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| Welcome to the April 2015 WIN eNewsletter |
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Dear readers -
The coming months will feature a number of events aimed at enhancing Wisconsin’s tech-based economy. They include the June 2-3 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, an April 15 forum at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery featuring the director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, an April 28 WIN-Madison presentation by WISC Partners, the April 29 Cleantech Network event at the Wisconsin Energy Institute, a May 7 WIN-Northeast talk by Capital Midwest Fund, and a June 9 “Shark Tank”-style pitch event at The Madison Club. These are just a few of the ways the Tech Council, WIN and the Wisconsin Angel Network are keeping you connected!
Sincerely,
Tom Still
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Twenty-four entries representing sectors as broad as software, agriculture, water technology, medical devices and innovations in manufacturing are competing in the finalist round of the 12th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.
The contestants have survived two rounds of judging in the contest organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council and its programs. A lead sponsor is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Learn more and view the full list here.
The “Diligent Dozen,” or top 12 business plans announced in late May, will present in front of a panel of judges and conference attendees at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference on June 2 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. More information on the conference will be available in the coming weeks.
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More than 175 registrants participated in the second annual Wisconsin Tech Summit on March 23 at the GE Healthcare Institute in Waukesha. The day-long event brought together 16 major firms and more than 50 emerging companies for a series of about 175 15-minute "speed dating" meetings to explore possible business relationships around technology and innovation. The Tech Summit also featured seven "office hours" presentations to showcase support initiatives
available to emerging companies in the state. A presentation from Peter Gunder, chief business development officer of American Family Insurance, closed out the day before attendees had only final opportunity to connect during a reception. Thanks to all the sponsors and participants that made the event a success!
Read Tom Still's recent column covering the Tech Summit, as well as additional news coverage and a photo slideshow here.
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USPTO Director Michelle Lee to speak April 15 in Madison
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Bring your questions to a lively fireside chat and discussion on April 15 with United States Patent and Trademark Office Director Michelle K. Lee. The discussion, held in the H.F. DeLuca Forum at the Discovery Building, will be moderated by Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council.
Lunch will be served from 11 - 11:30 a.m., with a fireside chat from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Register by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10. The event is free and open to faculty, students, staff and the public. Contact towncenter@warf.org with questions. Learn more here.
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WISC Partners to outline investment plans at April 28 WIN-Madison
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David Guinther, founding general partner of WISC Partners, will outline the fund’s investment priorities, as well as its unique commitment to mentorship of early stage companies, at the Tuesday, April 28, meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network’s Madison chapter.
The luncheon will be held at the Sheraton Hotel on Madison’s John Nolen Drive. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., lunch at noon and the presentation at 12:30 p.m. Learn more and register here.
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Cleantech innovations, startups at April 29 Cleantech Network forum
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With more than $100 million in grants funding “cleantech” research on the UW-Madison campus, many new technologies are breaking out of laboratories and into the economy. Several of these innovations and startups will be featured at the April 29 meeting of the Wisconsin Cleantech Network.
The forum will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wisconsin Energy Institute, 1552 University Avenue, on the University of Wisconsin campus. Technologies featured will include innovations developed at the Wisconsin Energy Institute, the Great Lakes Bioenergy and Research Consortium along with other research centers. More information on presenting companies will be announced soon. Learn more and register here.
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Venture investment trends in NE Wisconsin topic at WIN-Northeast
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Daniel Einhorn, general partner of Capital Midwest Fund, will outline his firm’s investment priorities, opportunities in the region and why they are investing in Wisconsin, at the Thursday, May 7, meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network’s Northeast chapter in Appleton.
With help from Fox Valley Technical College, the luncheon will be held in the D.J. Bordini Center in Appleton on North Systems Dr. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., lunch at noon and the presentation at 12:30 p.m. Learn more and register here.
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June 9 Shark Tank event at Madison Club features startup pitches
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| Save the date for an event showcasing Madison's up and coming entrepreneurs. Join us at the Madison Club on June 9 when four startups will pitch to investors. Listen in as investors ask tough questions to evaluate each business opportunity, giving you insight on the criteria used when considering a new venture. This event is free to attend and open to the public. Email Becky Snyder at the Madison Club for more information on submitting an executive summary. Submissions are due Monday, May 4. |
| 'WisBusiness: The Show' covers news, commentary |
Please watch these latest editions of "WisBusiness: The Show," the twice-a-month Web show covering state business news and issues.
This episode features an interview with Brian Manthey of We Energies about the company's proposed $9.1 billion acquisition of Integrys Energy Group. Tom Still discusses Wisconsin's stake in the debate over the federal Export-Import Bank, and Liz Schrum presents the WisBusiness.com Stock Report covering tech companies and GeminiCares.
Click here view the biweekly show, produced by Tweedee Productions for the Wisconsin Technology Council and WisBusiness.com, as well as archives of past shows. The show is sponsored by UW-Milwaukee.
Guests on recent shows:
Todd Stuart, Wis. Industrial Energy Group
Marsha Bushman, Marshfield Clinic Applied Sciences
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| Inside Wisconsin columns tackle state, tech issues |
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GOP tussle over Ex-Im Bank affects state's export economy
Among the emerging rifts in the Republican Party is the fight over renewing the Export-Import Bank, a little-known federal agency that provides billions of dollars annually in loan guarantees and other financial support for U.S. exports. Either way the fight turns out, Wisconsin exporters stand to be affected. Read more in Tom Still's Business Commentary in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Managing state or regional ‘brands’ is hard
Brands are finicky things. If you don’t believe so, ask the red-faced politicians in Indiana.
Milwaukee's culture for emerging companies is stronger than ever
Working with more than 100 businesses in southeast Wisconsin, BizStarts is an example of a growing array of services for emerging companies in the region. Some are focused on start-ups and some work with more mature companies seeking to scale their operations. Others are tied to specific industry clusters such as water or energy, and some work mainly with campus-based entrepreneurs.
Keeping the pipeline filled with engineers essential for Wisconsin business
If you want to know why engineering appears once again on the rise as a career choice, just check out Education News and its “Career Path” database for average salaries for engineers.
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| Innovation news round-up |
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JSOnline: MobCraft plans second brewery in Walker's Point
JSOnline: BioForward names Lisa Johnson as CEO
CapTimes: A living moss wall anchors Zendesk at its growing Midwest office
WEA Trust's Mark Moody talks about future of health care delivery and coverage
State Journal: State may regulate Lyft, Uber
State Journal: Two local health-related start-ups add funding
JSOnline: Cellular Dynamics to be acquired by Fujifilm for $307 million
State Journal: Redox reaps accelerator bonanza
State Journal: Catching Up: Cyberattacks quiet for a week, could still continue
State Journal: UW-Madison vaccine protects monkeys from Ebola
JSOnline: Marshfield medical technology company raises $750,000 from investors
JSOnline: Three Madison-area life sciences companies raise $6 million in funding
State Journal: Nine board members join Wisconsin Technology Council
Fetch Rewards Receives $500,000 State Loan
From “Steadfast” to “Intrepid,” founder Notman highlights company goals in name change
Portals for doing business abroad are wide open for Wisconsin companies
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| News, events and opportunities |
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| Get WIN-volved! Membership has its privileges |
Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) is The Tech Council's membership subsidiary - a community-based economic development organization dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. In association with the Tech Council, WIN programs focus on the needs and challenges faced by new and growing technology-based businesses in Wisconsin. When you become a WIN member, your membership applies to all chapters, statewide. Membership is for one year starting with the month you join. Go here to learn more about the benefits of a WIN membership.
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations that have recently joined or renewed their WIN memberships:
Corporate members
DeWitt Ross & Stevens
Domann-The Board Room Inc.
Functional BioSciences
Mpirik
Individual members
Jenna Erickson
Tolga Gulmen
Alec Humphrey
Allen Oelschlaeger
Julie Pandow Helland
Tony Pharo
James Tretheway
Click here to fill out an online application to become a new member or renew your current membership!
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| Sponsor your next regional meeting |
Sponsoring your chapter's next WIN meeting will give you and your company immediate exposure to Wisconsin's best and brightest people. WIN is a network dedicated to giving a voice to the technology community as a whole - from the bottom up! Sponsorship opportunities are available on a monthly or annual basis. Contact Maurice Cheeks for more information.
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| Post events in our community events section |
Click here to add your event to the Tech Council Community Events section that is designed to assist in the development, growth and success of science- and technology-based businesses in Wisconsin.
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