Still on the fence about attending “30×10,”
the annual Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium in Madison? Here are 10 reasons to drop in Wednesday and Thursday for
one of the Midwest’s premier events for entrepreneurs.

Register through 12 p.m. Tuesday at www.WisEarlyStage.com. Or register Wednesday and Thursday at Monona Terrace Community and
Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Drive, in downtown Madison. Why should you be
there?

1. You’ll hear some powerful Wisconsin stories: Kevin Conroy and Graham
Lidgard
will describe how Exact Sciences moved from Boston to Wisconsin in
search of success, and the leaders of three of Wisconsin’s top academic
research and development institutions – UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and the
nationally known BloodCenter of Wisconsin – will talk about what’s next for the
“I-Q Corridor” connecting the upper
Midwest. Also, we’ll kick off the event with a “30X10” video and discussion to chart the history and future of the
event.

2. You’ll walk away with a one-of-kind poster: All registrants will receive a full-sized map of Wisconsin’s innovation
assets, produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and sponsored by American
Family Insurance. It’s a guide to more than 250 resources statewide. Our
60-page program manual is also a storehouse of information. Plus, read more
about us on the free wi-fi.

3. You’ll watch new companies make their pitch to investors: Talk about
pressure! Twenty-eight companies were selected by our conference steering
committee to make six-minute presentations Wednesday morning and afternoon.
They range from medical devices to software to ways to improve your batting
swing. On Thursday, another 18 startups will pitch to a panel of investor
judges during the annual “Elevator Pitch Olympics.” It’s a lightning round – 90
seconds per pitch! We’ll also unveil campus-based innovations from Milwaukee
and Madison during our “First Look Forum.”

4. You might bump into a seasoned investor: Investors registered so far
represent groups such as: 4490 Ventures, American Family Ventures, Angels on
the Water, Arthur Ventures, Baird Capital, BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation,
Capital Midwest Fund, Cedar Road Capital, Chicago Tribune Media Group, Chippewa
Valley Angels, Cornerstone Angels, CW Technologies, DaneVest Tech Fund, Faith
Technologies, Golden Angels Investors, Gopher Angels, Great Oaks Venture
Capital, Hyde Park Angels, Inventure Capital, Independence Equity, Kegonsa
Capital Partners, Loop Capital Markets, Madison Development Corp., Marshfield Investment
Partners, Mercury Fund, NEW Capital Fund, Phenomenelle Angels, Plains Angels,
Runzheimer International, Silicon Valley Bank, State of Wisconsin Investment
Board, Stateline Angels, Tribal Ventures, Venture Investors, Venture
Management, WISC Partners, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Wisconsin
Investment Partners, Wisconsin Super Angel Fund, Yahara Angel Network, Ziegler
and leading banks and credit unions. Also present: Representatives of the
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the
Michigan Economic Development Corp.

5. You’ll learn from successful entrepreneurs: The panelist list
includes: Justin Beck, PerBlue Inc.;
Rimas Buinevicius, Rowheels and
Madcelerator; Scott Cooper,
Marketing Engine Group; Brian Ellison,
Death’s Door Spirits; Murray Firestone,
RestoreHealth; Robert Hopton, Idle
Free Systems; Brian Jensen, Fishidy;
Laura King, Elucent Medical; Marsha Lindsay, Lindsay, Stone &
Briggs; Rock Mackie, TomoTherapy; Todd McLees, Pendio Group; Todd Muderlak, Xela Innovations; Andy Nunemaker, Dynamis Corp.; Janet Phillips, Vector Surgical; Andy Shrago, formerly of Prodesse; Toni Sikes, CODAworx; Praveen Sinha, HealthMyne; and Shobhan Thakkar, Tascet.

6. There’s no lack of program choices: The program features 16 panels or
plenary sessions spread over two days, all organized around the themes of
“Raising Money,” “Running Your Company” and “Trends, Terms and Traps.” Consult
our online agenda to learn more.

7. You can visit with experts during our
“Office Hours” segments:
Back by popular demand is “Office Hours,” a
series of six small-group discussions at which entrepreneurs can discuss
specific issues with experts and their peers. Sessions will focus on pursuing
federal Small Business Innovation Research grants, how to position your company
for “non-founder” funding, documents needed for investor meetings, protecting
your intellectual property and how to obtain state Qualified New Business
Venture status. Plus, our social media experts will offer some red-hot advice.

8. You can connect with others via our ConfPlus app: This downloadable mobile app will allow you
to contact other conference attendees, personalize your agenda, rate sessions
in real time and use social media to spread the word. 

9. You won’t leave hungry: Two luncheons, a reception and two breakfasts
are included in your registration fee. It’s hard to go wrong on that alone!

10. You’ll be a part of a major networking event: Whether it’s over
refreshments, during the panel discussions or in lobby conversations, you’ll
meet hundreds of people who are building Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial economy.
Join them!

Register or learn more by visiting www.wisearlystage.com.