AGENDA
Nov. 9-10, 2022 - Monona Terrace in Madison
| Wednesday, Nov. 9 | |
| 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. | Continental breakfast & registration |
| 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. | Keynote speaker: Bobby Franklin, president & chief executive officer of National Venture Capital Association sponsored by EUA |
| 9:35 to 10:30 a.m. | Panel Tracks |
| How we funded our companies: Hear from entrepreneurs on their funding strategies What funding path works best for you? How much capital do you need? How much equity are you willing to give up? Those are among questions entrepreneurs should ask themselves as they consider where and how they find sources of capital. We will hear how some young companies pulled it off … their own way. Moderator: Katie Schmitz, Ziegler Link-Age Funds Panelists: Chris Fernandez, EnsoData; Chad Johnson, Tip a ScRxipt; and Carol Vance, Alinea |
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| How do I know if I’m messing up? Finding the right advisors Leading an emerging company can be a lonely job, and it’s easy to be misled by your personal “echo chamber” on what works and what doesn’t. Learn why availing yourself of strong advisors can help avoid turning little mistakes into big ones. Moderator: Nick Myers, RedFox AI Panelists: Susan Healy, IAA; Derek Matzke, BDO; and Charles Neider, Neider & Boucher |
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| Tech talent wanted: Tactics for finding who and what you need Attracting, hiring and retaining the right people is essential for any organization, large or small, but the stakes can be larger when it’s a young company that cannot afford to make expensive personnel mistakes. Hear from companies that have devised strategies that are right for their stage and size. Moderator: Lamarr Banks, Greater Green Bay Chamber Panelists: Rosalinda Fowlkes, Colorful Connections; Keith Fuller, All About EX; and Andrew Verboncouer, Headway |
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| 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. | Networking & coffee break |
| 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. | Office Hours: Understanding Wisconsin’s “Qualified New Business Venture” (QNBV) process Host: Joey Frayne, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. sponsored by Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals |
| 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. | Triple E Award ceremony honoring Joe Kirgues and Troy Vosseller, gener8tor |
| 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. | Innovation Exhibitor Showcase |
| 2:35 to 3:30 p.m. | Panel Tracks |
| The financial returns angels and VCs need: What ‘treps should know Hear some of the basics of raising capital from investors. How your idea is presented counts – especially if you anticipate some oft-asked questions from those who may risk money on your company. A solid business plan, a product-market fit, a differentiator from the competition and an exit strategy are among elements that help investors decide whether you’re worth the risk. Moderator: Michael Thorson, Inventure Capital Panelists: Mary Hannes, Golden Angels Investors; Jonathon Horne, Idea Fund of La Crosse; and Israel Squires, Midpoint Ventures |
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| Navigating choppy waters: Lower valuations, down rounds and other tough seas It can be tougher to raise money in today’s uncertain economy, especially if investors believe your company is over-valued. What’s in the fine print for term sheets these days, and what do tougher terms tell you about who’s going to be in control if and when a downturn comes? Moderator: Ron Bote, WIPFLi Panelists: Robert Hopton, Health eFilings; Eric Lauria-Banta, Foley & Lardner; and Jenni Le, Venture Investors |
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| I’m not right for angel or venture: What are other money sources? Young companies can raise money in a variety of ways, but angel and venture capital isn’t for everyone. There are loans, grants, crowdfunding, in-kind trades, accelerators, lines of credit, venture debt and, of course, selling a product … perhaps the most overlooked strategy of all. We’ll talk to some experts who have seen their share of alternatives. Moderator: Danny Schmidt, RSM Panelists: Juan Gomez, Madison Development Corp.; Aaron Hagar, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.; and Idella Yamben, Center for Technology Commercialization |
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| 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. | Networking & coffee break |
| 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. | Tech Council Investor Networks presentations (session 2) |
| 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. | Networking & coffee break |
| 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. | Office Hours: Effective marketing strategies to master the game Hosts: Jennifer Savino, KW2 and Spencer X. Smith, AmpliPhi Digital sponsored by Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals |
| 5:30 to 7 p.m. | Reception celebrating Wisconsin’s entrepreneurs |
| sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen and Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation | |
| Thursday, Nov. 10 | |
| 8 to 8:45 a.m. | Continental breakfast & registration |
| 8:45 to 10 a.m. | Regional Innovation Engines plenary panel Moderator: Tom Still, Wisconsin Technology Council Panelists: Dean Amhaus, The Water Council; Andrew Graettinger, UW-Milwaukee; and Arjun Sanga, WiSys |
| 10 to 10:10 a.m. | Networking & coffee break |
| 10:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. | Investor Intros sponsored by Insperity |
| 10:10 to 11:05 a.m. | Office Hours: Numbers that matter: Where entrepreneurs need to focus Host: Dave Hynek, Business Fitness sponsored by Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals |
| 11:10 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. | Office Hours: How to sleep at night: Tips on burnout and other issues Host: Ashley Quinto Powell, entrepreneur and author sponsored by Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals |
| 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. | Buffet Luncheon |
| 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. | Midwest training platform for angel diversity plenary panel Moderator: Tom Still, Wisconsin Technology Council Panelists: Margie Bacheler, Angel Capital Association; Cordero Barkley, TitletownTech; and Kelli Jones, Sixty8 Capital |
| 1:15 to 3 p.m. | Elevator Pitch Olympics |
| awards sponsored by Madison Development Corp. | |