Angel investors and venture capitalists from Wisconsin, the Midwest and beyond will talk about how they view early stage investing – and what entrepreneurs need to know to get funding – at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, to be held June 5-6 at Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel.
Register here.
Among the 18 panel discussion during the conference are specific conversations involving early stage investors – what they are looking for in a deal, how to present to them and what to look for in a term sheet. Many of the investor panelists are attending the regional meeting of the Angel Capital Association, which is concurrent in the Entrepreneurs’ Conference. Examples of investor-led panels include:
“The 30,000-foot view: Perspectives from the region’s angel investors” – Moderated by Zach Brandon of the Tech Council’s Wisconsin Angel Network, panelists are Tim Keane of the Golden Angels in Milwaukee; Jeff Carter of the Hyde Park Angels in Chicago; and David Russick of the Gopher Angels in the Twin Cities.
“Presenting to investors: What angels and venture capitalists need to hear” – Moderated by Melissa Turczyn of Michael, Best & Friedrich, panelists are Jim Pavlik of Baird Venture Partners; and Ken Johnson of Kegonsa Capital Fund.
Tracks within the conference are built around three stages that matter to all startup companies – launch, grow and succeed.
The Launch Track will include these panels: Resources for entrepreneurs: How to find the help you need; Business accelerators: Passing fad or investment fancy?; Let’s get bizzy: How to work with BizStarts Milwaukee; Beg/Borrow/Bootstrap: Lessons from entrepreneurs; Cool college start-ups: How ’treps are thriving on and off campus; and How to compete for Small Business Innovation Research grants.
The Grow Track will include: Lean startups: Innovating at max efficiency; Intellectual property for ’treps: What you need to know about the new patent law; Killer mistakes: How to avoid (or learn from) them; The China Syndrome: Doing business with 1.3 billion customers; From a trickle to stream: Water tech startups in Wisconsin; and Presenting to investors: What angels and venture capitalists need to hear.
The Succeed Track will include: State tax credits: Making them work for your business; Coming to terms with your term sheet; Building partnerships with leading Wisconsin companies; How to build a board of directors that works for you; How to manage your company to a successful exit; and The 30,000-foot view: Perspectives from the region’s angel investors.
Additional conference highlights include:
- Chances to mingle with angel investors from across the Midwest, who will attend a meeting of the Angel Capital Association during the conference;
- Nationally known speakers, including Julie Wainwright of The RealReal.com; Bob Dorf, co-author of the “Startup Owner’s Manual” and a leader in the lean startup movement; and Dave Berkus, a veteran investor and entrepreneur who is the past chairman of California’s Tech Coast Angels.
- The Top 12: Finalists in the Governor’s Business Plan Contest square off;
- The Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” Award, with the 2012 winner to be announced before the conference;
- Plenty of chances to network over food and refreshments!
The Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference is produced by the Tech Council, the independent, non-profit science and technology advisers to the governor and the Legislature. It serves as a catalyst for the growth of Wisconsin’s tech-based and entrepreneurial economy.
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