| Welcome to the November 2015 WIN eNewsletter |
Dear readers –
The success of the 2015 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium was defined not only by the exceptional work of our speakers and panelists, but by the quality of presentations by the 28 companies in the Wisconsin Angel Network “pitch” tracks. Many investors later confided that this year’s crop of presenting companies was the strongest, top to bottom, in recent memory. That’s a testimony to the companies themselves, but also to our steering committee members who expertly selected them from a larger applicant pool and our mentors and staff who rehearsed them. Other states may have more startups, but Wisconsin startups can match them, pound-for-pound, on quality.
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It's a wrap! View coverage, photos of Early Stage Symposium
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The 2015 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium was held Nov. 4-5 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. More than 600 people attended the two-day event and the opening Wisconsin WOMEN Reception. A special thanks to all our sponsors, presenters, speakers and steering committee members for their support! View news coverage and event photos (by Caynay Photo).
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Elevator Pitch Olympics winners cap Early Stage Symposium
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John Whitcomb, Whitcomb Technologies;
and Chris Kaufmann, iotaMotion |
Two young companies emerged as judge and crowd favorites in the 11th annual Elevator Pitch Olympics during the Early Stage Symposium. The 15 companies selected by the conference steering committee delivered 90-second pitches to a panel of investor judges, who scored each presenter and provided feedback. Learn more about the winning companies - Whitcomb Technologies and iotaMotion. Thanks to the session sponsor, Ascendancy Advisors, and to our panel of judges!
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Promise, pitfalls of startup 'crowdfunding' at Nov. 24 WIN-Madison
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Crowdfunding is more than just “kick-starting” wishful projects. With rules from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission now in place, more people than ever can become equity investors in early stage companies. However, the upside for equity crowdfunding is still a subject for debate. Wisconsin crowdfunding experts will elaborate on this topic during a panel discussion at the Tuesday, Nov. 24, meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network in Madison. Learn more and register here. |
2016 Governor's Biz Plan Contest open for entries online
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The 13th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest is accepting entries online for the 2016 competition until 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2016. The contest is designed to encourage entrepreneurs in the seed, startup and early growth stages of high-tech businesses in Wisconsin. Initial entries include a 250-word (or 2,000-character) idea abstract submitted online. That’s where contestants will also find business plan templates and other resources. Throughout the contest, mentors and judges from around the state offer feedback. Interested in sponsoring the contest or serving as a judge? Let us know!
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| Wisconsin YES! youth biz plan contest open for entries |
The Wisconsin YES! statewide youth business plan contest, produced by the Tech Council with major support from IBM, is open for online entries with an initial deadline of 5 p.m. April 4, 2016. Public, private and home-schooled students across Wisconsin are eligible to turn their science- and tech-related ideas into business plans and compete for cash and prizes. The contest begins with a 250-word summary submitted through www.WisconsinYES.com.
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Still to speak at economic development events in Baraboo, Wausau
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Tech Council President Tom Still will speak at two events around the state in the coming weeks. On Nov. 19, he will be a featured presentation at the Sauk County Development Corp.'s Fall Leadership Forum at the Baraboo Arts Banquet & Convention Center in Baraboo. On Dec. 2, Still will serve as the luncheon speaker at the Leadership through Innovation event at the Westwood Conference Center in Wausau.
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| 'WisBusiness: The Show' covers news, commentary |
Please watch the latest editions of "WisBusiness: The Show," the twice-a-month Web show covering state business news and issues.
Gretchen Jameson, Concordia University
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This episode of features an interview with Gretchen Jameson, senior vice president for strategy and university affairs at Concordia University, to talk about entrepreneurism on campus and the importance of PR and brand development within startup companies. Tom Still talks about strides made by women entrepreneurs and investors, and Liz Schrum presents this week’s Tech Metrics, a look at key indicators in the Wisconsin economy. The Show is produced by Red Arrow Production and is sponsored by UW-Milwaukee and Exact Sciences.
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| Inside Wisconsin columns tackle state, tech issues |
Changes in food industry can work to Wisconsin’s long-term advantage
Ebb and flow of the economy is on display in Wisconsin
State’s health-tech sector on comeback trail
Women gaining ground as ‘treps and investors in nation, Wisconsin
Exercising our bragging rights – reasons to feel good about Wisconsin
Congress’ push on Ex-Im Bank a good step
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| Get WIN-volved! Membership has its privileges |
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations that have recently joined or renewed their WIN memberships:
Individual members
Nathan Allman
Susan Banaszak Priebe
Duncan Bathe
Tony Berry
Joseph Blustein
Dan Clarahan
Jim Delaney Jr.
Austin Delmond
Mary Dixon Drake
Adrienne Foster
Scott Fulton
Wes Garnett
Derek Gebler
Austin Grandt
Kreg Gruben
Daniel Guerra Jr.
Andrew Hampel
Jake Hermes
Blake Hill
Regina Hirsch
Robert Hopton
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Individual members
Nicholas Kartos
Chris Kaufmann
Sam Khan
Chamy Lutz
Wade Maleck
Bryan McCormick
Randy Nagy
Richard Nelson
Tom Oakley
Sagar Patel
David Rasmussen
Aaron Redlich
Art Robinson
Kelda Roys
Marti Ryan
Russ Rymut
David Shulman
Praveen Sinha
Jake Smith
Bill Sotis
Dan Thompson
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Individual members
Bob Thorbus
John Van Dyck
Cheryl Vickroy
Steve Visuri
Eric Weiss
David Weissburg
John Whitcomb
Monika Wingate
David Worzala
Shigou Zhou
Corporate members
American Family Insurance
NEW Capital Fund LP
UW-Madison D2P
UW-Madison Dept. of Radiology
Phenomenelle Angels
Project Foundry
Easy Way to Health Inc.
WatrHub Inc
Insert Inc
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Click here to become a new member or renew your current membership!
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| Innovation news round-up |
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WisBusiness: Vets who are starting businesses will get help from Bunker Labs
CapTimes: Is ‘food tech’ Madison’s next startup trend? Industry insiders think so
CapTimes: Local startup, venture fund with Epic ties announce $3.5M deal
Xconomy: Marquette’s new seed fund underscores entrepreneurship push
WisBiz: Madison’s ‘Netflix for doctors’ looking to grow its content and customers
WisBiz: State startups can get a boost from UW-Oshkosh’s InventureXcel
WisBiz: GrocerKey looks for Woodman’s partnership to boost online grocery offerings
Hands-on programs show why investing in higher ed is right for economy
State Journal: OpenHomes wins the Shark Tank-style pitch contest
JSOnline: Jury rules Apple infringed on UW-Madison patent
State Journal: WARF wins in liability phase of patent suit against Apple
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Snapshot events calendar
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WIN-Madison
Sheraton Hotel, Madison
November 24, 2015
WIN-Milwaukee
UWM Innovation Accelerator, Wauwatosa
December 10, 2015
Deadline - Business Plan Contest
www.govsbizplancontest.com
5 p.m., Jan. 31, 2016
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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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