Partners in UW–Madison’s new Innovate Network are collaborating to put on a series of events and programming during Startup Wisconsin Week, November 11 -17, 2019. The inaugural campus event aims to celebrate and illuminate entrepreneurial activities and resources across the UW–Madison campus, and to provide opportunities for faculty, staff, and student innovators to network and learn.
Eight different partners in UW-Madison’s new Innovate Network (innovate.wisc.edu) are leading over a dozen events during UW-Madison Startup Week, and more events are still being added. Staff at UW-Madison’s Discovery to Product program are coordinating the campus-wide effort through the newly created Innovate Network initiative.
“UW-Madison has a passion for problem solving and a long history of transforming groundbreaking research discoveries into innovative products and services that change the world. We created the Innovate Network as a framework to connect all of the various people, organizations, and programs on campus that support those activities,” says D2P Director Andy Richards. “One of the key goals of the Innovate Network is collaboration. We are all working very closely together to foster and support a stronger culture of entrepreneurship on campus. When we celebrate and support faculty, staff, and student entrepreneurs, we’re really supporting the Wisconsin Idea in action.”
UW–Madison Startup Week is part of Startup Wisconsin, an effort founded in 2017 focused on advancing and developing Wisconsin’s tech and startup ecosystems through unique programming, collaborative partnerships, and networking. Several cities around the state will simultaneously participate in Startup Wisconsin Week in November.
“We’re pleased to see UW–Madison joining the Startup Wisconsin network in 2019,” said Matt Cordio, co-founder and president of Startup Wisconsin. “Innovation and technology are vital to growing Wisconsin’s economy and creating new jobs, and the programming occurring during Startup Wisconsin Week this year will continue to develop and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wisconsin and move the state’s economy forward.”
Key events for UW–Madison Startup Week include:
- Energy, Waste, and the Circular Economy | Nov. 11 (Monday) 4:30pm @ the Wisconsin Energy Institute
The idea that human consumption could have a neutral impact on our world is an appealing concept – but how can we make that ideal a reality? A panel of experts from the Wisconsin Energy Institute will discuss the circular economy, the science of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” and ways our production processes could thrive as renewable enterprises. - Wisconsin as an Innovation Hub | Nov. 12 (Tuesday) 4:00pm @ the H.F. DeLuca Forum in the Discovery Building
How can we foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wisconsin? Aaron Kennedy, the founder of Noodles & Company, shares lessons learned from his decades of helping leaders and entrepreneurs create a better world. Then, hear from local experts Aaron Olver, managing director of University Research Park; Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward; and Idella Yamben, business development consultant at the Center for Technology Commercialization. - Starting a Startup | Nov. 13 (Wednesday) 6:30pm @ Engineering Hall
Transcend UW is a student organization focused on connecting innovators across disciplines. Come join the Transcend team to hear from a local Madison entrepreneur about what it takes to get a startup running and stay for a Q+A session and networking! - 100 Hour Challenge | Nov. 14-17 (Thurs – Sun) @ the Makerspace
Students are invited to create and pitch a valuable, innovative or socially beneficial product or service using materials from UW SWAP (Surplus with a Purpose). Think like an entrepreneur and keep in mind the three elements of entrepreneurship: having an idea, taking action and creating value.
Several event partners are holding office hours during the week of events to give aspiring entrepreneurs free access to expert guidance, including Discovery to Product, the Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic, and the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at the UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. To view the full listing of UW–Madison Startup Week events and programming visit:
https://innovate.wisc.edu/uw-madison-startup-week/ or
https://startupwi.org/events?community_id=39
Activities during UW–Madison Startup Week 2019 are being hosted by Discovery to Product, the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at the School of Medicine and Public Health, the Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic, Transcend UW, the Startup Learning Community, the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship, the Wisconsin Energy Institute, and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
ABOUT UW–MADISON STARTUP WEEK
UW–Madison Startup Week takes place on November 11 – 17, 2019, and is designed to celebrate and illuminate entrepreneurial activities and resources across the UW–Madison campus, and to provide learning and networking opportunities for faculty, staff, and student innovators. The week’s programming showcases emerging UW–Madison companies, technologies, and ideas while highlighting the resources and organizations available to foster support for innovators on their journey. The week will feature 13+ events hosted by eight partner organizations in the university’s Innovate Network, and new events are still being added. To browse all the events and programming occurring during UW–Madison Startup Week visit: https://innovate.wisc.edu/uw-madison-startup-week/ or
https://startupwi.org/events?community_id=39
ABOUT STARTUP WISCONSIN
Startup Wisconsin is committed to advancing and developing Wisconsin’s tech and startup ecosystems through unique programming, collaborative partnerships, and networking. Driven by entrepreneurs and leaders throughout Wisconsin who are passionate about making a difference, and creating a positive and lasting impact that will advance the state’s economy forward. Startup Wisconsin Week is supported by Advocate Aurora Health, Husch Blackwell, Northwestern Mutual and Royal Credit Union. To learn more about Startup Wisconsin visit: http://startupwi.org
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