AGENDA

Nov. 8-9, 2023 - Monona Terrace in Madison
    WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8
7:30 to 8:30 a.m.   Continental breakfast & registration
8:30 to 9:30 a.m.   Let the (video) games begin! State industry status, hands-on demos plenary panel
    Moderator: Tom Still, Wisconsin Technology Council
    Panelists: Tim Gerritsen, Lost Boys Interactive; Ben Kvalo, Midwest Games; and Brian Raffel, Raven Software
9:35 to 10:30 a.m.   Panel Tracks
  TRACK A The financial returns investors need: What that means for entrepreneurs
    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.
    Moderator: Mike Thorson, Inventure Capital
    Panelists: Dana Guthrie, Gateway Capital Partners; Laurence Hayward, ATOMS VC; and Tim Keane, Golden Angels Investors
  TRACK B Coming to terms with your term sheet: Lower valuations, down rounds and more harsh realities
    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: Eric Lauria-Banta, Foley & Lardner
    Panelists: Jonathon Horne, Idea Fund of La Crosse; Kurt Roots, Bend Health; and Victoria Thayer, Novii CPA
  TRACK C Reverse pitch: A founder asks investors what went right – and wrong 
    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.
    Moderator: Kevin Barnett, Pyran
    Panelists: Brad Bodden, Wisconsin Investment Partners and Leon Ostrowski, Wisconsin River Business Angels
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.
12:15 to 2 p.m.   Lunch
12:30 to 1:15 p.m.   Economist, ex-White House advisor Michael Knetter speech
1:15 to 2 p.m.   Triple E award ceremony honoring Susie & Matt Younkle
    Triple E award ceremony sponsored by Madison Development Corp.
1:45 to 2:30 p.m.   Investor only meeting
    Sponsored by Insperity
2 to 2:30 p.m.   Innovation Exhibitor Showcase
2:35 to 3:30 p.m.   Panel Tracks
  TRACK A How we funded our companies: Entrepreneurs describe what works for them
    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: Nick Myers, RedFox AI
    Panelists: Mark Gehring, ImageMoverMD; Rachel Neill, Carex Consulting Group; and Brian Wiegand
  TRACK B What kind of deals are getting funded (and what is not) in 2023? 
    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.
    Moderator: Katie Schmitz, Ziegler
    Panelists: Maggie Brickerman, gener8tor; John Neis, Venture Investors; and Greg Williamson, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
  TRACK C Wisconsin’s best shot at federal tech dollars: How to engage
    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.
    Moderator: Kevin Little, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
    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.   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: Legal essentials for entrepreneurs and startups
    Hosts: Pat Bergin, Nicole Bulman, Joe Camilli and Angela Rust of von Briesen & Roper
5:30 to 7 p.m.   Reception celebrating Wisconsin’s entrepreneurs
    sponsored by Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    THURSDAY, NOV. 9
8 to 8:45 a.m.   Continental breakfast & registration
8:45 to 10 a.m.   Career CFO, early stage advisor Susan Healy keynote speech
    sponsored by EUA
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.   Office Hours: I’m not ready (yet) for angel or venture: What are other sources?
    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.   Office Hours: To LLC or to not LLC: How you form your company can matter
    Hosts: Kaitlyn Acker, Michael Best and Joe Boucher, Neider & Boucher
12:15 to 12:45 p.m.   Buffet Luncheon
12:45 to 2 p.m.   Elevator Pitch Olympics
    Judges: Greg Barnes, Hyde Park Venture Partners; Nassir Criss, Sixty8 Capital; Jill Enos, TitletownTech; David Kerr, Allos Ventures; and Mike Thorson, Inventure Capital
     
    *Networking and coffee breaks are generously sponsored by:
    ATC, AT&T, Husch Blackwell, University Research Park, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.