Private dollars invested in Wisconsin start-up companies operating in high-growth sectors such as biotechnology grew substantially in 2007, according to a report recently released by the Tech Council.

A survey conducted by NorthStar Economics and the Wisconsin Angel Network showed $146.9 million in early- stage investments in 2007, up from $102.9 million in 2006. That's a 43 percent increase in dollars invested by individual angel investors, angel networks, early-stage funds and others interested in Wisconsin start-up deals.

Venture capital investments in Wisconsin - those later-stage investments made after early-stage companies begin to grow - also increased in 2007 to $90 million from $73 million in 2006, the survey showed.

The Wisconsin Risk Capital Report is the most comprehensive look at the early-stage market available. In collaboration with Wisconsin's top early-stage investment law firms, the Wisconsin Angel Network and NorthStar Economics collect and analyze data and present the findings in the annual report.

A series of news stories touting Wisconsin's private equity investment efforts have popped up in instate and out-of-state publications. Click below to read more from...

• Inc. Magazine - "Finance: Who Needs Silicon Valley?" - Renuka Rayasam

• Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel - "Angel Financing Takes Shape in State" - Kathleen Gallagher

• Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel - "State Ought To Do More To Promote Venture Capital" - John Torinus

• The State of Wisconsin Investment Board - The Wisconsin Venture Capital Landscape

• Inside Wisconsin - "Wisconsin has made progress in attracting investments, but much work remains" - Tom Still

LAKE SUPERIOR TECH CONFERENCE
Aug. 6-7 in Ashland, Wis. - Register now!
The search for a knowledge- based economy is well underway in northwest Wisconsin and Ashland, where the third annual Lake Superior Technology Conference will be held at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College.

Panel discussions throughout the day will cover eco-industrial development, trends in alternative energy and biofuels, regional economic development models and education as an economic driver.

RESOURCE RENDEZVOUS
Aug. 28 in Marshfield, Wis. - Register now!
Drawing from the successes of last year's first annual event, the 2008 Resource Rendezvous returns this year to bring together researchers, grant writers, business leaders and other professionals. The event will focus on needs of and funding opportunities from federal agencies and how to more effectively utilize Wisconsin services to secure more contracts.

The event's speakers include representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency , In-Q-Tel and the Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center.

Throughout June and July, the Tech Council Board began developing and recrafting tech-based policy improvements to submit to the governor and Legislature for their consideration. Topics relate to human capital, technology development, outreach & public policy and investment capital.

The Tech Council's Still highlighted Wisconsin's bioclusters in the summer issue of the European Biopharmaceutical Review, a quartly journal covering the biopharmaceutical market world-wide. View story

In July, La Crosse hosted the Tech Council Board of Directors meeting at CenturyTel. The Board received a warm welcome from the La Crosse business community, including the 7 Rivers Region Alliance, Functional Biosciences, Flanagan Financial and SkipperLiner.

The July 6 edition of "Upfront," a weekly news magazine show in Milwaukee, included an interview with the Tech Council's Still on Wisconsin's potential to produce biofuels and other forms of alternative energy. Watch the segment.

In June, Tech Council staff attended the BIO International Convention 2008 in San Diego. Through the Wisconsin BIO Blog the Tech Council published the Wisconsin delegation's efforts through stories, photos and video. Read more. View blog.

The 2008 Entrepreneurs' Conference took place June 9-10 in Milwaukee and drew more than 450 entrepreneurs, investors and service providers. The event returned with a new highlight: the First Look Forum, which offered a preview of university-based innovation. Read more. View photo gallery.

Battelle recently released the 2008 version of its State Bioscience Initiatives report. How did Wisconsin fare?

• Wisconsin showed the largest growth in employment from '01-'05 in the Ag Feedstock & Chemicals subsector. This was the largest employment growth among the subsectors the report evaluated: Drugs & Pharmaceuticals; Medical Devices & Equipment; and Research, Testing, & Medical Labs.
• Among the 50 states, Wisconsin ranked in the top 15 in total academic R&D expenditures (about $1 billion - rank 13), bioscience R&D ($675 million - rank 15), and higher education degrees in bioscience fields (3,880 - rank 11).
• Madison was the only metropolitan area in Battelle's survey with a specialized job concentration in all four subsectors.

Reader Poll is the newest feature of the WIN eNewsletter! Share your thoughts by voting and view the responses of others.

Reader Poll question of the month:

This month the Tech Council is conducting a review of the 2008 Entrepreneurs' Conference; which took place June 9- 10 in Milwaukee.

We encourage this year's attendees provide feedback as we work to further improve the event.

Event attendees should check their inbox and respond to the survey reminder following this email.

Lake Superior Technology Conference, August 6-7, Ashland, WI

2008 Resource Rendezvous, August 28, Marshfield

Midwest U.S. - Japan Association Conference, September 7, Milwaukee

Rock Valley Innovators and Entrepreneurs Forum, September 10, Janesville

NASVF Annual Conference, September 10-12, Detroit, MI

2008 World Stem Cell Summit, September 22-23, Madison

5th Annual sySTEM Now! Conference, October 21, Marquette University, Milwaukee

2008 Tekne Awards, October 30, Minneapolis Convention Center

Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, November 5-6, Madison

SPONSOR YOUR NEXT REGIONAL WIN MEETING! WIN has six chapters across Wisconsin. Click here or contact WIN director, Liz Katz, to learn more!

Joining your local Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) Chapter offers networking connections with a variety of industries and professionals in high tech, law, banking, government, public relations, manufacturing, and local entrepreneurs. Your next client/customer/partner is only "six degrees of separation" away.

Click here to join your local WIN Chapter or to learn more about us.