Gregory Milman, who has led major programs within the National Institutes of Health and is recognized as an expert on federal Small Business Innovation Research grants, will speak Nov. 13 during the first day of the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium in Madison.

Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and its partners, the annual conference gives selected companies the opportunity to make presentations and meet with investors. For more information and to register for the conference, go to http://www.wisearlystage.com/

Milman recently retired as head of the $100-million small business program within the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, where he remains a contractor. Milman helps both academic investigators and small businesses obtain federal funding. He is acclaimed for his advice on NIH grant preparation and product development.

Milman’s background includes starting a biotechnology company as well as research work as a faculty member at the University of California-Berkeley, Johnson Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. He headed the NIH’s $70-million basic research program for AIDS for 11 years, organized the NIH Bioengineering Consortium and served as a NIH adviser to the White House Office of Science Policy.

“There aren’t many people in the country who know more about federal research grants to small businesses than Greg Milman,” said Tom Still, president of the Tech Council. “Now that Congress has reauthorized SBIR and its related programs, companies here will want to know what happens next. Dr. Milman will provide a superb roadmap.”

Milman will speak during a luncheon that honors recent recipients of SBIR grants in Wisconsin. These merit-based awards help tech-based companies turn their ideas into commercial products and create jobs.

Milman joins Larry Landweber, who was recently inducted as one of the charter members of the Internet Society’s Hall of Fame, as a featured speaker at the conference. Read more on Landweber’s role and accomplishments at www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/. Other highlights of the Nov. 13-14 conference include:

— Presentations by 26 companies selected for the Wisconsin Angel Network investors’ track. Investors from across Wisconsin and beyond will attend.
— The annual Elevator Pitch Olympics, which provide 90-second presentation opportunities for 15 or more additional companies. A panel of investors will judge the contest.
— More than a dozen panel discussions or plenary sessions featuring leading entrepreneurs, investors and others tied to the tech sector.
— The annual “First Look” forum featuring selected campus-based technologies.
— A first-night reception, two luncheons, two breakfasts and other networking opportunities, including an investors-only dinner.

To learn more or to register, visit http://www.wisearlystage.com/