Need one excuse to attend ‘Treps Conference? Here are 10 good reasons to be there June 1-2

Hundreds of people are set to attend the 2022 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference in Milwaukee. Here are 10 reasons to join them Wednesday and Thursday for one of the Midwest’s premier events for entrepreneurs.

Register in-person on Wednesday and Thursday at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, which is within sight of the Summerfest grounds. Plenty of free parking on site! Why attend?

You’ll hear from topical speakers: Milwaukee native Greg Piefer will talk Thursday about the progress at Janesville’s SHINE Technologies, which raised more than $360 million from investors in the last three years alone for its revolutionary, fusion-based technologies. Also, you’ll hear Thursday from Cory Nettles, winner of the Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” award. He is the founder of Generation Growth Capital, which is based in Milwaukee.
You’ll watch the “Diligent (Baker’s) Dozen” finalists in the 19th annual Governor’s Business Plan Contest sweat it out: The pressure is on! Our judges will decide who takes home the top prizes in the 2022 BPC after 13 super-finalists give short pitches between 3 and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. We’ll announce the winners Thursday afternoon.
You’ll be a part of celebrating Milwaukee’s renaissance: With its lakefront development and projects such as the Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee has changed its skyline –and its attitude about startups. Several panel discussions at the conference will feature how young companies and investors are remaking the Cream City’s business landscape.
People talk a lot about diversity, equity and inclusion, but can you picture it? We’ll see a presentation from cartographer Matt Kures of the UW-Extension, which will use maps and other graphics to describe the status quo for entrepreneurs across Wisconsin. That’s also Thursday.

You’ll learn from successful entrepreneurs: The panels will include the likes of Phil Fonfara, Blue Line Battery; Kwadwo Owusu-Ofori, Twi Pods; Ashley Quinto Powell; Pat McQuillan, Central Standard Craft Distillery; Tom Quinn, Marquette Energy Analytics; Raymond Seaver, zizzl; Chris Widmayer, Penrod Software; Daniel Cruz, washbnb; Sunit Mohindroo, Citylitics; Forest Richter, Fresh Coast Labs; Rebecca Cooke, Red Letter Grant; and Bre Loughlin, Nurse Disrupted.

You might bump into a seasoned investor: Investors who will take part in panel discussions include: Daniel Sem, CU Ventures; John Zeratsky, Character VC; Tim Keane, Golden Angels Investors; Carrie Thome, NVNG Investment Advisors; Karen Plunkett, Milwaukee Venture Partners; and Jenni Le, Venture Investors. Many others will attend and take part in investor-focused meetings.
You can tour the Wisconsin Innovation Showcase in our exhibit areas: About two-dozen companies will be featured in an exhibit space that serves as a crossroads between major program venues. A dedicated networking session will also take place in this space following the lunch on Thursday. Grab a coffee, a cookie – and make some connections!

Discounts are available for military veterans and students. We are offering a $60 rate for returning U.S. military veterans who would like to learn more about starting and running a business. Students get the $60 rate, too.
You won’t leave hungry: Breakfast, lunch, snacks and a reception are included in your registration fee. It’s hard to go wrong on that alone!
You’ll be a part of a major networking event: Whether it’s the luncheon, the reception, the panels or lobby conversations, you’ll meet hundreds of people who are building Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial economy. Join them!