVID-19 reopenings, vaccines, and moving at ‘warp speed’
Milwaukee Business Journal: State triggers extended program to provide more benefits to Wisconsin's unemployed
WisBusiness: WEDC: Applications to open June 15 for $75 million “We're All In” Small Business Grants
The New York Times: Five ways to monitor the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.
Milwaukee Business Journal: The number of full-time employees will affect your PPP loan forgiveness
Madison.com: How to protect yourself and protest safely during pandemic
Urban Milwaukee: State faces huge highway fund shortfall
Milwaukee Business Journal: What businesses damaged in riots need to know about insurance claims
Madison.com: Parents worried about money and summer plans amid COVID-19
Urban Milwaukee: Gov. Evers announces three appointments to the UW Board of Regents
Forbes: Dept. Of Education discloses illegal seizure of $2.2 billion from student loan borrowers
Inc.: Black business owners: Leveraging community in crisis
TechCrunch: Self-driving vehicle startup Argo AI completes $2.6 billion deal with Volkswagen
WisBusiness: Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center prepares for expansion, adjusts treatment techniques
Wisconsin State Journal: UW System announces one finalist in presidential search
Wisconsin Public Radio: Rural hospitals are reopening with new procedures, an eye on future outbreaks
TechCrunch: Locus Robotics raises another $40 million as retailers increasingly look to automate

• Gov. Evers’ office has launched a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government.
• COVID-19 Volunteer Program
• Prioritizing Children’s Mental Health
• Religious Gatherings and Services
• DVA Assistance to Needy Veterans Program
• Call 1-800-WIS-VETS for Veterans Benefits Information
• Relief and recovery resources for your business: Reopen guidelines
• Gov. Evers Announces Badger Bounce Back Plan
• Helping minority-owned micro-businesses weather the storm: Ethnic Minority Emergency Grant
  
• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this helpful Frequently Asked Questions document.
• The Wisconsin Department of Revenue offers these information sources:
•       Business Development and Government Relations (BDGR)
•       COVID-19 Information and Announcements
• 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