The producers of the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium are looking for cutting-edge companies from Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest to present to investors at the Nov. 2-3 conference at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.
The annual conference gives selected companies the opportunity to make presentations and meet with investors. For many firms, participation in the conference has been a key factor for significant business growth. For more information and to register for the conference, visit www.wisearlystage.com
Company applications are requested by 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011.
Like the 2010 conference, this year’s conference is open to early stage companies representing an array of industries: biotechnology, biofuels and products, “cleantech,” advanced manufacturing, information technology, nanotechnology and business services. There are two separate presentation levels at the Early Stage Symposium: the Wisconsin Angel Network Investors’ Track and the Elevator Pitch Olympics.
Companies selected for the WAN track will have many opportunities to interest investors: networking receptions; a seven-minute presentation, an executive summary published in the investor-only program, and an exhibit area where investors may speak directly to presenting companies. Investors representing millions of dollars in investment capital attend this event.
Companies selected for the Elevator Pitch Olympics, a crowd favorite, will have the opportunity to give a 90-second pitch to a panel of six to eight investors and receive immediate feedback. 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.
- About 20 early stage companies seeking capital will be selected to make seven-minute presentations to investors in the Wisconsin Angel Network track. These company presentations will take place the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 2.
- About 15 companies will be selected for the Elevator Pitch Olympics. In past years, these have been companies seeking a smaller investment round or planning to do so within the next year. All presenters will make 90-second pitches to a panel of investors. The Elevator Pitch Olympics will take place Thursday, Nov. 3.
“This is an excellent opportunity for early stage companies to pitch to investors from Wisconsin and across the Midwest,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. “Companies selected will have a chance to rehearse their presentations before going live during the conference.”
Companies pay no fee to apply or to present. However, companies must first register to attend the full conference in order to be considered by our steering committee for a presentation slot. Register by visiting www.wisearlystage.com.
Other elements of the annual conference include nationally known speakers, an investors’ seminar hosted by the Wisconsin Angel Network, more than a dozen panel discussions, a “First Look” forum for university-based discoveries, receptions, luncheons and other networking events.
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