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The Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) eNewsletter is a periodical of news, events and programs about the needs and challenges faced by new and growing technology-based businesses in Wisconsin. WIN has chapters in western Wisconsin, the Lake Superior region, Madison, Milwaukee, northeast Wisconsin and central Wisconsin.
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| Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference - It's a Wrap! | | |
The 9th annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference was held June 7-8 in Milwaukee. Built around a theme of "Launch, Grow, Succeed: Creating tomorrow's Jobs Today," the conference attracted record attendance with 417 registrants.
Conference highlights included:
- Nationally known speakers: Tim Kane of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Jeff Rusinow, founder of Silicon Pastures; Joe Sweeney, author of "Networking is a Contact Sport"; and Mark Schmitz of ZEBRADOG. Read more about Tim Kane on John Torinus' blog here.
- The Top 12: Finalists in the Governor's Business Plan Contest squared off...read more about the winner from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel here.
- Bob Hillis, founder of Direct Supply, received Ken Hendricks Memorial "Seize the Day" Award..read more from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel here.
- Hands-on panel discussions tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs
- "Start-up Cafe" provided one-on-one instruction on social media, mobile applications, lean start-ups and more
- Plenty of chances to network over food and refreshments!
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| Software service for vehicles wins 2011 Gov's Biz Plan Contest | | |
A Madison company aiming to help passengers in buses, trains and other vehicles connect to the Internet was the grand prize winner in the 2011 Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest....read full news release here. And read coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel here.
The contest began with a field of 220 first-round entries by an independent panel of nearly 60 judges organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council, which is producing the contest in conjunction with its membership subsidiary, the Wisconsin Innovation Network, the Wisconsin Angel Network and other statewide affiliates. The top 12 competed live for the grand prize on June 7 at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference.
The 2012 competition will begin accepting entries in the fall of 2011; deadline to enter is Jan. 31, 2012.
www.govsbizplancontest.com
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| 'Wisconsin YES!' student biz plan contest will accept entries fall 2011 | |
In partnership with the WEA Trust and others, the Wisconsin Technology Council will launch a statewide business plan contest for students in middle and high school next fall. The Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science contest, called Wisconsin YES!, will be open to all students in Wisconsin who are entering grades six through 12 for the 2011-2012 academic year....read more here.
www.wisconsinyes.com |
| Latest 'WisBusiness: The Show' features Kauffman Foundation | |
Please watch the latest edition of "WisBusiness: The Show" the twice-a-month Web show covering state business news and issues.
This edition taped at the 2011 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference in Milwaukee, Tim Kane of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation talks about the importance of start-up companies to the national and state economies. Tom Still, president of the Tech Council, talks about the rising interest in entrepreneurism on Wisconsin's college campuses. And our stock report has the highs and lows for early June.
Click here to see the show produced by Tweedee Productions. |
| Former U.S. envoys will address Wisconsin's global health role at luncheon during BIO week | |
Former U.S. ambassadors Mark Green and Tom Loftus and veteran international development expert Anthony Carroll will discuss Wisconsin's emerging role in addressing global health issues at a Monday, June 27, luncheon in Washington, D.C....read more here.
For more information on BIO contact Jodi Hoeser. |
| Walker certifies Zurex PharmAgra for Wisconsin's investor tax credits | | |
Gov. Scott Walker announced June 13 that Zurex PharmAgra LLC, Madison, has received the Qualified New Business Venture certification from the Department of Commerce. The company's certification by Commerce makes investors in Zurex PharmAgra eligible for a 25-percent tax credit and capital gains tax deferrals on qualified amounts they invest in the company....read more here. |
| Greater Milwaukee Committee envisions local 'design tech' cluster | |
The Greater Milwaukee Committee is pressing ahead with plans for a "design tech cluster" in Milwaukee to take advantage of emerging talent around software and mobile applications technology. Read a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story. |
| Janesville among finalists for business that could create 100 jobs | | |
Janesville, Chippewa Falls and Stevens Point are being considered for a business that would create 100 jobs with the possibility of more in the future. Read full GazetteXtra article here. |
| Growth Capital Coalition seeks increase in venture capital investments | |
With legislation that would have allocated $400 million to help fund emerging companies in Wisconsin on hold for now, high-powered financiers and others say they will attempt to find ideas for a better venture capital model for Wisconsin. Read full Journal Sentinel story here. |
| Foley law firm creates $4 million to invest in client start-up companies | | |
Foley & Lardner, the law firm based in Milwaukee, has created the Foley Venture Fund to invest in client-run start-up companies. Read more here on WisBusiness.com |
| High-tech sector adds 500 jobs in Madison area | |
Technology companies helped create 500 jobs in the Madison area last year and the industry now represents 10.5 percent of the work force, with 31,000 jobs. More than 600 companies in Dane, Columbia and Iowa counties identify themselves as technology-based, about the same as the year before, according to the 2011 Directory of High-Tech Companies, compiled by Madison Gas & Electric. Read full Journal Sentinel story here. |
| Business commentary: Wisconsin needs to figure out details to get venture capital plan going | |
If the investor and entrepreneurial communities in Wisconsin agree on anything, it's the need for more private equity capital - especially for those "gazelle" companies that could sprint to the next level if only they could find the next round of financing. The disagreement comes over how best to spark a more robust venture capital fire in Wisconsin, a debate that cuts to the core of the debate over the Wisconsin Jobs Act. Read full Journal Sentinel column by Tom Still here. |
| State legislature passes Wisconsin Telecom Modernization Act | |
The Wisconsin State Legislature has passed Special Session Senate Bill 13/Special Session Assembly Bill 14, the Wisconsin Telecom Modernization Act, which would update Wisconsin's outdated telecommunications rules and promote investments in new technologies. The bill overwhelmingly passed through the State Senate on a bipartisan 25-8 vote, and passed in the Assembly on a bipartisan 80-13 vote....read more here. |
| Wisconsin jumps in Chief Executive magazine rankings as good place to do business | |
Wisconsin had the biggest gain in the Chief Executive Magazine rankings released this month. Wisconsin jumped 17 spots, from 41st to 24th, in the rankings. This is the seventh year the magazine has ranked the nation's business climate in its "Best/Worst States for Business" rankings. Business leaders graded the states on a variety of categories grouped under taxation and regulation, workforce quality and living environment. Read more here. |
| Company news round-up | | |
Accuray said Monday it has completed its acquisition of Madison-based TomoTherapy. The $277 million deal in cash and stock, which was proposed in March, was approved by TomoTherapy shareholders on Thursday. Read full State Journal story here.
Virent Energy Systems has won a $13.4 million federal grant to continue its work on producing renewable jet fuel from non-food crops. Click here to read a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story.
ZBB Energy Corp. will receive tax credits of up to $700,000 from the Australian government as a result of battery technology research the firm is conducting at its office in Australia. Read full Journal Sentinel business blog here.
Middleton-based Shine Medical Technologies reported it has raised $11 million of venture capital funding. Knox LLC - the investment vehicle for Frederick J. Mancheski, former chairman and chief executive of automotive parts supplier Echlin - led the round and contributed $10 million of the funding. Read full Journal Sentinel story here.
Cellular Dynamics International has an agreement letting iPS Academia Japan distribute the Madison company's stem cell-derived heart cells in Japan. Read full Wisconsin State Journal story here.
Mithridion Inc., a privately-owned clinical stage drug development company focusing on serious Central Nervous System, has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded 'orphan drug designation for MCD-386CR, its lead drug candidate. The drug is used to treat Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Read more here.
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Inside Wisconsin columns tackle state, tech issues | | |
Inside Wisconsin
Tech Council President Tom Still shares insights on technology, the economy and politics though "Inside Wisconsin." Here are some recent columns:
Effort to help rural telecoms shouldn't endanger university research networks:
A proposal pending in the state budget to restrict the ability of the UW System to take part in network consortia such as Internet2, BoreasNet and similar data pipelines makes little sense. It would hamper the ability of researchers in Madison, Milwaukee and across the UW System to do what they do best - make discoveries and push those ideas closer to the marketplace...read more.
Not all entrepreneurs are college grads, but more students are taking the start-up path:
Inside the University of Wisconsin System more students are taking courses that could put them on the path to starting their own companies. Others are starting companies while pursuing their degrees.At the UW-Madison alone, more than 1,300 students were involved in entrepreneurship courses across the 42,000-student campus during the 2009-2010 academic year, according to a report to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation....read more.
Business community is getting behind value of early childhood education:
The numbers are hard to dispute: Kids who attend organized but relatively inexpensive pre-school programs are more likely to graduate from high school, to earn more as adults, to stay off welfare and to avoid spending time in jail....read more.
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| News, events and opportunities | |
* Wisconsin Cleantech Network to meet June 22 at Vintage Brewery in Madison. Contact Jodi Hoeser for more information.* The Tech Council Board of Directors will meet July 12 at Electronic Theatre Controls. A 10th anniversary celebration of the creation of the Tech Council will be held July 11 and hosted by Michael Best & Friedrich, with support from Urban Land Interests. Contact Sarah Reigstad for more information.
 * The Wisconsin Technology Council has released its 2010-2011 white papers report, called "Looking to the future: A case for bold action." This biennial report contains recommendations in four broad areas: Increasing access to capital for Wisconsin entrepreneurs; Workforce development; Infrastructure and business climate; and Technology development. Click here to read the full report, which was issued in July 2010. |
| Get WIN-volved! Membership has its privileges | |
 Joining your local Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) Chapter offers networking connections with a variety of industries and professionals in technology, law, banking, government, public relations, manufacturing, and local entrepreneurs.
Click here to join your local WIN Chapter today!
New Corporate Members:
New Individual Members and Renewals:
Rajai Atalla
Scott Eganhouse
Anna Griffin
Tom Lieven
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