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WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8 |
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. |
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Continental breakfast & registration |
8:30 to 9:30 a.m. |
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Let the (video) games begin! State industry status, hands-on demos plenary panel |
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Moderator: Tom Still, Wisconsin Technology Council |
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Panelists: Tim Gerritsen, Lost Boys Interactive; Ben Kvalo, Midwest Games; and Brian Raffel, Raven Software |
9:35 to 10:30 a.m. |
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Panel Tracks |
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TRACK A |
The financial returns investors need: What that means for entrepreneurs |
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Investors evaluate your company based on the potential return you may provide in the context of their entire investment portfolio. In today’s volatile investing environment, learn how you can persuade them to invest in you, based on factors such as investment stage, investor types and fund objectives. Experienced panelists with backgrounds in angel, seed and venture funds will discuss how they view return potential; opportunities in the context of an overall portfolio; today’s macro economy; and how your valuations and key metrics affect their investment decisions. |
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Moderator: Mike Thorson, Inventure Capital |
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Panelists: Dana Guthrie, Gateway Capital Partners; Laurence Hayward, ATOMS VC; and Tim Keane, Golden Angels Investors |
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TRACK B |
Coming to terms with your term sheet: Lower valuations, down rounds and more harsh realities |
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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? |
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Moderator: Eric Lauria-Banta, Foley & Lardner |
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Panelists: Jonathon Horne, Idea Fund of La Crosse; Kurt Roots, Bend Health; and Victoria Thayer, Novii CPA |
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TRACK C |
Reverse pitch: A founder asks investors what went right – and wrong |
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Investors sometimes turn down a deal on first inspection but rethink their decision if new information surfaces or they see the potential of co-investing with others. Join entrepreneur Kevin Barnett of Pyran, Leon Ostrowski of Wisconsin River Business Angels and Brad Bodden of Wisconsin investment Partners for a case study that led to funding for Pyran. |
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Moderator: Kevin Barnett, Pyran |
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Panelists: Brad Bodden, Wisconsin Investment Partners and Leon Ostrowski, Wisconsin River Business Angels |
10:30 to 10:45 a.m. |
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Networking & coffee break* |
10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. |
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Tech Council Investor Networks presentations (session 1) |
10:45 to 11:30 a.m. |
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Networking & coffee break* |
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. |
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Office Hours: Understanding Wisconsin’s “Qualified New Business Venture” (QNBV) process |
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Host: Joey Frayne, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. |
12:15 to 2 p.m. |
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Lunch |
12:30 to 1:15 p.m. |
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Economist, ex-White House advisor Michael Knetter speech |
1:15 to 2 p.m. |
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Triple E award ceremony honoring Susie & Matt Younkle |
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Triple E award ceremony sponsored by Madison Development Corp. |
1:45 to 2:30 p.m. |
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Investor only meeting |
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Sponsored by Insperity |
2 to 2:30 p.m. |
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Innovation Exhibitor Showcase |
2:35 to 3:30 p.m. |
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Panel Tracks |
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TRACK A |
How we funded our companies: Entrepreneurs describe what works for them |
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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. |
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Moderator: Nick Myers, RedFox AI |
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Panelists: Mark Gehring, ImageMoverMD; Rachel Neill, Carex Consulting Group; and Brian Wiegand |
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TRACK B |
What kind of deals are getting funded (and what is not) in 2023? |
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Many observers predicted COVID-19 would devastate the early stage market. It was the opposite, with Wisconsin charting two record years for early stage deal values. What deals are getting funded, however, in a year dominated by inflation, interest rate hikes, war and supply-chain troubles? We will examine where investors are putting their money as 2023 moves on. |
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Moderator: Katie Schmitz, Ziegler |
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Panelists: Maggie Brickerman, gener8tor; John Neis, Venture Investors; and Greg Williamson, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. |
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TRACK C |
Wisconsin’s best shot at federal tech dollars: How to engage |
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Federal legislation has set in motion a series of “use-inspired” research efforts in various sectors that could drive more innovation and job creation in industry. Join our panel to learn how you might engage with any one of three multi-state projects that are competing for dollars in areas as diverse as water and energy, personalized medicine and bio-health technology, and quantum computing. |
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Moderator: Kevin Little, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce |
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Panelists: Dean Amhaus, The Water Council; Gloria Marí Beffa, UW-Madison Dept. of Mathematics; and Aaron Olver, University Research Park; and Adhira Sunkara, WiSys |
3:30 to 3:45 p.m. |
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Networking & coffee break* |
3:45 to 5:30 p.m. |
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Tech Council Investor Networks presentations (session 2) |
3:45 to 4:30 p.m. |
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Networking & coffee break* |
4:30 to 5:15 p.m. |
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Office Hours: Legal essentials for entrepreneurs and startups |
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Hosts: Pat Bergin, Nicole Bulman, Joe Camilli and Angela Rust of von Briesen & Roper |
5:30 to 7 p.m. |
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Reception celebrating Wisconsin’s entrepreneurs |
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sponsored by Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation |
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THURSDAY, NOV. 9 |
8 to 8:45 a.m. |
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Continental breakfast & registration |
8:45 to 10 a.m. |
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Career CFO, early stage advisor Susan Healy keynote speech |
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sponsored by EUA |
10 to 10:10 a.m. |
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Networking & coffee break* |
10:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. |
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Investor Intros |
10:10 to 11:05 a.m. |
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Office Hours: I’m not ready (yet) for angel or venture: What are other sources? |
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Hosts: Patrick Gatterman, UW-Stevens Point Small Business Development Center; Juan Gomez, Madison Development Corp.; and Ben Streckert, Husch Blackwell |
11:10 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. |
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Office Hours: To LLC or to not LLC: How you form your company can matter |
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Hosts: Kaitlyn Acker, Michael Best and Joe Boucher, Neider & Boucher |
12:15 to 12:45 p.m. |
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Buffet Luncheon |
12:45 to 2 p.m. |
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Elevator Pitch Olympics |
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Judges: Greg Barnes, Hyde Park Venture Partners; Nassir Criss, Sixty8 Capital; Jill Enos, TitletownTech; David Kerr, Allos Ventures; and Mike Thorson, Inventure Capital |
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*Networking and coffee breaks are generously sponsored by: |
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ATC, AT&T, Husch Blackwell, University Research Park, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. |