April 9, 2020 Dear readers,
Tammie Clendenning of the Wisconsin’s Small Business Administration leadership team spoke during Thursday’s “Crossing the Coronavirus Chasm” webinar hosted by the Wisconsin Technology Council. She provided a detailed breakdown of the SBA’s COVID-19 relief programs, eligibility standards, resources and more. She also took questions from our online audience. Her presentation is posted on our website. In a related but separate development, the SBA has released new guidance that may smooth the way for angel and venture-backed startups to qualify for Paycheck Protection Loans. Read more here. If a minority venture capital shareholder with the right to block board actions "irrevocably waives or relinquishes" these rights, the startup is no longer an affiliate of the fund and in most cases can qualify for the loan if the startup has fewer than 500 employees. The Tech Council was among 130 similar groups nationally that asked for clarification of the rules; we’ll look for follow-up information in the days to come. Stay safe and sane!

Stay tuned for announcements about virtual Tech Council webinars on COVID-19 issues of interest to our members and others.

Do you have news or best practices to contribute to a future edition of Tech Council Current?
Contact Laura@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com 

Sincerely,

Tom Still, president

InsideWis: How Epic’s digital health tools are helping fight COVID-19
Until a few months ago, some health-care professionals were just as likely to view the use of electronic health records as a burden as an asset. Today, with the COVID-19 crisis nearing a disturbing crescendo in many U.S. states, those attitudes may be changing.

Experience thus far in the coronavirus outbreak suggests that digital health records and related online tools, such as telemedicine, are helping hospitals and health systems cope with the surge in requests for virtual diagnoses, analyzing trends in COVID-19 testing and managing cases requiring critical care.

Wisconsin-based Epic, a pioneer in the development of electronic medical records, provides such records for more than half of all Americans through 491 health systems. Its evolving story is a leading example of how health information technologies are making a difference in the lives of millions.
Click here to read the full column.

Aberdean Consulting is hosting several webinars to enhance the remote working environment safety:
Fast Track to using Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, April 14
Remote Office/Home Office Personal Security Discussion on Thursday, April 16

WARF's Crossroads of Ideas webinar (first of three-part series) will feature health experts to highlight how UW-Madison has been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday, April 14

Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs is hosting a virtual lunch designed for networking and mentoring on Thursday, April 16.

Join UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies for their Earth Day Conference on Monday, April 20

Baker Tilly is offering a series of coronavirus-related business concerns (registration for all):
From survival to recovery: Shielding your supply chain from COVID-19 on Wednesday, April 15
A briefing on coronavirus-related tax relief on Wednesday, April 22
Crisis, continuity and recovery: A real-time enterprise risk workshop on Wednesday, April 29

• WEDC Small Business 2020 Program: Assistance will be available to Wisconsin-based Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) List of All 23 CDFIs in Wisconsin to provide grants to their existing loan clients to help mitigate business-related cash flow issues in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Approved CDFIs will make program grants (up to $20,000) available to for-profit businesses meeting the following: criteria: Current loan recipient in good standing as of 3/1/20 with the approved CDFI (or its collaborating CDFIs);20 or fewer PT/FT employees; Greater than $0 but less than $2 million in annual revenues; and, preference should be given to service and retail businesses
• Gov. Evers’ office has launched a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government.
• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this helpful Frequently Asked Questions document.
• WEDC has compiled a comprehensive overview of their resources along with state and federal resources to assist Wisconsin citizens aimed at maintaining the viability of the companies upon which our economy depends.
• Report any scams or price gouging to Wisconsin Department of Justice: If you suspect fraud or a scam, Attorney General Kaul suggests filing a complaint online at datcp.wi.gov.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) has guidance for businesses, and is offering low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) for businesses and non-profits impacted by coronavirus
• Centers for Disease Control: Coronavirus latest updates
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Wisconsin
• The FDIC has provided guidance to banking institutions and consumers affected by COVID-19 and encouraged financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers and customers in affected communities.
• The Department of Labor has issued guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements.
• NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers are providing services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers such as connecting businesses that are pivoting their production in response to the coronavirus to new supply chains, connecting firms with state resources, advising companies on new operational issues, and providing workforce support.
  
• COMPTIA offers eight cybersecurity tips for working remotely
• Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent project to help those displaced from jobs and employers now hiring
• (new) The Department of the Defense has established the Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) for COVID-19 to assess and rapidly respond to challenges presented by this pandemic. They are collecting information from both government and non-government personnel who are interested in getting involved. All resources and solutions are welcome from industry, academia, venture capital firms, individual contributors and more. Request information here.
  

​View The Show full archives by clicking here.