The 2019 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference was held June 4-5 at the Venue42 at Milwaukee Brewing Co. in Milwaukee. Over 400 people attended the annual conference with conference co-chairs Tina Chang of SysLogic and Elmer Moore of Scale Up Milwaukee. The #WiTreps conference featured homegrown Wisconsin keynote speakers: “super-angel” investor Jeff Rusinow and tech designer John Zeratsky.

The 2019 Ken Hendricks Memorial Seize the Day Award went to Sue Marks, Cielo. We had a guest appearance by Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, who was on hand to help present the #GovsBizPlan awards on June 5. Twelve thought-provoking, insightful and educational panels highlighted important entrepreneurial topics over both days with many successful entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts lending their wisdom. We featured a Diversity + Inclusion plenary panel moderated by Gretchen Jameson featuring Gina Pagan, Northwestern Mutual; Dana Guthrie, Alchemy Angel Investors; Elmer Moore, Scale Up Milwaukee; Ben Juarez, Cream City Coders; Amanda Daering, Newance and Tim Keane, Golden Angels Investors. Opening June 6 was a keynote by tech designer and author John Zeratsky discussing his Design Sprint method.

Congratulations to GrowthChart Records team of Patricia Wooldridge and Brent Brenner, for their grand prize win in the 2019 Governor’s Business Plan Contest. Seedlinked founder Dylan Bruce won the “2019 Bright New Idea” award. Congratulations to all of the Diligent Baker’s Dozen who presented their companies!

A team from Brookfield Academy: Pablo Dale, Christian Hong and Andy Liu of “unRaveled” won the Wisconsin YES! youth competition.

Full agenda is linked here for reference, including all of the panelists and moderators.
Images by Ben Brewer Photography: online gallery here: free to view – multiple formats available for print purchase. 

We can’t wait to see you for #ESSWI 2019 this fall: Mark your calendars now for November 6-7, 2019 at the Monona Terrace in Madison.

2019 News on the Entrepreneurs’ Conference:
Catch up on all things #WiTreps on Twitter! Click here
Read feature articles on 2019 Governor’s Business Plan Contest companies here


Tech Council Press Releases (newest on top):

Brookfield Academy students win annual ‘Wisconsin YES!’ youth business plan contest
Tech platform that cuts record-keeping time in childcare wins 2019 Business Plan Contest
Need excuse to attend Entrepreneurs’ Conference? Here are top 10 reasons to be there June 4-5
‘Diligent (Baker’s) Dozen’ will present live June 4 at Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference
Milwaukee tech leaders Chang, Moore co-chair June 4-5 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference
Finalists to share wide range of prizes, cash in 2019 Governor’s Business Plan Contest
‘Succeed’ panels focus on resources June 4-5 at Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference
Grow’ panels focus on startups June 4-5 at Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference
‘Launch’ panels focus on startups June 4-5 at Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference
‘Diversity’ panel to focus on what works June 4 at Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference
Cielo’s Sue Marks to receive ‘Seize the Day’ award June 4 at Entrepreneurs’ Conference
2019 Entrepreneurs’ Conference to Milwaukee; Speakers Rusinow, Zeratsky to lead line-up
Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Mayor, welcomes the June 4-5 Entrepreneurs’ Conference to Milwaukee in 2019

Press Coverage (newest on top): 

Wisconsin School of Business: Companies with WSB Ties Take Top Prizes in 2019 Governor’s Business Plan Contest
PRNewswire: Madison Startup Otologic Technologies wins Life Sciences category in the 2019 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest
WUWM: Raising big money is a common problem for Midwest entrepreneurs
Milwaukee Business Journal: Business community packs 2019 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference in Milwaukee: Slideshow
Madison.com: Stoughton startup GrowthChart wins top prize in Governor’s Business Plan Contest
WisBusiness: Entrepreneurs approaching similar challenges from varying perspectives
WisBusiness: Landing a deal with a corporate venture capital fund can be a game-changer for startups, but these early-stage companies are getting more than just a big check.
WisBusiness: Skip & Co. Maritime navigates online training for mariners
BizTimes Milwaukee: TitletownTech opening this week
Milwaukee Business Journal: Investors can see higher returns in I-94 corridor, tech conference panelists say
BizTimes Milwaukee: Milwaukee angel investor Jeff Rusinow details his returns
WisBusiness: Startup scene in Milwaukee gaining diversity
InsideWis: Milwaukee entrepreneurship not like Madison scene, nor should it be
BizTimes MilwaukeeWisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference returns to Milwaukee
WisBusiness: This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: The Podcast” features Elmer Moore Jr., the executive director of Scale Up Milwaukee.
WisBusiness: Blexx Technology seeking to improve hypodermic needle sterilization and disposal
InsideWis: Business plan contest finalists reflect a more diverse entrepreneurial Wisconsin
BizTimes Milwakee: Finalists selected for Governor’s Business Plan Contest
Milwaukee Business Journal: Shorewood startup among companies selected to pitch at 2019 Governor’s Business Plan Contest