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| Dear readers, |
October 2019
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As our annual Early Stage Symposium draws near, we are excited to announce a record 87 young companies have applied, which speaks to the diversity of Wisconsin’s tech-based economy. Applications came from young firms in healthcare, software, other information technologies such as health IT, advanced materials, business and financial services, consumer products, agriculture and more. The geographic range also speaks well of Wisconsin. While 36 applicants came from Dane County, 35 others hailed from elsewhere in the state. Sixteen applications came from outside Wisconsin and from as far away as California. Join us at #ESSWI Nov. 6-7 for two days of pitches, presentations, keynotes, awards, panels and more. Registration is open!
Sincerely,
Tom Still, president
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Recovering from business loss is ex-NFL player’s topic Nov. 6 during Early Stage Symposium
Former professional football player Marques Ogden, who lost $2 million on a construction project in 90 days before lifting himself off the turf, will speak about entrepreneurial resiliency the morning of Nov. 6 during the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium in Madison. “I never overspent while playing in the NFL, lived in a townhouse, always drove pre-owned cars and did everything right according to most financial advisors and this one wrong business move cost me everything,” he said. Ogden will open the conference with thoughts on entrepreneurial traits and take audience questions. Read more + register!
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Milwaukee Business Journal: Half a billion dollars in VC funds to converge to hear state startups pitch
More than $500 million in venture capital funds will be represented at the Early Stage Symposium in Madison in November, where Wisconsin startup tech companies have opportunities to pitch their business models to investors. The gathering of VC funds expected to attend, which is growing by the day, is the largest pool of investors, in terms of fund sizes, ever assembled for the event. Click here to read the full article by Nick Williams.
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Investors will meet with emerging companies at 2019 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium
A growing list of investors from Wisconsin, the Upper Midwest and beyond will meet with emerging companies that take part in the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, to be held Nov. 6-7 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. Companies that are selected to present, at the conference will have three chances to meet with angel and venture capitalists, corporate funds, family funds and other investors on hand.
Read the article here and see the full list of investors to date here.
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Pulp, paper and packaging: Future of industry topic of Oct. 10 Tech Council luncheon in Appleton
* SOLD OUT * Has the rise of the digital economy derailed one of Wisconsin’s legacy industries, or is paper rebounding with the help of new technologies, innovation and environmentally friendly products? Panelists are Karyn Biasca, professor in the paper science and chemical engineering at UW-Stevens Point; David Falk, mill manager for ND Paper in Wisconsin Rapids, Paul McCann, vice president of industrial project development at Boldt; and Scott Suder, president of the Wisconsin Paper Council and a former leader in the Wisconsin Legislature. Steve Lyons of SJL Government Affairs & Communications will moderate the event. Read more.
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Anatomy of a project: Exact Sciences, Findorff partnership topic at Oct. 22 Tech Council luncheon
Get an insider’s view of the planning, technology and resources that went into construction of the recently opened Exact Sciences clinical laboratory. Findorff, one of Madison’s oldest construction firms, wrapped up work this summer on Exact Science’s clinical laboratory space on the city’s southwest side. Panelists are Gary Frings, chief information officer of Exact Sciences, Bob Hougard, science and technology lead of Findorff and Eric Lawson, president and CEO of Potter Lawson. Read more + register.
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Microsoft lab leader to discuss past, future at Nov. 19 Tech Council luncheon in Madison
Alan Halverson, a Microsoft veteran and UW-Madison computer sciences graduate who manages the Microsoft Gray Systems Lab in Madison, will discuss the lab’s past, present and future. Halverson, who has been affiliated with the lab since its founding, will cover how work done in Madison led to data warehousing solutions for Microsoft Azure; the future of cloud computing and machine learning; and trends that affect many sectors of Wisconsin business and industry. Jim Gray was the 1998 winner of the Turing Award, the world’s highest distinction in computer science.
Read more + register.
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Paul Jones
Michael Best |
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Guest column: The hockey stick revenue model – easy to dismiss, essential to success
The hockey stick model of revenue growth is so hackneyed by now that many entrepreneurs are loath to project it, and many investors loath to believe it. And yet, when you look at successful exit transactions, and the winners in most venture capital portfolios, you are likely to see a lot of them. The fact is, the stick deserves a lot more respect than it typically gets.
The poor reputation of the hockey stick revenue projection is rooted in the reality that most such projections prove fanciful. If, as an investor, your goal is a high batting average, there are few better strategies than dismissing every hockey stick growth projection as fantasy. You will be right most of the time.
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TECH COUNCIL NEWS SERVICE:
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Week of October 7-9
Wisconsin State Journal: Cellular Logistics, Cellular Dynamics scientists to study heart treatment in pigs
BizTimes Milwaukee: Six area companies launch MKE Tech Hub Coalition with $5 million
WisBusiness: Researchers using advanced imaging to detect blight in potatoes
BizTimes Milwaukee: Startup Milwaukee Week to return with diversity focus
Week of September 30-4
WisBusiness: the Podcast with Greg Keenan, WARF Accelerator program manager
Release: Phoenix and SHINE achieve new world record for strongest nuclear fusion reaction in a steady-state system
BizTimes Milwaukee: UWM-incubated startup SafeLi LLC awarded $1 million federal commercialization grant
WisBusiness: Data tools improving disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment
BizTimes Milwaukee: Rockwell Automation acquires system integration firm Mestech
BizTimes Milwaukee: New Milwaukee professional women’s organization to focus on inclusion, mentorship
WisBusiness: Cancer therapy receives ‘orphan drug’ designation from European Commission
Wisconsin State Journal: As flu season nears, shots urged while Madison vaccine research ramps up
Wisconsin State Journal: Ebola virus vaccine made at UW-Madison to be tested in Japan
Fortune: Why Northwestern Mutual CEO is turning Milwaukee into a tech hub
Release: WHA praises committee action to protect health care professionals
Week of September 23-27
WisBusiness: New WEDC CEO stresses strategic alignment within organization
Tom Still: F-35s in Madison
Insight: Titletown Tech named to top innovation space list
WisBusiness: New report documents health disparities between populations in the state
WisBusiness: Wisconsin ranked 19th for health of women and children in new report
Week of September 16-20
BizTimes Milwaukee: The Water Council launches second Tech Challenge competition
BizTimes Milwaukee: Seven startups named to fifth WERCBench Labs Accelerator cohort
Madison Startups: Fetch Rewards, Kount partner
Release: WEDC board chair Lisa Mauer names members of new Entrepreneurship and Innovation Committee
Release: SHINE founder and CEO Piefer awarded top honors by UW-Madison physics department
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Tom Still
Tech Council
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TOM STILL'S INSIDE WISCONSIN COLUMNS:
10/04/19 - InsideWis: No secret sauce, but some common ingredients for university-based startups
09/30/19 - InsideWis: Nation’s H-1B policies are compelling companies to offshore
09/19/19 - InsideWis: Turning early stage rejection into ‘yes’ can depend on supply of cash
09/12/19 - InsideWis: More regulation of tech industry isn’t long-term answer
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John Zeratsky
Author of "Make Time" and "Sprint"
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WISBUSINESS: THE SHOW:
10/09/2019 - WisBiz: The Show interviews John Zeratsky, tech designer, author and developer of the Google Sprint process talking about the concept of "redesigning time" along with Tom Still's commentary on the #ESSWI Early Stage Symposium and Tech Metrics.
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INVESTORS' CORNER:
WEDC: Investment in Wisconsin startups reaches new record
Release: SHINE closes $50-million financing with Oaktree to support execution of construction and commercialization plans
Milwaukee Business Journal: Here are the first four investments from Venture Investors’ new $75 million health VC fund
Release: Oshkosh native & serial entrepreneur launches ‘Atlene’, a venture capital fund and product development venture
WisBusiness: Venture Investors fund targeting medical surgery, drug discovery startups
Milwaukee Business Journal: Northwest Wisconsin business presentation software firm Fasetto raises $14 million
Milwaukee Business Journal: Wisconsin VC fund co-founded by Nasdaq chairman raising $4 million
BusinessWire: Imbed awarded $1.5 million NIH grant to fight biofilms in wounds
Release: WARF investment fund signals new tack in effort to grow adoption of UW–Madison technologies
BizTimes Milwaukee: Bayside-based MSI Data to accelerate hiring with Luminate Capital Partners’ investment
WisBusiness: Angel network co-manager highlights ways to drive investment across state
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GET INVOLVED:
Tech Council Innovation Network membership:
Experience for yourself why the Innovation Network has been a Tech Council tradition for over a decade. With more than two dozen events annually, you'll expand your network while learning from top-notch speakers. When you become a member, your membership applies to all chapters, statewide. With a variety of membership types to choose from, you and/or your company will be sure to find a membership that fits your business goals. Join today!
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations that have recently joined or renewed their memberships:
Need help finding the membership level right for you?
Please contact Angela Schlobohm, development & member relations director:
angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com or 608-442-7557.
Tech Council Investor Networks membership:
Your $750 Investor Networks membership entitles you to one free pass to our two major conferences (Entrepreneurs' Conference and Early Stage Symposium), as well as regular Tech Council Innovation Network events.
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