MADISON – Zach Halmstad, the co-founder
of JAMF
Software
, will share the story of the Eau
Claire company’s growth Thursday, Nov. 5,
the second day of the 2015 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium at Madison’s Monona Terrace Convention Center. The session
will be sponsored by DeWitt Ross & Stevens.

The annual symposium is designed
to unlock Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial potential by providing the right
combination of ideas, innovation, intellectual property and investment – as
well as hands-on instruction and advice targeted to early stage companies ready
to make the leap.

More than 40 companies will have
an opportunity to
make presentations
 and meet with investors,
along with other entrepreneurs and business leaders. Learn more and register at
www.wisearlystage.com. “Early bird” registration is open through Oct.
16. Hotel rooms are available at a discounted group rate
through Oct. 13.

Halmstad is an Eau Claire native and
a UW-Eau Claire graduate. He studied as a pianist and earned a degree in
music, but it was his work in the campus information technology department that
fueled his interest in streamlining IT platforms. The tools he created to
efficiently set up and maintain campus computers later became the foundation to
launch JAMF Software, which created the “Casper Suite” to manage Apple devices
such as iPhones, iPads and Macs.

Thirteen years later the company
has seven offices, more than 450 employees and more than 5,500 customers
worldwide. Forbes reported in late 2014 the company earned more than $37
million in revenues. Halmstad recently started Pablo Properties, which has
built a permanent home for JAMF Software and is involved in two hotel
renovations in Eau Claire’s downtown.

Halmstad and JAMF co-CEO
Chip Pearson were named the 2014 Ernst & Young “Entrepreneurs of the Year”
for the Upper Midwest.

“The story of JAMF Software is one of
innovation, hard work, bootstrapping and, of course, a bit of fun in the
process,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. “Along
with Pearson, Halmstad took the JAMF idea on the road and focused early on
sales … winning a lot of customers along the way. When people told Halmstad he
couldn’t build a company like this in Eau Claire, he proved them wrong.”

Other speakers and highlights will be
announced in coming weeks. The conference will also feature:

–  Presentations by more than two dozen companies selected for the Wisconsin
Angel Network investors’ track. Investors from across Wisconsin and beyond will
attend. 

– 
The 11th annual Elevator Pitch Olympics,
which will provide 90-second presentation opportunities for additional
companies. A panel of experienced investors will judge the pitches and
offer feedback.

–  A dozen panel discussions or seminars featuring leading entrepreneurs,
investors and others tied to the tech sector.

–  “Office Hours,” offering the opportunity to meet with subject experts
on a variety of topics in small discussion groups or one-on-one.

–  SBIR/STTR awards luncheon to recognize grant recipients from the past
year.

–  The 2nd annual “Excellence in Entrepreneurial Education”
award presentation.

–  The “First Look” forum featuring selected campus-based technologies.

–  Exhibit hall showcasing more than 40 Wisconsin companies.

–  A first-night reception, two luncheons, two breakfasts and other
networking opportunities, including an investors-only dinner.

The Tech Council produces the
conference. Sponsors so far include: Aberdean; American Transmission Co.;
AT&T; Ascendancy Advisors; Aurora Health Care; Baird Capital; Baker Tilly;
BDO; BloodCenter of Wisconsin; BMO Harris; Boardman & Clark; Carroll
University; City of Fitchburg; Concordia University; Dedicated Computing;
DeWitt Ross & Stevens; Eppstein Uhen Architects; Findorff; Functional
Biosciences; Godfrey & Kahn; HealthX Ventures; HP Enterprise Services; Madison
Gas & Electric; Makin’ HEY Communications; Marquette University; Marshfield
Clinic Applied Sciences; Michael Best & Friedrich; Midwest Prototyping;
MIOsoft; Morgridge Institute for Research; Murphy Desmond; Neider &
Boucher; Nelson Schmidt; Quarles & Brady; RDC National Inc.; Red Arrow
Production; Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren; Safenet Consulting; Smith &
Gesteland; State of Wisconsin Investment Board; University Research Park;
UW-Oshkosh Business Success Center; UW-Milwaukee Research Foundation; UW-Madison
Office of Corporate Relations; Venture Investors; Whitewater University
Technology Park; Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek; Wisconsin Health and Educational
Facilities Authority; Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation; and Wisconsin
Economic Development Corp.

Learn more
at www.wisearlystage.com.