Still on the fence about coming to the annual Wisconsin
Early Stage Symposium in Madison? Here are 10 reasons to join nearly 400
registrants Tuesday and Wednesday for one of the Midwest’s premier events for
entrepreneurs.
Register through noon Monday at http://www.wisearlystage.com/ or register on
site at Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, 1 John Nolen, beginning
7:30 a.m. Wednesday. Why attend?
1. You’ll hear informative (and sometimes irreverent) speakers: Larry Landweber is an inaugural member of the Internet Hall of
Fame, but also an entrepreneur and investor who will talk about the past – and future – of the Internet. Greg Milman is one of the nation’s leading experts on how to win federal Small Business Innovation Research grants and other merit-based awards. We’ll also schedule Milman for small-group meetings. Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch will welcome attendees and talk about her passion for small business.
2. You’ll watch 26 up-and-coming companies make their case to investors: Seven minutes on stage go quickly for these young firms! Thirteen companies in each of two tracks will present during the
Wisconsin Angel Network presentation sessions beginning Tuesday afternoon. View more details at http://www.wisearlystage.com/
3. You’ll learn from successful entrepreneurs and business leaders: Panelists include: Randy Spauling, Spaulding Clinical Research; Maneesh Arora, Exact Sciences; Robert Hopton, IdleFree Systems; Mark Gehring, Asthmapolis; Aaron Everson, Shoutlet; Mark Wilson, TermSync; Becky Splitt, Study Blue; Rimas Buinevicius, Rowheels and Madcelerator; Andy Shrago, Lucigen; Jeff Leismer, VibeTech; Paul McCann, Aurizon Ultrasonics; Tom Watson, Johnson Controls; Jean Brittain, GE Healthcare, and many more.
4. You might bump into a seasoned investor: About 50 investors are registered for the conference. They represent groups such as Angels
on the Water, Baird Venture Partners, Calumet Venture Fund, Capital Midwest Fund, Chicago ArchAngels, Chippewa Valley Angels, DaneVest Tech Fund, DFJ Mercury Group, Gener8tor, Hyde Park Angels, Inventure Capital, Keane-D’Souza Fund, Madison Development Corp., NEW Capital Fund, Peak Ridge Capital, Phenomenelle Angels, QuestMark Partners, Shamrock Partners, Silicon Pastures, Silicon Valley Bank, Springboard Capital Strategies, Stateline Angels, Venture Investors, Venture Management LLC, Versant Ventures, Wisconsin Capital Partners, Wisconsin Investment Partners, Ziegler Wealth Management, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, banks and individual investors.
5. There’s no lack of program choices: The program features 16 panels and workshops spread over two days, including Wednesday’s First Look Forum to preview technologies spinning out of the UW-Madison campus.
6. You’ll walk away with our 54-page program manual: It’s a keeper for people hoping to track the who’s who of Wisconsin’s early stage community.
7. You can take in our first Tweet Pitch. Our inaugural “Tweet Pitch” contest will highlight innovative ideas from conference attendees. Using 140 characters or less, tweet a brief “pitch” of your business idea. All entries will be posted on the Tech Council’s website (www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/twtptch.html) and displayed on a monitor in the exhibit hall. At the end of the conference, the tweet with the most favorites and the most re-tweets will win a prize.
8. You’ll take a short elevator ride with new companies: Wednesday’s Elevator Pitch Olympics will feature 16 companies, often armed with little more than a good idea, for a series of 90-second presentations judged and scored by a panel of investors.
9. You won’t leave hungry: Two luncheons, a reception and two breakfasts are included in your registration fee. It’s hard to go wrong on that alone! Tuesday’s luncheon features the winners of Small Business Innovation Research grants in Wisconsin.
10. You’ll be a part of a major networking
event: Whether it’s the luncheons, the reception, the panel discussions or
lobby conversations, you’ll meet hundreds of people who are building
Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial economy. Register now and join them!
Register or learn more by visiting http://www.wisearlystage.com/.
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