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In This Edition
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Welcome
Learn more about the BPC
Mentors available during BPC
'White papers' coming soon
Industry trends at Cleantech event
Hub for 'treps topic of WIN-MSN
Madworks accepting apps
Economic trends breakfast
Gov's export awards
'WisBusiness: The Show'
Inside Wisconsin columns
Innovation news round-up
Events and opportunities
Get WIN-volved
Sponsor a regional meeting
Promote your events
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WisBusiness: The Show
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Click here for the latest episodes of "WisBusiness: The Show," which include a rising-and-falling stock report on Wisconsin business, commentary and an interview with a state business leader. Produced by Tweedee Productions and sponsored by Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, UW-Milwaukee and Madison Gas & Electric.
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| Entrepreneurs' Toolkit |
The Entrepreneurs' Toolkit, a soup-to-nuts guide for Wisconsin entrepreneurs, is available at www.WItoolkit.com and through the Wisconsin Technology Council website. It was launched in April and is designed to give innovators a pathway to resources available in the state and beyond. Those resources include information on business assistance programs, sources of financing, permits and regulations, how to choose a business structure, how to write a business plan and more.
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| Upcoming WIN Events |
WIN-Madison
Sheraton Hotel, Madison
Jan. 27
WIN-Milwaukee
Innovation Accelerator, Wauwatosa
Feb. 12
Have program ideas for your regional WIN chapter?
Let us know
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| Join WIN |
Click here to read more about member benefits and join today!
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| 2015 WIN Event Sponsors |
BMO Harris Bank
Insperity
SafeNet
UW-Milwaukee
UWM Research Foundation
Interested in sponsoring WIN events?
Contact Maurice Cheeks
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| Sponsor the Newsletter! |
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Newsletter sponsored by:
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| Quick Links |
Inside Wisconsin
Tom Still's column
More about the
Wisconsin Technology Council
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| Join Our List |
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| Our Major Sponsors |
Other major sponsors include:
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| Welcome to the January 2015 WIN eNewsletter |
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Dear readers -
January is a hot month for entrepreneurs and investors, with a variety of events and entry deadlines on the winter calendar. It’s also a time when the Tech Council board of directors publishes its biennial “white papers” report with recommendations for Wisconsin’s governor and Legislature on how to improve the state’s tech-based economy. Look for details soon in our communications with you, and thank you for your grassroots ideas that helped shaped those recommendations.
Sincerely,
Tom Still
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Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 14, to learn more about the 2015 Business Plan Contest from Tom Still, Tech Council president, and Jonathan Fritz, 11-time contest judge, in a relaxed atmosphere at Genna's Lounge in Madison.The informal presentation will include an overview of what it means to be a competitor, the benefits you will receive from participating, as well as answer your questions on how to present your idea as a winner! There is no cost to attend and a cash bar will be available. Get registered here.
Don't miss Tom Still and Henry Schwartz, of MobCraft Beer, on WISC-TV3's "For the Record" this Sunday at 10 a.m. As a past category winner, Henry will share his experiences and why he recommends the Business Plan Contest to others.
Also read Tom Still's recent column for more reasons to enter this year's competition.
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Experienced mentors from across Wisconsin will be available to offer advice to contestants during the 12th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.
At any point during the competition, contestants may submit their questions to veteran business mentors who have volunteered their time and expertise to assist entrepreneurs who enter by Jan. 31. Mentors will respond directly to contestants to offer one-on-one consultation. This year’s group of volunteers includes representatives from the Milwaukee-area Service Corps of Retired Executives and the Center for Technology Commercialization. Read more here.
Initial entries of 250 words are due by 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. There is no cost to enter. Visit www.govsbizplancontest.com for more information and to get started.
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Tech Council to publish biennial 'white papers' report
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In preparation for the start of the 2015 session of the Wisconsin Legislature, as well as the state’s 2015-2017 budget, the Tech Council will publish its biennial “white papers” report. The report is organized around four sections: Investment capital, human capital, technology development and business climate/infrastructure. Publication in print and digital form is expected in mid-January. In December, Tech Council staff began the process of meeting with individual legislators around the specific recommendations.
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Industry trends to be explored at Jan. 20 Cleantech Network forum
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| Timothy Donohue, director of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, will discuss the global cleantech market and expected industry trends and challenges in 2015 at the Jan. 20 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. Cost is $10 per person in advance and $20 at the door, including refreshments and snacks. Learn more and register here.
The forums are produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council in cooperation with the Mid-West Energy Research Consortium, Godfrey & Kahn and Kremer Ventures.
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| Members of the project team for the proposed StartingBlock Madison entrepreneurial hub will outline their plans to build a new incubator, accelerator and co-working space at the Tuesday, Jan. 27 luncheon of the Wisconsin 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. StartingBlock Madison proposes to build a roughly 60,000-square-foot building in the heart of Madison’s Capitol East District, which would house a mix of startups and other like-minded organizations involved in the entrepreneurial community.
Learn more and get registered here. This WIN-Madison event is sponsored by Insperity Inc. & BMO Harris Bank.
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Madworks accepting applications through Jan. 22 for Spring 2015
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Madworks is a seed accelerator operating in Madison that provides grants, mentors, lean start-up, structure, access to next round finance and more to selected early stage companies. Following lean startup methodology, startups are encouraged to “build, measure, learn” as quickly as possible. Madworks looks for the best people that have the ability to turn ideas into companies. Their 10-week program provides capital, office space, mentors, industry experts, service providers and anyone else you need to get off the ground and grow. Now accepting applications for Spring 2015.
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Tech Council's Still to speak Jan. 29 at economics trends breakfast
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Wisconsin Technology Council President Tom Still is among five panelists who will talk about the year ahead at the Northern Trust 2015 Economic Trends Breakfast, to be held Jan. 29 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee.
Still will join UW Foundation President Michael Knetter, SysLogic Inc. CEO Tina Chang, ABC Supply CEO and President Keith Rozolis, and Briggs & Stratton Corp. CEO Todd Teske in a discussion about trends in manufacturing, business technology, logistics, biomedical advancements, the housing market and more. To register, visit www.biztimes.com/trends. The event is produced by Biz Times Milwaukee.
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Nominate your company for Governor’s Export Achievement Awards
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Wisconsin companies that have achieved success in exporting are being encouraged to apply for the 2015 Governor’s Export Achievement Award,
which recognizes businesses and organizations that have achieved
extraordinary results in international markets or have contributed to
the state’s ability to compete in the global economy.
The
awards program, administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development
Corp., has been revamped this year and is easier to enter than ever
before. All companies need to do get started is visit inwisconsin.com/exportawards and describe—in 250 words or less—their recent exporting accomplishments. The deadline for the initial submission is 5 p.m. Jan. 30. Learn more here.
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| '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 Isomark CEO Joe Kremer speaking from the Early Stage Symposium about his company's work on non-invasive detection of infections. Also, Tom Still talks about Wisconsin's jobs future and Liz Schrum presents the WisBusiness.com Stock Report, which covers legislation and retail.
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 Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., Madison Gas & Electric and UW-Milwaukee.
Guests on other recent shows:
Ophir Ben-Yitschak, Scopia Technologies
Rock Mackie, TomoTherapy
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| Inside Wisconsin columns tackle state, tech issues |
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Cyber talent shortage matter of economic, national security
Consider Wisconsin’s major business sectors: They include financial services, insurance, health care and retail chains, all of which can be prime for cyber-attacks. And yet, most C-level leaders in those sectors would admit there aren’t enough trained hackers of the honest variety to go around.
Risk-averse Milwaukee makes raising money difficult
Tom Schuster, a seasoned corporate executive and turnaround expert who is now the managing general partner for the Wisconsin Super Angel Fund, spoke Thursday at a meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network in Wauwatosa. He outlined the investment goals for the $9 million fund while pointing out just how hard it is to raise such a fund in a financial risk environment that may be too cautious for its own good.
Skating to the puck: Policymakers should keep eye on emerging sources of jobs
As members of the Wisconsin Legislature suit up for the start of their 2015 session and a budget debate that is likely to last until summer, they should skate toward the “puck” of predicted economic growth rather than chasing prosperity where it was years ago.
In the tech world, ‘right-to-work’ laws aren’t a factor in either direction
If you ask the typical technology company executive or worker what they think about “right-to-work” laws, which say workers cannot be forced to join a union shop and pay dues as a condition of employment, you may get a blank stare for an answer.
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| Innovation news round-up |
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JSOnline: Madison health data company raises $5.7 million
Xconomy: Milwaukee has good startup ideas, still lacks capital
WisBusiness: Entrepreneurs cautioned on prepping for angel investors
Science: Shh! Wisconsin seeking to get in on secret cybersecurity research
Madison Startups: 100state to host ‘Shark Tank’ event
JSOnline: Bioscience company raises additional money from investors
Gaming industry in Wisconsin topic of UW-Madison News Service report
JSOnline: Hackers test, teach computer pros at Cyber Range
State Journal: State's economy looks 'healthy' and 'promising' for 2015
JSOnline: Wisconsin still missing an ingredient in the start-up stew
Angel investors help start-ups get off the ground
WisBusiness: National Academy of Inventors and UWM announce NAI Fellow
Trade trip to Mexico can help Wisconsin companies boost exports
Xconomy: SmartUQ raises $1.8M for simulation analytics software
JSOnline: Madison's Redox raises $350,000 in outside funding
Cambridge Major Laboratories announces expansion in Washington County
JSOnline: UWM selects internal candidate Mark Mone as new chancellor
Krakauer accepts Santa Fe Institute presidency
JSOnline: Madison's got game when it comes to electronic amusement
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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
Ascendancy Advisors
Boardman & Clark
Economic Growth Advisors
Eppstein Uhen Architects
Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau
Madison Gas & Electric
SafeNet Consulting
Uber
Individual Members
Marcia Brooks
Mark Daugherty
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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