Dear readers-

The annual Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium in Madison is taking shape with the Nov. 15-16 conference in sight. Companies interested in presenting to investors and/or applying to meet with investors in a “speed date” format have through Sept. 29 to register. Our speakers’ lineup already includes Tamara Kleinberg, a national known expert on innovation. In the meantime, check out our line-up of events for September and beyond, highlighted below. We’re helping to keep the spotlight on Wisconsin!

Sincerely,
Tom Still, president

Innovation enabler Tamara Kleinberg to open November’s Early Stage Symposium
Entrepreneur, investor and author Tamara Kleinberg, founder of Denver-based GoToLaunchStreet.com, will open the 2017 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Through her speeches, consulting with companies of all sizes, books, videos and blogs, TED Talk veteran Kleinberg inspires audience to embrace innovation and create a culture of adaptability in themselves and their organizations. Visit www.wisearlystage.com to register and learn more about the two-day conference, which attracts early stage investors from across the Midwest and beyond.

Calling all companies! Apply for three chances to pitch at Early Stage Symposium

Applications are being accepted now from young companies that want to tell their stories to investors at our annual Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium #ESSWI, to be held Nov. 15-16 at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. The 2017 format includes two pitch opportunities – the Tech Council Investor Networks track and the popular Elevator Pitch Olympics – as well as a repeat segment that debuted in 2016, “Investor Intros,” which will allow pre-selected companies brief, one-on-one meetings with targeted angel and venture investors.

Marquette’s Lovell to cover campus, regional growth at Sept. 14 Innovation Network-Milwaukee luncheon

Marquette University President Mike Lovell will describe progress on the $600-million campus master plan as well as the university role’s in spurring regional growth at the Thursday, Sept. 14 meeting of the Tech Council’s Innovation Network in Wauwatosa. Lovell will talk about how Marquette’s eight-year plan ties into growth plans for the city and southeast Wisconsin. The campus plan includes a residence hall under construction as well as an athletic performance research center, a BioDiscovery District, an Innovation Alley, a new business school and more.

Fire captain who designed device to save lives on deck for Sept. 19 Tech Council luncheon

Firefighters who risk their lives to save others stand to get help from an innovative device that can guide them out of smoke-filled buildings. Jeff Dykes, owner and founder of Northern Star Fire, is an Eau Claire firefighter captain who won the 2017 Governor’s Business Plan Contest with a headgear compass to maintain or regain a firefighter’s orientation during a fire. Dykes was this year’s grand prize winner of the 14th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. He also spoke recently at the White House. Hear him pitch his startup and give updates at the Tuesday, Sept. 19, Tech Council Innovation Network luncheon meeting in Menomonie.

Raising ceiling on state tax credits for tech firms topic of Sept. 26 Innovation Network lunch

A proposal to raise the longstanding “lifetime cap” on how much money can be raised by emerging technology firms and still quality for state investor tax credits will be discussed at the Sept. 26 Tech Council Innovation Network luncheon in Madison. Hear two prominent state legislators, a leading investor and a tech executive whose Milwaukee-based biotech company is poised for growth discuss proposed changes to Wisconsin’s Act 255 investor tax credits law, which has spurred tech company and job creation since 2005.

Veteran business ‘musters’ on tap for MillerCoors, Stevens Point

The statewide series of events designed to connect military veterans with entrepreneurial resources continues this month with visits to Milwaukee and Stevens Point, and local experts will be on hand to educate and share information at both locations. Bunker Labs will host a WIVetBiz and BunkerBrews event 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 as part of the Muster Across Wisconsin tour. The second stop of the Muster Across Wisconsin tour this month will be in Stevens Point at Sentry Insurance’s Muse Hall from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Registration is now open for both events.

Economic empowerment of women in business in Wisconsin to be the focus for inaugural event 

Women leaders in tech, business, science, non-profit, and education will come together Nov. 14 to celebrate, empower and support each other at Women's Entrepreneurship Day. The conference will be held at Monona Terrace. It is part of a week-long celebration culminating in the global recognition of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on November 19th. Women’s Entrepreneurship Day ignites women leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to initiate startups, drive economic expansion, and advance communities worldwide. This event will be followed by the Tech Council’s Wisconsin WOMEN Reception.

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