MADISON – Investors from Wisconsin, the Midwest and beyond will share their expertise with entrepreneurs and others at the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, to be held Nov. 10-11 at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.
Angel and venture capitalists will take part in eight panel discussions during the two-day conference, which will also feature the sixth annual “Elevator Pitch Olympics” for companies in a seed financing stage and the fourth annual Wisconsin Angel Network Early Stage presentation track for companies seeking angel investments and beyond.
Other investor-oriented tracks include the annual “First Look Forum” for campus-based discoveries and the I-Q Corridor Investors’ Forum, an educational event for accredited investors only. Panel discussions involving investors include:
“Perspectives from investors: What’s hot and what’s not?” Find out from veteran investors what trends and technologies are driving their decisions – and which are yesterday’s news. Play along as investors score what’s hot and what’s not.
“Intellectual property: An investor’s perspective” Investors look at multiple factors in deals, from technology to the team, and intellectual property is a big part of the mix. This panel will examine how a company’s IP strategy can entice investors – or force them to think twice. Learn valuable information and hear war stories from our panel of experts.
“A tank half-full or half-empty? Funding prospects for energy start-ups” There’s an alphabet soup of government grants, loans and stimulus funding available for energy projects, from “smart grid” technology to storage to renewable energy. But what happens next? How do companies move from grants to investors to products? Learn from a panel of experts about steps to take on behalf of your company.
“Coming to terms with your term sheet” For many entrepreneurs, a private equity term sheet is a mysterious document to be approached with great caution. Demystify the process by peeking behind the scenes of a “mock” term-sheet negotiation, with role-playing by an experienced entrepreneur and veteran investors.
“Video gaming software: Big kids, big business” Gaming software is a growing business in Wisconsin. Learn about emerging companies, investment opportunities and why this hot industry has found a niche in the chilly upper Midwest.
“Attracting more capital to Wisconsin: Lessons from other states” From Ohio to Kansas, and from Indiana to New Mexico, states are embracing strategies that help build or attract more venture capital. Hear about approaches – public, private and a blend of both – that could work for Wisconsin.
“Heading toward the exit: Keeping your company on track for acquisition or merger” Savvy entrepreneurs know they can make money day-to-day by running a good business, but the much bigger payoff comes when they plan for an exit from the start. Hear some tips on how to keep your eyes on the prize.
“The future of venture capital: Is less really more?” From the heyday of venture capital in the late 1990s to today, the industry has undergone changes that have seen some venture firms abandon early stage investing – while others have rediscovered it. Learn how the venture capital industry continues to adapt.
More than 30 investors are registered for the conference. They represent groups such as Baird Venture Partners, Kegonsa Capital Partners, the Golden Angels Network, Chrysalis Ventures, Triathlon Medical Ventures, Shamrock Partners, Venture Investors, Piper Jaffrey Cleantech Group, DaneVest Tech Fund, Phenomenelle Angels, NEW Capital Fund, Falcon Capital, Calumet Venture Fund, RPX Group, Wisconsin Investment Partners, Sun Mountain Capital, Wells Fargo Advisers, Capital Midwest Fund, Silicon Pastures, Silicon Valley Bank, Baird Capital Partners, Daycholah Capital, Ziegler Wealth Management, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board and individual investors.
Investors will be able to attend 24 company presentations during the Wisconsin Angel Network tracks, and will serve as judges during the Elevator Pitch Olympics.
The conference is produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and its partners and sponsors. Visit www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/events/earlystage to register, review sponsorship opportunities or to learn more.
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