AGENDA
Nov. 5-6, 2025 - Monona Terrace in Madison
More details on panels and such will be filled in soon!
| WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5 | ||
| 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. | Continental breakfast & registration | |
| 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. | Keynote speaker or plenary panel TBA | |
| 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. | ‘Open Mic’ Quick Pitches Each founder will have two minutes to pitch, with no Q&A afterward, to get as many founders in front of the group as possible. Don’t yet have a formal company? No problem. Tell us what you’re thinking of launching. |
|
| 10:30 to 10:45 a.m. | Networking & coffee break* | |
| 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. | Tech Council Investor Networks presentations (session 1) | |
| 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. | Mastering technical sales: Strategies to win over customers Turning your MVP into a market-ready product is one of the first milestones for an early-stage tech startup. The next challenge is selling it and generating revenue. A strong sales strategy depends less on features and more on aligning with a client’s priorities. This workshop will cover how to translate your unique advantages into the business language your buyers understand. Workshop leader: Roberto Munoz, Strategic Growth Group |
|
| 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. |
Bootstrapping and traction: Building smarter from the start |
|
| 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. | Lunch, Maggie Brickerman fireside chat and Triple E Awards | |
| 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. | Investor only meeting | |
| 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. | Innovation Exhibitor Showcase | |
| 2:35 to 3:30 p.m. | Panel Tracks | |
| TRACK A | Building market validation without burning through cash Validating a market doesn’t have to drain a startup’s budget. This session will share practical, low-cost ways to test ideas, reach customers and refine a business model before raising capital. Attendees will hear from founders, professionals who have helped companies gain traction and an investor offering insight into what they look for in early-stage startups that are building momentum with limited resources. |
|
| TRACK B | How to break into a difficult market Breaking into a tough or highly regulated market can be one of the biggest challenges for startups. During this discussion, founders who have successfully done it will share how they identified opportunities, built trust and navigated barriers to entry. Attendees will gain practical insights on persistence, strategy and creative problem-solving to help their own companies enter and grow in difficult markets. |
|
| TRACK C | How to sell when you don’t have a sales team Selling without a dedicated sales team is a common challenge for early-stage startups. In this discussion, a founder, mentor, academic and PR professional will share strategies for reaching customers, communicating value and building early traction. Attendees will learn creative, low-cost ways to generate interest, strengthen messaging and drive growth before a full sales team is in place. |
|
| 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. | Networking & coffee break* | |
| 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. | Tech Council Investor Networks presentations (session 2) | |
| 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. | What happens on the other side of the pitch? Ever wonder what investors really discuss once the pitch ends? This session will offer a candid look behind the scenes at how funding decisions are made. Learn what happens after founders leave the room, from due diligence to deal terms and how to strengthen relationships with investors beyond the initial pitch. |
|
| 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. | The road to MVP traction: Building a strong ‘minimum viable product’ and navigating your market Learn how to design, test and refine your minimum viable product to gain early traction. In this workshop, an experienced advisor will outline practical steps for turning ideas into validated products, gathering meaningful feedback and adapting to market signals. Discover how to balance speed, quality and customer insight to build a foundation for sustainable growth. |
|
| 5:30 to 7 p.m. | Reception celebrating Wisconsin’s entrepreneurs | |
| sponsored by Michael Best and Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation | ||
| THURSDAY, NOV. 6 | ||
| 8 to 8:30 a.m. | Continental breakfast & registration | |
| 8:30 to 10 a.m. | Governor candidate forum sponsored by SJL Government Affairs & Communications |
|
| 10 to 10:10 a.m. | Networking & coffee break* | |
| 10:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. | Investor Intros | |
| 10:10 to 11:05 a.m. | From innovation to protection: Navigating intellectual property in an AI world | |
| 11:10 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. | What not to do when forming your company | |
| 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. | Buffet Luncheon | |
| 12:45 to 2 p.m. | Elevator Pitch Olympics Pitch competition sponsored by Business Fitness Awards sponsored by Madison Development Corp. |
|
| *Networking and coffee breaks are generously sponsored by: | ||
| Husch Blackwell, University Research Park, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. |