MILWAUKEE – Two serial entrepreneurs and a veteran investor who now advises angel capitalists as well as major tech transfer centers will speak during the 2010 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference in Milwaukee.
Eric Apfelbach of ZBB Energy, Sue Marks of Pinstripe Inc. and Robert Okabe of RPX Group will speak during the eighth annual Entrepreneurs’ Conference, which will be held at The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., in downtown Milwaukee.
Previously announced was keynote speaker Dave Berkus, past chairman of California’s Tech Coast Angels and one of the nation’s most prolific angel investors, who will also host a conference workshop. He will speak 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 9.
To see the full conference agenda and to register, visit: http://www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/events/ent_conf/
Eric Apfelbach is chief executive officer of ZBB Energy Corp. in Menomonee Falls. He has been a principal in many other start-up companies, including Virent Energy Systems Inc., where he led the biofuels company through multiple financings and secured its first customers, and Alfalight Inc., a high-power diode laser company that grew sharply in just two years. Companies led by Apfelbach have raised more than $100 million in private equity, grants and other rounds of financing over time. He will speak 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 8.
Sue Marks is founder and CEO of Brookfield-based Pinstripe Inc., a privately‐held, venture‐backed human resources and recruitment process outsourcing firm. She is widely recognized as a key founder of recruitment process outsourcing and a pioneer in the RPO industry. She has helped clients to become recruiting powerhouses, upgrading their talent and increasing their success in the market, regardless of economic times. Marks previously co-founded companies such as ProStaff and HRfirst, both of which were acquired by larger firms. She will speak 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 8.
Robert Okabe is a managing director of RPX Group, where he leads the firm’s efforts to assist universities, research institutions and corporations in creating startups from their innovative technologies. RPX Group’s clients include the universities of Chicago, Illinois and Nebraska; Argonne National Lab; venture capital firms and S&P 500 companies. A pioneer in the Chicago angel investor community, Okabe is a lead instructor in the Kauffman Foundation’s Power of Angel seminar series a director of the Angel Capital Education Foundation. He will speak 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 8.
“We’re thrilled to have speakers such as Eric Apfelbach, Sue Marks and Bob Okabe at the Entrepreneurs’ Conference,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, which is producing the event. “Their experience and their ability to communicate what they’ve learned about successful start-ups will benefit everyone.”
The Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference is produced by the Wisconsin Technology 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.
Other conference highlights include:
n The Top 12: Finalists in the Governor’s Business Plan Contest square off
n Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” Award
n Hands-on panel discussions tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs
n Resource center for one-on-one tips on grants, research partners and more
n Plenty of chances to network over food and refreshments!
Other speakers and panelists will be announced in the weeks leading up to the conference.
Register or learn more by visiting www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/events/ent_conf.
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