Click to watch Jon Jacques’ ESSWI promo video

With the COVID-19 pandemic crimping most forms of face-to-face business marketing, entrepreneur Jon Jacques will offer his expertise as a social media influencer for clients large and small during the 2020 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium #ESSWI, to be held Nov. 9-11 on a virtual platform.

With more than 1 million followers and 100 million social media views, Jacques has worked with firms such as Disney, Kate Spade, Sony, Starwood, AT&T and Anheuser-Busch to increase revenues. He has been featured by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, BuzzFeed, TechCrunch, Mashable, and more.

Through his online courses and presentations, Jacques has taught more than 20,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners how to leverage social media to bolster their personal brands and businesses.

“Jon Jacques is a captivating speaker and teacher who helps companies of all sizes expand their marketing reach, including emerging firms,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. “Jon will set the stage for company leaders and investors alike by helping them to think strategically about their online marketing.”

The 2020 format for the Early Stage Symposium includes two pitch opportunities – the Tech Council Investor Networks track (five-minute presentations) and the popular Elevator Pitch Olympics – as well as Investor Intros,” which will allow pre-selected companies brief, one-on-one meetings with targeted angel and venture investors. Companies may apply for one, two or all three opportunities to be seen, heard and make a splash! The deadline to apply online has been extended to 5 p.m. Wed., Sept. 30. Click here!

To date, these groups will be participating:4490 VenturesAtleneBaird CapitalBascom VenturesBold Coast CapitalBrightstar WI FoundationCapital InnovatorsChippewa Valley Angel Investment NetworkCMFG VenturesCream City Venture CapitalDundee VCGolden Angels InvestorsGreat North LabsHealthX VenturesHyde Park VenturesIdea Fund of La CrosseInventure CapitalIron ForgeLancaster InvestmentsLewis & Clark VenturesLightbankLightship CapitalM25 CapitalMadison Development CorporationMaSa PartnersMatchstick VenturesMidwest Wealth VenturesN29 CapitalNVNG Investment AdvisorsOshkosh Corp.Plymouth Growth PartnersRock River Capital PartnersSandalphon CapitalSilicon PasturesStateline AngelsTASC VenturesThe Ardent GroupTundra AngelsVenture InvestorsWinnebago Capital PartnersWinnow FundWisconn Valley VenturesWisconsin Economic Development Corp.Wisconsin Investment PartnersWISC Partners and Ziegler.

As a special offer to all applicants, we have partnered with AirDeck to build your presentation deck. AirDeck creates online narrated presentations for sales pitches, online courses and webinars. Its unique features include the ability to quickly customize presentations while adding voice or video narration. We encourage narration of your decks and sharing it with attendees during the conference. AirDeck presentations will be required for TCIN presentations and optional for other applicants. You may also include it as part of your executive summary; as a bonus, you’ll have an extended free trial through the conference.

Instructions for how to apply for all or a mix of the investor presentation opportunities can be found at wisearlystage.com on the ESS applications tab.

General registration is also now open by clicking here!

The conference will also feature:

  • A variety of insightful keynote speakers and targeted panel discussions featuring leading entrepreneurs, investors and others tied to the tech sector making an impact nationwide.
  • The 7th annual “Excellence in Entrepreneurial Education” award presentation
  • Virtual sponsor exhibit hall showcasing more than 40 innovative Wisconsin companies.

The Tech Council produces the conference. Sponsors so far include:AberdeanAdvanced Materials Industrial ConsortiumAlliant EnergyAmerican Family InsuranceAmerican Transmission Co.AT&TAurora Health CareBaker TillyBaird CapitalBaker Tilly, BDOC.D. Smith ConstructionCity of FitchburgConcordia University WisconsinCUNA MutualDane County Regional AirportDedicated ComputingDeWittExact SciencesFindorffFirst Business BankFluno CenterGodfrey & KahnGoogle, HealthX VenturesHusch BlackwellIdea Fund of La CrosseKimberly-Clark, KW2M3 InsuranceMadison Gas & ElectricMakin’ Hey CommunicationsMichael Best, Mobile22, Morgridge InstituteN29 Capital PartnersNeider & BoucherOne City SchoolsOshkosh Corp.Quarles & BradyReinhart Boerner Van DeurenRSM USSignature BankSkywardState of Wisconsin Investment BoardSummit Credit Union, board member Susan Healy, TASCUniversity Research ParkUWM Research FoundationUW-Madison Computer SciencesUW-Madison Office of Business EngagementVenture InvestorsVersitiWisconsin Alumni Research FoundationWisconsin Center for Manufacturing ProductivityWisconsin Economic Development Corp., Whitewater University Technology ParkWIPFLi and Ziegler.