AGENDA
June 5-6, 2024 - Italian Community Center, Milwaukee
| Wednesday, June 5 | |
| 2 to 3 p.m. | Registration |
| 2 to 2:45 p.m. | Investor only meeting |
| 3 to 5:30 p.m. | ‘Diligent (Baker’s) Dozen’ – Top 13 Governor’s Business Plan Contest pitches |
| Sponsored by WE Energies | |
| 5:30 to 7 p.m. | Reception celebrating Wisconsin entrepreneurs Sponsored by WIPFLi |
| Thursday, June 6 | |
| 8 a.m. | Continental breakfast and registration |
| 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. | Founder of cancer-fighting Elephas keynote speech Sponsored by Ideal Builders |
| 9:45 to 10 a.m. | Networking break |
| 10 to 10:50 a.m. | Wisconsin’s technologies to watch: Learn more about the state’s hot industries As the recent Microsoft data center announcement confirmed, our Midwest state isn’t a “one-trick badger” when it comes to industries that employ technology. From water to fusion, and from biotech to manufacturing tech, learn about four sectors that are among those that set Wisconsin apart from others. Moderator: Joe Poeschl, MKE Tech Hub Coalition Panelists: Britt Gottschalk, Geno.me; Nitin Ranjan, Golgix; Oliver Schmitz, Realta Fusion; and Dylan Waldhuetter, Rapid Radicals Technology |
| 10 to 10:50 a.m. | 1+1=3: How founders can work with trusted collaborators Entrepreneurs often have people tugging at them from all directions … but who can help them walk the straightest line to success? Whether public or private, trusted advisers are out there and can be found by those who look. Moderator: Jeff Bannink, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce Panelists: Aymen Azim, Technova Industries; Tom Quinn, Marquette Energy Analytics; and AkkaNeel Talsma, MaternityMetrix |
| 10 to 10:50 a.m. | How we funded our companies: Hear from entrepreneurs on their funding strategies 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: Mark Ehrmann, Quarles & Brady Panelists: Chad Johnson, Tip a ScRxipt; Laura King, Accure; and Serge Romero, Bend Health |
| 10:50 to 11:05 a.m. | Networking break |
| 11:05 a.m. to noon | Happening today and tomorrow: Tech trends worth following You may be tired of hearing the term “AI” tossed about and you may not really know what quantum computing is … but either way, you’ll want to attend this discussion. Learn how generative AI, in particular, will disrupt the business world in the coming year and what quantum can do to change computing and cybersecurity over time. Moderator: Joe Hamann, UW-Milwaukee Connected Systems Institute. Panelists: Balamurugan Balakreshnan, Microsoft; and Kate Timmerman, Chicago Quantum Exchange |
| 11:05 a.m. to noon | Challenges women face as entrepreneurs and investors: Increasing women founders access to funding Many challenges encountered by women entrepreneurs are more subtle than overt. They include struggles to be taken seriously or being able to “own” their accomplishments without coming off as bragging. At the end, however, it can boil down to finding investors who understand female-oriented market needs can be different. Our panel will examine ways that women can succeed in a male-dominated field. Moderator: Stephanie Melnick, Melnick & Melnick/She Stands Tall Panelists: Laura Hilty, HeatlhX Ventures; Bre Loughlin, Nurse Disrupted; and Toni Sikes, CODAworx |
| 11:05 a.m. to noon | Marketing in the muddle: How to communicate effectively in the age of media dysfunction Most newspapers are struggling to find the right digital strategy. Television is being supplanted by a myriad of streaming services. Social media is encountering massive public mistrust, not to mention rumbles of government regulation. So, what’s a young company to do? Learn about multiple approaches to telling your story. After all, it’s all about attracting and retaining customers – and positioning your firm for growth. Moderator: Spencer X. Smith, AmpliPhi Panelists: Mindy McCord, Siren Shrub Co.; Kate Rodgers, GE Healthcare; and Jeremy Truxal, Exact Sciences |
| Noon to 1:30 p.m. | Lunch and Governor’s Business Plan Contest awards ceremony |
| Awards sponsored by Madison Development Corp. Awards ceremony sponsored by Business Fitness |
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| 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Wisconsin Innovation Showcase |
| 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. | 21st annual Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” award ceremony honoring Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter, V&J Holding Co. |