Dear readers-

The Tech Council strives to bring timely topics to its members and others who attend our Tech Council Innovation Network meetings across Wisconsin. These topics often reinforce our policy and advocacy roles – but they also keep you abreast of trends in technology and local development. Five recent examples were our TCIN meetings on next steps for broadband penetration in Wisconsin, the future of wearable technologies, a primer of cybersecurity and what businesses need to know to protect themselves, attracting angel and venture investment in northeast Wisconsin and the role of music as an economic driver in western Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley. We were thrilled to see impressive crowds at these recent events and hope for more of the same in the weeks and months ahead!

Sincerely,
Tom Still, president

Seminars offer advice for emerging firms, others during March 27 Tech Summit in Waukesha

Representatives from nearly 50 emerging companies from many industries will hear from experts on a variety of topics as part of the fourth annual Wisconsin Tech Summit in Waukesha. The day-long event will be held Monday, March 27, at the GE Healthcare Institute in Waukesha, Wis. It will feature scores of “speed dating” strategic meetings between 14 major companies and emerging firms selected from a larger pool. General admission registrations are now available through Thursday, March 23. Please review the guidelines for general admission on the website.

Is technology changing the way we age? Join us at March 9 Innovation Network-Milwaukee

The coming surge in the number of older Americans presents the nation with a broad set of challenges that few have begun to fully contemplate. Regardless of what happens to the Affordable Care Act, there are two certainties: technology will play an increasingly important role in the delivery of care, and more energy will be focused on a coherent, workable approach to value-based healthcare. Learn how Wisconsin is fostering this innovation at the Thursday, March 9 meeting of the Tech Council’s Innovation Network in Wauwatosa.

Investors inside the house: New corporate ventures featured at March 28 Innovation Network-Madison

Two additions to the venture capital landscape in Wisconsin will be featured at the March 28 luncheon meeting of the Tech Council Innovation Network in Madison. Representing two corporate venture funds based in Wisconsin, Brian Kaas of CMFG Ventures and its parent, CUNA Mutual Group, and Craig Schedler, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, will discuss the funds, investment areas of interest, size of typical investments and best ways to connect with each funds’ team.

Investing in Wisconsin’s Future: 2017 White Papers
The 2017 edition of the Tech Council’s “white papers” report to the governor, Legislature and other policymakers has been issued. This 28-page report includes the Tech Council’s recommendations in four broad areas: investment capital, human capital, entrepreneurial climate and technology development. Past editions of the report have helped spur changes in state programs and laws that have stimulated the tech-based economy. The Tech Council’s white papers are also used to inform members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation about trends in the tech-based economy. Read Tom Still’s recent Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel column here describing his recent visit to Capitol Hill as part of the Tech Councils of North America “fly-in” to Washington, D.C., in mid-February. Click here to read about how the Tech Council lauds governor’s inclusion of Act 255 credit-cap change in 2017-19 budget.  Read the full report here.

50 plans advance to semi-finals in 2017 Gov’s Biz Plan Contest

Fifty entries from 26 communities have advanced to the semi-final round of the 14th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, contest producers announced Monday. The contestants were selected from a field of 172 qualified first-round entries by an independent panel of about 85 judges organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council and its programs, the Tech Council Innovation Network and the Tech Council Investor Networks.

March Madness! Students have month to enter ‘Wisconsin YES!’ business plan contest by April 3

The countdown is under way for middle- and high-school students to enter Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science, a statewide youth business plan contest modeled after the successful Governor’s Business Plan Contest. It is open for online entries from Wisconsin middle- and high-school students through 5 p.m. April 3, 2017.

Tech Council advocates for autonomous vehicle test hub in Wisconsin
The Tech Council’s recent advocacy on behalf of Wisconsin as a test hub for autonomous vehicles continued Feb. 22 with Tom Still’s testimony to the Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy. Read Still’s testimony here and his recent news column on the topic here.

Tech Wisconsin- Ep. 10: Ron Watson, Lewis & Clark Ventures

Xconomy: Capital stockpile grows as venture fund-raising hits recent high

WEDC: 2016 Deal Flow Snapshot Year-End

Release: Madison-based health care IT startup certified as qualified new business venture

Release: BrightStar announces first 2017 investment and sale of tax credits

Forbes: What angels need to do to get the new, best deals

BizTimes: Milwaukee 7 to provide ‘valley of death’ funding

Release: SBIR Advance: $525,000 in state matching grants to boost 7 high-tech small businesses

WEDC: Two Milwaukee startups certified as Qualified New Business Ventures

WisBusiness: The Idea Fund of La Crosse has closed on its initial fund

Release: Michigan VC Rizik to discuss Midwest ventures at March 27 Tech Summit ‘speed-dating’ event

BioEnterprise: Midwest Healthcare Startups Raise $1.7 Billion in 2016

Release: Lewis & Clark Ventures Ron Watson: Is the midwest undercapitalized? A conditional “YES.”

Forbes: A new angel investing platform connects deep technology, science startups with capital

WisBusiness: Gov. Walker proposes new business loan program for WEDC

WisBusiness: Fox Valley region must take more risks to grow entrepreneurship, panel says

Release: Tech Council supports gov’s investor tax credit plan