Dear readers-

Summer’s heat can be felt in many places, including Wisconsin’s tech-based economy. Read on to learn about events, news and other developments involving the Wisconsin Technology Council and its members, partners and friends. Be sure to mark your calendar for the Aug. 24 “Brew, Bites and Bytes” celebration at Wisconsin Brewing Co. in Verona, which will feature food, drink, music and a chance to catch up with others who make the state’s tech scene sizzle.

Sincerely,
Tom Still, president

Early stage deals up 6 percent in year, Tech Council report shows

The 2017 edition of “The Wisconsin Portfolio” shows a significant increase in angel and venture investment activity for the calendar year that ended Dec. 31, 2016. The report also reflects a near-doubling of Wisconsin early stage deals over five years. At least 136 Wisconsin early stage companies raised investment capital in 2016, a 6 percent jump from 2015. That’s nearly double the 74 deals recorded by the Tech Council Investor Networks in 2012. About $276.2 million was raised in 2016 by those 136 companies, up sharply from $209 million in 2015.
Here is the full report: http://wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/publications/wisconsin-portfolio/

Startups turning compost and keepsakes into cash: Join us at July 13 Innovation Network-Milwaukee

From compost to photo keepsakes, Milwaukee-area startups dominated the Business Services category at the 2017 Governor’s Business Plan Contest. Hear Melissa Tashjian, president of Compost Crusader, and Ann Matuszak, co-founder and CEO of Pixologie, pitch their startups at the Thursday, July 13 meeting of the Tech Council’s Innovation Network in Wauwatosa. The event will take place at UW-Milwaukee’s Innovation Accelerator, 1225 Discovery Parkway. Registration, networking and hors d’oeuvres start at 11:30 a.m. and the presentation at 12:30 p.m.

News from the R&D front in ‘war on cancer’: Hear latest at July 25 Innovation Network lunch

With an estimated 600,000 deaths and 1.7 million new cases predicted for 2017 in the United States alone, cancer continues to take a heavy toll. Learn how research, clinical trials and product design on the UW-Madison campus is waging the war on cancer by finding new pathways to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat the disease. 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.

Erik Iverson to reflect on first year at WARF at Aug. 22 Innovation Network lunch in Madison

A little more than a year into the job, managing director Erik Iverson will reflect on developments at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and talk about the organization’s plans at the Tuesday, Aug. 22 luncheon meeting of the Tech Council Innovation Network in Madison. 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.

Brew, Bites & Bytes: Sign up now for Aug. 24 Tech Council celebration at Wisconsin Brewing Co.

Join us Thursday, Aug. 24 at Wisconsin Brewing Co. in Verona from 6 to 9 p.m. for a casual evening of food, craft beer and live music to celebrate Wisconsin’s innovation and technology culture. Hosted by the Wisconsin Technology Council, Brew, Bites & Bytes is a relaxed evening open to people and groups who are a part of the state’s tech and innovation scene. Beverages will be provided by Wisconsin Brewing Co. and a traditional pig roast with all the fixings and vegetarian options will be served. The Grooving Needles, a classic rock band from Madison that includes “techies” in the group, will provide the live music from the brewery’s Backyard Bar and patio.

Governor signed bill allowing use of personal delivery devices in Wisconsin

Gov. Scott Walker has signed SB148 which allows use of personal delivery devices in Wisconsin. Click here to view 2017 Wisconsin Act 13.

Cleantech innovations, startups highlighted at July 24 Wisconsin Cleantech Network forum in Madison

With more than $100 million of federal grants funding Cleantech research on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus, many new technologies are being created that will have a significant impact on the Cleantech economy.  Some of these Cleantech innovations and startups will be featured at the July 24 meeting of the Wisconsin Cleantech Network forum. The forum will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Discovery Building, 330 Orchard Street, on the University of Wisconsin campus. Register by July 21 at warf.org/cleantech.

WisBusiness: Comply365: Receives strategic growth investment from Luminate Capital Partners

Xconomy: Renaissance VC’s Chris Rizik Wins EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award

VentureBeat: 8 steps to building a strong board of directors

Wisconsin State Journal: Madison’s Swallow Solutions adds $727,000 from investors

Milwaukee Business Journal: Andy Nunemaker’s Dynamis nears launch of commercially viable software

Xconomy: Coinigy adds users, as digital currency values soar

Xconomy: Swallow Solutions gulps down $700K to develop thickened beverages

CapTimes: Investment in Wisconsin startups is growing, report finds

Milwaukee Business Journal: Educated workforce drives Madison to No. 10 on tech city list

WisBusiness: Early-stage investments on the rise in Wisconsin