ESS Application

The application process for the 2025 Early Stage Symposium is now closed.

Below you will find the application for the 2025 Early Stage Symposium. This one-page executive summary will be used to select presenters for our Tech Council Investor Networks (TCIN) track and the Elevator Pitch Olympics (EPO) track. In addition, these applications will be shared with all investors attending the conference. Investors participating in the Investor Intros will select companies for one-on-one meetings.

You are able to “Save as Draft” at the bottom of the application. Once you click “Submit Application” you cannot undo this and must reach out to the Tech Council for any edits. The deadline to apply is 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12. By filling out a completed application and registering to attend the conference, your company application will be shared with all investors in attendance, whether you have been selected for pitches or not. 

‘Open Mic’ Quick Pitches – Wednesday, Nov. 5:
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. This is a great opportunity for early founders.

Tech Council Investor Networks Track – Wednesday, Nov. 5:
These five-minute presentations will feature companies from the Midwest representing an array of industries, such as advanced manufacturing, agriculture, biotechnology, health care, information technology, medical devices and mobile application sectors. Those companies are selected by the conference steering committee and will be notified by end of day on Oct. 10.

Investor Intros – Thursday, Nov. 6:
Companies selected for the popular Investor Intros will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with investors from Wisconsin and beyond. To foster this type of communication, the Investor Intros will feature pre-scheduled, virtual strategic meetings between investors and emerging companies. This format will resemble a “speed dating” exercise, allowing both parties to learn more about each other and explore potential relationships.

Elevator Pitch Olympics – Thursday, Nov. 6:
Companies or entrepreneurs selected for the Elevator Pitch Olympics will give a 90-second pitch in front of conference attendees and a panel of four to five investors. The investors will score the presenter on a scale of 1 to 5, focusing on whether the pitch was compelling enough to arrange a follow-up meeting, and will offer immediate feedback.

At least one applicant must register in advance for the conference at a discounted rate of $79. Please note: you are NOT paying to pitch, you’re paying to attend the full conference at a discounted rate with the added bonus of pitching and/or meeting with investors.

Your discounted registration fee includes four meals, a networking reception, a chance to pitch and meet with investors and more.

Questions? Contact Joe Kremer at joe@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.

NOTE: Please keep your narrative sections at the requested 700 CHARACTERS…
Please do NOT use carriage return (paragraph breaks) in descriptions