WISCONSIN TECH SUMMIT

March 18, 2024- Lambeau Field in Green Bay

Online registration for the 2024 Tech Summit is now closed.
You are able to come as a walk-in on Monday morning as early as 8:30 a.m. to register onsite. 

 

Emerging companies may apply through Feb. 29 to meet with major firms and explore potential business relationships around technology needs and innovation as part of the 11th annual Wisconsin Tech Summit, which will take place in-person at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field. The day-long event will be held in-person Monday, March 18, 2024. More information, including the online application form, can be found in the tabs on the left. Past emerging companies are encouraged to apply.

There is no set definition as to what constitutes an emerging company. It can be a startup with a few founders and limited revenue or a small business with several dozen employees and solid revenue. What matters most is whether major firms spot partnership potential when reviewing applications.

MISSION
The goal of the Wisconsin Tech Summit is to bring together major firms and emerging companies in a setting that allows them to meet and explore likely business relationships around technology needs and innovation. Major firms will hear from emerging companies with innovative products or services tied to areas such as “big data,” connected devices and data analytics in sectors ranging from health care to information systems, and from power electronics to telecommunications.

Those relationships might include contracting for research and development, becoming part of a larger supply chain, and pursuing investment or acquisition strategies. The summit is based on the assumption that large and small companies travel in different “orbits,” even if they’re in the same business sectors, and rarely collide except by chance.

FORMAT
To foster this type of communication, the Tech Summit features pre-scheduled, 15-minute strategic meetings between major firms and emerging companies. This format resembles a “speed dating” exercise, allowing both parties to learn more about the needs and developments of the other.

Emerging companies meet with the major firms to explore likely business relationships around technology needs and innovation. Applications are screened by the participating major companies ahead of the summit and will be selected for meetings based on the information provided. Applications are also welcome from early stage funds that want to introduce portfolio companies and otherwise connect with major firms.

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS EACH YEAR
–  An opening discussion to talk generally about Tech Summit goals, company needs and emerging markets.
–  Office Hours, which are available to all Tech Summit participants during those times in which they are not scheduled for meetings.

 

 

2023 Tech Summit

2023 Tech Summit – It’s a Wrap!

Our 10th annual Wisconsin Tech Summit was held on Monday, March 20 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, kicked off the event with an overview of the day’s events by discussing do’s and don’ts for strategic meetings and other tips for emerging companies as they engaged with major firms during the day and after. Opening session sponsored by Boldt.

Three sets of ‘Office Hours’ followed, during which Joey Frayne of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. discussed WEDC programs designed to help early-stage businesses succeed; Brian Wiegand offered lessons from a serial entrepreneur; and Ilya Avdeev of the UW-Milwaukee Lubar Entrepreneurship Center and Bonnie Bachman of the UW-Madison College of Engineering detailed how Wisconsin I-Corps programs can help businesses. All Office Hours were sponsored by Faith Technologies.

Following the morning sessions, the keynote session, sponsored by Concordia University Wisconsin, featured Mark Murphy, president and chief executive officer of the Green Bay Packers. He discussed what the state and local economies mean to the Packers, as well as the role of the franchise in the development of TitletownTech and the larger Titletown District. A networking lunch, sponsored by UW-Madison Office of Business Engagement, and exhibitor booth visits followed.

Three sets of ‘Office Hours’ led off the afternoon, during which Keith Davidson of CLA discussed the venture fundraising process and how to prepare; Joe Kremer and Tom Still discussed the early stage investment scene in Wisconsin; and Barb LaMue of NEW North and Elizabeth Thelen of the Whitewater University Innovation Center discussed how businesses can engage with regional resources. All Office Hours were sponsored by Faith Technologies.

The day wrapped up with tours of Lambeau Field and a networking reception for all attendees. About 200 ‘speed dates’ involving major and emerging firms took place throughout the day. Check out the PHOTO GALLERY!

We hope you enjoyed the 2023 Tech Summit and hope to see you at future Tech Council events!

2022 Tech Summit

2022 Wisconsin Tech Summit: It’s a wrap!

Our ninth annual Wisconsin Tech Summit was held on Monday, March 14 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. 220 meetings were held throughout the day between major firms and emerging companies throughout the conference.

Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, kicked off the event with a overview of the day’s events and was joined by conference co-chairs Renee Clair of Johnson Controls and David Vasko of Rockwell Automation who discussed as major firms what they look for in their meetings, how emerging companies should engage with major firms after, etc.

Three sets of ‘Office Hours’ followed, with Joey Frayne of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. discussed their programs designed to help early-stage business succeed; Lance Walter and Tyler Swenson of WBD and Travis LeRoy of Nicolet National Bank discussed unconventional financing for emerging companies; and Tom Still and Joe Kremer of the Wisconsin Technology Council discussed the ins and outs of angel and venture funding.

After a networking lunch, panelists Dr. Corey Cronrath and Jeff Tucker of Marshfield Clinic Health System and Jed Roher of Husch Blackwell discussed health care innovation post-COVID and what companies should know.

Three sets of ‘Office Hours’ followed, with Kris Andrews of the Wisconsin Technology Council and representatives of some of Wisconsin’s House and Senate delegation to discuss how emerging companies can engage with their congressional offices; Raunaq Chamdia and Oscar Garcia of Foxconn discussed high performance computing; and Dean Ian Robertson and Russ Johnson of UW-Madison College of Engineering discussed what they can do for businesses.

The day wrapped up with tours of Lambeau Field and a reception, sponsored by Marshfield Clinic Health System, for all attendees.

2021 Tech Summit

Our first virtual Wisconsin Tech Summit was held on Wednesday, March 17 on a platform which allowed attendees time to network, interact with sponsors, exhibitors and other attendees. About 200 meetings were held throughout the day between major firms and emerging companies throughout the conference.

Former Google Ventures partner Tracie Rotter kicked off March 17 with a keynote speech on how emerging companies can connect their innovation to major firms and how to get noticed.

Four sets of ‘Office Hours’ followed, with Spencer X. Smith of AmpliPhi shared insight on how to prospect and win new business using social media; Didi King of King Quantum Thought discussed how business vision and self-image work together; Joey Frayne of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. discussed their programs designed to help early-stage business succeed; and Jason Fields of Madison Region Economic Partnership and Adam Gabornitz of Northwestern Mutual covered how your network or business benefits from being more inclusive and diverse.

The day wrapped up with a healthcare IT panel featuring Dr. Rajeev Chaudhry of Mayo Clinic, Jeri Koester of Marshfield Clinic and Dr. Asif Naseem of PDS discussing how COVID-19 will continue to change digital health.