State gains 15,700 jobs in January; jobless rate falls to 6.9% Wisconsin gained an estimated 15,700 private-sector jobs in January while the state's unemployment rate declined to 6.9% from 7.0% in December, according to the most recent monthly unemployment data from the state Department of Workforce Development. 

 Lucigen gets $2.5 million federal research grant The National Institutes of Health awarded Lucigen Corp. of Middleton $2.5 million to help identify new drug candidates to treat infections, including those resistant to antibiotics.

Can Virent's technology move from the lab to the gas pump? Locked behind a set of double doors in a sparkling clean warehouse on the city's far east side is a miniature refinery.

Boot camp for new businesses After years of jobs as varied as driving a cab, making loans and repossessing cars, A-Sun Truth finally found a way to put the skills he learned 20 years ago as a U.S. Marine to good use.

Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery named 2012 'Laboratory of the Year' Click here to read a Wisconsin Technology Network story about the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery winning the 2012 award for "Laboratory of the Year," an international award sponsored by R&D magazine since 1966.

SWIB's Prestigiacomo talks about VC trends from a Silicon Valley perspective When asked whether today's start-ups focused on social or consumer Internet space are in a bubble, the response from the VCs was "no." The companies we met had business fundamentals to support the interest shown in these sectors.

Start-up fund 'Angels on the Water' aims to help state companies A group led by the former dean of the business school at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has launched a new fund -- Angels on the Water -- that will invest in start-up companies in northeastern Wisconsin and the rest of the state.

Technology Development Loans approved for entrepreneurs Gov. Scott Walker has announced two companies are eligible for Technology Development Loans from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

Oshkosh receives $94 million order from Marines Oshkosh Corp. has received a $94 million order from the U.S. Marine Corps for a type of truck first fielded in the war in Afghanistan three years ago.

Past Biz Plan Contest finalist will present at West Coast health IT event Forward Health Group has been selected to participate with major health systems as one of six Health Care Innovator Finalists at the prestigious West Coast BluePrint Health IT Innovation Exchange Summit. The Madison company was known as Population Manager when it reached the finals of the 2010 Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest. Click here to learn more.

WSRC's Heinemann to speak in April on working with national labs Jack Heinemann, director of the Wisconsin Security Research Consortium, will speak at the annual "Ideas2Profits" conference to be held April 19-20 at the Tundra Lodge in Green Bay. Heinemann will serve on a panel that will explore the ins and outs of working with national laboratories.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. working on early stage capital plan In a last-ditch effort to get an investment capital bill passed before the end of this session, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. has floated a proposal to fund promising young companies with money raised from the sale of unused investment tax credits.

Venture capital fund gets $25 million in commitments NEW Capital Management, a venture capital and growth equity firm in Appleton with half a dozen Madison companies in its portfolio, has closed on its second fund with more than $25 million committed.

Electronic Theatre Controls to expand in Middleton Electronic Theatre Controls plans to expand its office and manufacturing building in Middleton and add at least 100 jobs over the next several years.

Venture capital legislation looks dead Wisconsin's controversial venture capital legislation appears to be dead, at least for the current floor session.

Appleton-based venture capital firm seeks investments New Capital Management, an Appleton-based venture capital and growth equity firm, recently closed its NEW Capital Fund II Limited Partnership, with committed capital of more than $25 million.

Wisconsin Angel Network director, Zach Brandon, in this month's issue of Corporate Report Wisconsin Angel Network director, Zach Brandon, explains the who, why, what of angel investing in this month's issue of Corporate Report.  

Angel Investors And Startups Mingle In Milwaukee Thirty-five well-dressed men and women are sipping wine and chatting in the lounge of one of Milwaukee's oldest and most exclusive social clubs. A century ago, this is where the city's beer and banking giants mixed and mingled. Tonight's crowd isn't all that different - many of these men and women are worth at least a million dollars. Once a month, they pool their money to invest in high-tech, fast-growth startups. They call themselves the Silicon Pastures Angel Investment Network.

Coast Guard orders 40 boats from Marinette Marine Marinette Marine Corp. has received an $89.6 million order from the U.S. Coast Guard for 40 boats.

ATC, partners would bring hydro power from Canada Plans to bring renewable power from proposed dams in Manitoba to Minnesota and Wisconsin are taking shape.

Website Helps Companies Looking At Wisconsin A new free website has been launched to help businesses looking at locating or expanding in Wisconsin.The new site created by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and GIS Planning Inc. is designed to help company executives and site selectors with information that will help them make their decisions.

HarQen attracts $1.8 million investment HarQen Inc. has developed what founder and chief executive officer Kelly Fitzsimmons believes is a better online conferencing product and has attracted nearly $1.8 million in investments including funds from high-profile start-up investor Tom Shannon.

State planning trade missions to southeast Asia, South America and India The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. is leading three trade missions this spring in regions where Wisconsin companies can explore expanding their exports and partnerships.

UW-Madison engineering dean Peercy to retire; leader in industry and education Paul Peercy, dean of the UW-Madison College of Engineering for 13 years and a member of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Technology Council, will retire as dean once a search for his successor is complete 

State urging online buyers to pay tax Wisconsin taxpayers could find themselves digging through more receipts than usual this tax season as the state Department of Revenue makes another effort to collect taxes on out-of-state purchases.