AGENDA
June 3, 2021 - VIRTUAL
Wednesday, June 2
| 10 a.m. to noon | BPC ‘Diligent Dozen’ virtual pitches via Zoom |
Thursday, June 3
| 8 to 8:45 a.m. | Conference opens, networking and exhibit booth visits |
| 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. | Welcome and keynote by Wes Schroll, founder of Fetch Rewards Sponsored by RSM |
| 9:45 to 10 a.m. | Networking and exhibit booth visits |
| 10 to 10:45 a.m. | LAUNCH: Getting back on the horse: Post-pandemic resources for entrepreneurs Wisconsin’s support system for entrepreneurs and young companies offers a rich blend of people and organizations with the right tools and expertise. Learn about statewide and regional resources that can help young companies get started, even – or especially – in challenging times. Moderated by: Nick Myers, RedFox AI Panelists: Elaine Coughlin, CoLab; Vincent Rice, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.; Michelle Somes-Booher, UW-Madison Small Business Development Corp. |
| 10 to 10:45 a.m. | LAUNCH: Tech talent wanted: Attracting and developing the skills to fuel your growth 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 their own strategies that are right for the stage and size. Moderated by: Kathy Henrich, MKE Tech Hub Coalition Panelists: Erica Conway, Talimer; Tán Ho, Fiveable; Matt McCoy, Lanex |
| 10:45 to 11 a.m. | Networking and exhibit booth visits |
| 11 to 11:45 a.m. | GROW: The Badger Fund of Funds: How it’s investing in young companies The Badger Fund of Funds was Wisconsin’s first step into a public-private fund of funds, and it has been an impressive leap for many young companies. Hear about Badger’s recipient funds, their portfolio companies and how to get in touch with the investment managers … and what they want to hear from you. Moderated by: Jessica Silvaggi, UWM Research Foundation Panelists: Dan Brooks, Sun Mountain Capital; Jonathon Horne, Idea Fund of La Crosse; Sam Rikkers, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. |
| 11 to 11:45 a.m. | GROW: A virtual tour: Regional growth strategies around Wisconsin The last year or so has meant less physical travel for many of us … but life goes on across Wisconsin’s economic regions, seen or unseen We’ll take a virtual tour of three regions and see their progress through the eyes of economic development experts who are on the ground. Best practices? They’ve got ’em. Moderated by: John McDonald, Godfrey & Kahn Panelists: Jason Fields, Madison Region Economic Partnership; Julie Huls, Waymaker Group; Steve Jahn, Momentum West |
| 11:45 a.m. to noon | Networking and exhibit booth visits |
| Noon to 12:30 p.m. | Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” award presentation: Don Zietlow, Kwik Trip |
| 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. | Lunch break, networking and exhibit booth visits |
| 1:15 to 2 p.m. | SUCCEED: Understanding NFTs and cryptocurrency: A primer Non-fungible tokens and cryto-currency are part of the news daily, but what can those trends mean to entrepreneurs and young companies? The promise and pitfalls of both will be examined by our expert panelists. Moderated by: Nathan Hammons, Marquette Law Panelists: Garett Laugavitz, CrowdFounder; Alec Shaw, Sperax; Justin Webb, Godfrey & Kahn |
| 1:15 to 2 p.m. | SUCCEED: Sales in the ‘new normal’: How do you get to your first $100k in sales? Young companies often focus on raising investment dollars from friends, family and funds, but the goal at the end of the day is selling goods and services that drive company growth – and investor returns – over time. Hear from young companies that have made sales a priority. Moderated by: Jonathon Horne, Idea Fund of La Crosse Panelists: Kyle LaFond, American Provenance; Jim O’Brien, Agrograph; Jason Weaver, AirDeck |
| 2 to 2:15 p.m. | Networking and exhibit booth visits |
| 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. | Fund of funds in other states: Lessons for Wisconsin A state proposal to invest $100-million in a ‘fund of funds’ with a private match means policymakers are interested in learning from models in other states. Hear from panelists who have experience in states such as Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Moderated by: Tom Still, Wisconsin Technology Council Panelists: John Austin, Michigan Economic Center; Brian Birk, Sun Mountain Capital; Aaron Gillum, 50 South Capital; Chris Rizik, Renaissance Venture Capital Fund |
| 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. | Networking and exhibit booth visits |
| 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | BPC and Wisconsin YES! awards: Gov. Tony Evers, invited |