Dear readers-

The new year is off to a fast start at the Wisconsin Technology Council, where our board and team is working on a mix of events, policy initiatives and more to keep Wisconsin’s tech-based economy on the move. The agenda includes the 15^th Governor’s Business Plan Contest, the 5^th Wisconsin Tech Summit, our Tech Council Innovation Network meetings and efforts to improve the state’s angel and venture capital climate. Read on to learn how the Tech Council is working for its members and the state.

Sincerely,
Tom Still, president

Two chances to learn more about entering the 2018 Gov’s Biz Plan Contest

Two workshops are scheduled for people who would like to learn more about entering:

• Learn how to succeed in 2018 Biz Plan Contest from past winners at Jan. 11 Tech Council event
  Three competitors from past statewide contests will talk about their experiences in the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest at the Thursday, Jan. 11 luncheon meeting of the Tech Council’s Innovation Network in Wauwatosa. On hand will be: Janet Phillips, CEO and co-founder of Vector Surgical; Alana Platt, CEO and co-founder of Classmunity; and Henry Schwartz, owner and founder of MobCraft Beer.
  
  
• Industrious is site for Jan. 25 BPC Madison workshop
  Join us at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Industrious in Madison to learn more about the 2018 Business Plan Contest. Tom Still, Tech Council president, and Jonathan Fritz, Chief Strategy Officer of Symphony Corp. and 14-time contest judge, will offer an overview of the contest and the benefits of participating, as well as answer attendees’ questions. There is no charge to attend. Appetizers will be provided.

Emerging companies may seek ‘speed dates’ with major firms at March 19 Tech Summit

Emerging companies may apply through Feb. 14 to meet with major firms and explore potential business relationships around technology needs and innovation as part of the fifth annual Wisconsin Tech Summit. The day-long event will be held Monday, March 19, 2018 at the GE Healthcare Institute in Waukesha, Wis. More information, including an application form, can be found at www.wistechsummit.com. Repeat emerging companies are welcome to apply.

Head of firm that “chipped” employees will speak at Jan. 23 Innovation Network lunch in Madison

The president of the first U.S. company to offer its employees a chance to wear a skin-implanted microchip will speak at the Tuesday, Jan. 23 luncheon meeting of the Tech Council Innovation Network in Madison. Patrick McMullan, president of Three Square Chip Companies, will describe how – and why – more than half of Three Square Markets’ 80 employees agreed to be outfitted with chips in their hands. The technology replaces identification cards and can be used to open doors, operate office equipment or pay for snacks in the company break room. R. Alta Charo, the Warren P. Knowles professor of law at the UW-Madison, will offer perspectives and describe emerging trends. The luncheon will be held at the Sheraton Hotel on Madison’s John Nolen Dr.

Longstanding goal of direct SFO air service for Wisconsin met by Dane County airport

An objective of the Wisconsin Technology Council since the early 2000s, non-stop service connecting the Silicon Valley tech hub to Madison and Wisconsin, will be launched at the Dane County Regional Airport this summer. A news conference to announce the start of a daily United Airlines flight to-and-from San Francisco was held Monday morning at the airport in Madison. “The Tech Council has long recognized the importance of direct service to Wisconsin’s major airports and worked through Dane County Regional Airport Director Brad Livingston over time to make the market-based case for such service to the airlines,” said Tom Still, president of the Tech Council.
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‘Wisconsin YES!’ student business plan contest open for middle, high school entries through April 2  
Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science, a statewide youth business plan contest modeled after the successful Governor’s Business Plan Contest, is open for online entries from Wisconsin middle- and high-school students through 5 p.m. April 2, 2018. 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. Entries that advance to Phase 2 of the competition will expand their idea into a 1,000-word executive summary. Throughout the process, students get feedback from professionals across Wisconsin who will serve as judges.

Tech Council to take part in annual CompTIA D.C. Fly-In

The Wisconsin Technology Council is participating in the 2018 CompTIA D.C. Fly-In, which is organized by the Technology Councils of North America and the Computing Technology Industry Association. Tom Still, president of the Tech Council, will attend this two-day event in Washington, D.C., to represent Wisconsin’s technology-related companies and our members who share a goal of growing the technology sectors in Wisconsin. The fly-in takes place Feb. 13-14, 2018, and will include visits to congressional offices. For more information, click here.

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