|
|
| WisBusiness.com: The Show | |
| |
|
| Our Sponsors | 
|
| Join WIN | |
Click here to read more about member benefits and join today! |
| Upcoming WIN Events | |
| |
Have program ideas for your regional WIN chapter?
|
| Recent WIN sponsors | |
Interested in sponsoring a WIN event? Contact
|
| Tech Bytes | Journal-Sentinel offers daily business updates
Read more |
The Tech Council offers notary services to WIN, WAN and WSRC members by appointment Contact us |
| Quick Links | |
Inside Wisconsin
Tom Still's Column
More About Us
|
| Join our list |  |
|
|
 January 2012 |
|
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.
|
Governor's Biz Plan Contest entry deadline approaching
| |
The Governor's Business Plan Contest is accepting entries until 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2012, for its ninth annual contest. Over time, more than 2,000 entries have been received statewide and finalists have received more than $1 million in cash and other prizes. Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and partners that include the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., the Governor's Business Plan Contest engages contestants in a six-month process that includes mentoring and comments from judges on selected plans. The contest also leads to valuable public and media exposure for the best business plans and spurs company creation in Wisconsin. Past finalists have raised a reported $20 million in private equity, such as angel and venture capital.
|
|
Trends in Wisconsin's innovation sector top WIN schedule
|
|
Upcoming meetings of the Wisconsin Innovation Network will feature speakers and topics of interest to the state's innovation community. The Jan. 12 meeting of the Milwaukee chapter will examine prospects for passage of venture and angel capital legislation. Providing bipartisan perspective on the bill will be Sens. Alberta Darling, R-River Falls, and Tim Cullen, D-Janesville. The Jan. 24 WIN-Madison meeting will feature Steve Dickmann, the chief administrative officer for Epic Systems, Wisconsin's world-renowned electronic health records company. The Feb. 9 WIN-Milwaukee meeting will examine a hot topic in start-up financing - crowd-funding - from all sides. Speaking at the Feb. 28 WIN-Madison meeting will be David Krakauer, the new director of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. Join us for these and other WIN meetings to be announced soon.
|
Watch the latest edition of 'WisBusiness.com: The Show'
| |
Please watch these latest editions of "WisBusiness: The Show" the twice-a-month Web show covering state business news and issues. This episode ofWisBusiness.com: The Show kicks off the new year with Tom Still discussing business trends to watch for 2012, Liz Schrum looking at dairy and snowfall in the WisBusiness.com Stock Report and Wisconsin Banking Association President/CEO Rose Oswald Poels discussing the 2012 outlook for banks in Wisconsin.
Click here to view the biweekly show, produced by Tweedee Productions for the Tech Council and WisBusiness.com, as well as our archives of past shows. The show is sponsored by Grant Thornton, Madison Gas & Electric, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., and the UW-Milwaukee.
Jim Morgan, WMC Foundation
Greg Quam, Project Lead the Way
Mark Moody, president and CEO of WEA Trust
Mike Theo, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Realtors Association
|
National Digital Learning Day set for Feb. 1; Wisconsin taking part
| |
Digital Learning Day is a culminating event in a year-round national awareness campaign to improve teaching and learning for all children. Digital learning is any instructional practice that is effectively using technology to strengthen the student learning experience. However, Digital Learning Day is not just for schools. Learning takes place in many environments: Libraries, community or afterschool programs, and other groups along with parents and students are all invited. Visit the toolkit section to get started.
Thus far, 28 states, including Wisconsin through the state Department of Public Instruction and the governor's office, are taking part. Registered participants will have a chance to be included in Digital Learning Day activities, receive exclusive tips, content and promotional materials.
|
Company news round-up
| | Catalent plans to move into former GE Healthcare Lunar building The former GE Healthcare Lunar building on the Far West Side, at 726 Heartland Trail, will soon see new life.
Virent announces issuance of five U.S. Patents Virent announced the issuance of five new U.S. patents covering aspects of its catalytic BioForming® platform.
Software firm Collaborative Consulting hires first 10 Wausau workers A Massachusetts-based software firm opening a center in Wausau has hired its first 10 employees here and could select an office site by next week, a company official said.
With seven biosafety hoods, plenty of space and a big screen to project images from microscopes, a new stem cell classroom at Madison Area Technical College is a major advance from the cramped quarters where students previously learned how to grow the cells. Tech Council President Tom Still was the guest speaker at the ribbon-cutting.
SHINE Medical close to decision on new location Officials at SHINE Medical Technologies said they're confident that the company will decide by the end of January whether they will build an $80 million isotope facility in Stevens Point or Janesville.
ZBB joint venture lands China contracts ZBB Energy Corp. said its joint venture company in China has won contracts to provide energy storage and power management systems to customers including the Chinese government.
Aberdean acquires Sundial Software Small Business Clients Aberdean Consulting LLC, a leading provider of information technology solutions and services to small and midsized businesses, announced that it has acquired the client list of Madison-based Sundial Software Corp.'s small business support service.
Calumet Venture Fund secures $6.6 million in financing for two portfolio companies Calumet Venture Fund, a firm dedicated to investing in early-stage technology companies in the Midwest, recently secured next-round financing for two of its portfolio companies. A $3.6 million Series B financing for OptiMine Software, led by Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, closed on Oct. 21, 2011. Series C financing for Montage Talent Inc., led by Baird Venture Partners closed Dec. 12, 2011, with $3 million raised.
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced final rules on the definition of accredited investor yesterday. The rules are available on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov/rules/final/2011/33-9287.pdf. Eso-Technologies gets FDA green light for more trials Eso-Technologies is going back into clinical trials in January with a redesigned heart monitor.
Milwaukee area ranks second nationally in manufacturing, says NewGeography.com The Milwaukee area has been ranked No. 2 nationally in manufacturing, according to NewGeography.com, a website tied to author and futurist Joel Kotkin. Houston was No. 1 in the "heavy metal" rankings. Kotkin has spoken on the importance of cities in Madison and Milwaukee over time, as have principals of the Praxis Strategy Group, which examined the nation's 51 largest cities.
Virent chosen by Coca-Cola to provide plastic bottles made from plants The Coca-Cola Co. has chosen Virent Inc., a Madison company working on renewable fuels, as one of three companies to help the soft drink giant provide plastic bottles made entirely from plants, not petroleum
In a move that signals its continued interest in emerging markets in the Upper Midwest, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board announced it will commit up to $80 million to Northgate Capital through SWIB's Venture Capital Catalyst Portfolio.
Montage raises $3 million from Baird Venture Partners and Calumet Venture Fund Montage Talent, a Delafield-based provider of video interviewing solutions, has closed a $3 million financing round led by Baird Venture Partners.
|
|
Inside Wisconsin columns tackle state, tech issues
| |
 Tech Council President Tom Still shares insights on technology, the economy and politics through "Inside Wisconsin." Here are some recent columns:So long, 2011, a year in which the economy flirted with recovery, and welcome to 2012, a year that may spring out of the blocks but encounter hurdles down the track. Here are some trends worth following.A source close to the toy industry has once again leaked a copy of Santa's perks list for Wisconsin politicians and newsmakers. Here's what the good boys and girls in Madison and Washington will reportedly find in their stockings this Christmas. But they better not pout and they better not cry if an alert district attorney asks why gifts were delivered down chimneys after midnight.What makes a local economy successful? Working together helps The 250 or so people who gathered in December for the 40th annual meeting of the La Crosse Area Development Corp. aren't without their differences. The crowd included business leaders and educators, Republicans and Democrats, "townies" and academic gowns, and even a few politicians who have butted heads in recent elections.
Click here to view more Inside Wisconsin columns.
|
Save the date for the 2012 Entrepreneurs' Conference
| |
The 2012 Entrepreneur's Conference will be held in Milwaukee at the Pfister Hotel June 5-6. In 2011, more than 400 people attended.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor at the conference, contact Jodi Hoeser at jhoeser@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com for sponsorship opportunities.
|
|
2011 Early Stage Symposium - It's a wrap!
| |
 The 2011 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium was held Nov. 2-3 in Madison, where 455 people took part in various aspects of the conference.
Click here to see a conference wrap-up page, including news conferences, photographs, an attendee list, speakers slides and more. |
|
News, events and opportunities
| | |
|
| 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!SPONSOR YOUR NEXT REGIONAL WIN MEETING! WIN has six chapters across Wisconsin. Click POST YOUR EVENTS ON THE TECH COUNCIL COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTING! Click here to add your event to the Tech Council website.
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations that have recently joined or renewed their WIN memberships:
Corporate Members: Individual Members:Dan Dieck Brian Eckrose Lorrie Keating Heinemann
Dr. A.A. Koeller Roger Orlady Ann Shea Laura Schmitz Dave Scholtens Frank Staniszewski Richard Thieme
|
|
|
________________________________________________________________________
Dear Reader:
The start of 2012 has brought signs of a reawakening national and state economy. In the Wisconsin Legislature, a proposal to create a venture and angel capital program is pending. Across the state, companies are continuing to innovate through new products and services. Please use this edition of the WIN eNewsletter to learn more about trends and news, and visit www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com to learn more. Share you ideas for news and events at news@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com Sincerely,
Tom Still, president
Wisconsin Innovation Network / Wisconsin Technology Council
_______________________________________________
E-mail: news@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com
Phone: (608)442-7557
Fax: (608)231-6877
Web: http://www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com |
|
|
|
|
|
