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| WisBusiness.com: The Show | |
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| Entrepreneurs' Toolkit |
 The Entrepreneurs' Toolkit, a soup-to-nuts guide for Wisconsin entrepreneurs, is available at www.WItoolkit.com and through the Wisconsin Technology Council website. It was launched in April and is designed to give innovators a pathway to resources available in the state and beyond. Those resources include information on business assistance programs, sources of financing, permits and regulations, how to choose a business structure, how to write a business plan and more.
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| Upcoming WIN Events | |
July 12
WIN Madison - Meet the winners: Governor's Business Plan Contest category winners to present
July 24
WIN Milwaukee - UW-Milwaukee and the innovation economy. Chancellor Mike Lovell, the former dean of engineering, will speak.
August 9
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| Tech Bytes | Journal-Sentinel offers daily business updates
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Inside Wisconsin
Tom Still's Column
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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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Companies may present at 2012 Resource Rendezvous |
 Mark your calendars for the sixth annual Resource Rendezvous, Sept. 6 at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery in Madison. The Resource Rendezvous is Wisconsin's premier conference to learn about federal research opportunities from science and technology managers in defense and other key agencies.
The producers of Resource Rendezvous are looking for cutting-edge companies from Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest to present during the conference. We invite you to apply OR nominate companies to participate in The Quad Pitch presentations: Four-minute, four-slide company presentations. Deadline to apply is 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, 2012.
Selected presenters will pitch their research and product development ideas to federal science and technology directors who will attend Resource Rendezvous. There will be ample networking time before and after formal presentations. Click here to learn how to apply. |
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Wheelchair innovation wins 2012 Business Plan Contest
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 A company that has developed a mechanism to change how wheelchairs are propelled by their users won the grand prize in the 2012 Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest. RoWheels, led by Rimas Buinevicius and Jan Moen of Madison, worked with a NASA engineer to create a geared wheeling system that allows a wheelchair to be pulled forward by its user rather than the traditional pushing motion. The technology requires less effort by users while reducing strain on shoulders, joints and muscles.
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And the winners are... |
 RoWheels was the first-place winner in the Advanced Manufacturing category of the contest. Other category winners were:
Business Services: Style Shuffler, a licensed "white label" mobile application for retailers to improve customer experience in making clothing and accessory selections.
Information Technology: Strategic Fishing Systems, a patent-pending innovation in geographic information systems to develop Contour Elite, which can predict fish locations. Life Sciences: Reza-Band, a product of Somna Therapeutics, a medical-device company focused on improving the quality of life for people suffering from extraesophageal acid reflux.
The awards were announced at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference in Milwaukee, where the top 12 contestants squared off in making oral presentations on their plans. Some 248 entries were received in January from contestants in more than 75 communities. More than $200,000 in cash and in-kind prizes were pledged for the 2012 contest. |
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Wausau-area student wins Wisconsin youth biz plan contest
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 Tyler Ebert, a June graduate of D.C. Everest High School, Schofield, won the top award in the Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science (YES!) contest with Citadel Systems Security, a computer security company. The contest, produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council, drew about 60 applications and awarded cash and prizes totaling about $5,000. Read more here.
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Federal JOBS Act details topic at July 12 WIN Milwaukee
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The American Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, which changes federal rules related to "crowd-funding" and initial public offerings, will be discussed at the Thursday, July 12, luncheon meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network in Milwaukee. Click here to register.
A panel of experts will discuss how the JOBS Act, recently signed into law by President Obama, will affect Wisconsin's high-growth economy and emerging companies. Much of the complex and expansive legislation hinges on U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules that are currently being developed. The panel will provide up-to-date information regarding upcoming and missed SEC deadlines. The panelists will also discuss the current thinking of national associations representing both angel investors and securities administrators.
Panelists are Joe Hildebrandt, managing director of DaneVest Tech Fund and the Phenomenelle Angels Fund; Patricia Struck, administrator of the Securities Division of the state Department of Financial Institutions; and Zach Brandon, director of the Wisconsin Angel Network. Tom Still of the Tech Council will moderate.
"While the JOBS Act has been heavily debated and discussed, much of what it contains is different from conventional wisdom," Still said. "This panel will help to provide a more complete picture of what the law will actually do."
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Watch WisconsinEye coverage of June 26 WIN Madison
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Click here to watch 'WisconsinEye' video coverage of the June 26 WIN-Madison meeting, at which Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler discussed the state's tax climate and the prospects for a growth capital program for Wisconsin. Chandler was joined at the meeting by investor Tim Keane and Todd Asmuth of AquaMost.
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Lake Superior Tech Conference set for Aug. 3 in Ashland
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Ready for cooler weather? Then head north for the annual Lake Superior Technology Conference, which is produced by the Wisconsin Innovation Network's Lake Superior chapter. The Aug. 3 conference will feature a company pitch contest with cash prizes.
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Watch the latest edition of 'WisBusiness.com: The Show'
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Please watch these latest editions of "WisBusiness: The Show" the twice-a-month Web show covering state business news and issues.
This latest edition of WisBusiness.com: The Show features Liz Schrum's interview with Holly Hawkins of Tri-North Builders, Tom Still's commentary on Gov. Scott Walker's "salesman-in-chief" status, and our rising and falling news segment. Coming soon: An interview with Bruce Maas, UW-Madison's chief information officer.
Previous shows:
Molly Lahr, Wisconsin Innovation Network Director
Chris Prestigiacomo of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board
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Inside Wisconsin columns tackle state, tech issues
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 Tech Council President Tom Still shares insights on technology, the economy and politics through "Inside Wisconsin." Here are some recent columns:
Time to get creative on jobs: The good news for Wisconsin's economy: It added nearly 20,000 jobs in 2011, according to the now-official figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The not-so-good news: Wisconsin still ranked behind 40 other states when it came to creating jobs.
Supreme Court ruling or no, health care reform well underway in America The U.S. Supreme Court's July 28 decision to uphold the core of the Affordable Care Act, the full name for President Obama's health care plan, didn't end the political debate over government's role in health care. In fact, the ruling has already become a defining issue in the fall elections.
Wisconsin can play a role in 'reinventing' the Internet The need to essentially re-invent the Internet is behind a trend called "software defined networking," or Open Flow, that has commanded the attention of the industry's biggest names, academic researchers, major telecommunication providers and the White House itself.
Walker poised to be 'salesman-in-chief' Walker's victory in the June 5 recall election secured his seat in the Capitol's East Wing through 2014 but also freed him to serve as Wisconsin's salesman-in-chief, a role that will help the state attract new business and investment while retaining and expanding what it already has.
As pace of cancer drug approval quickens, Wisconsin companies stand to benefit Society is ever-so-slowly winning its war against cancer. That's due in part to better health habits, such as not smoking, but it's also because diagnostic and therapeutic technologies are advancing at an accelerated pace.
For Wisconsin's biotech industry, a mix of encouraging and challenging news As Wisconsin's delegation of biotech executives, researchers and others arrive in Boston for this year's BIO International Convention, they will enter an industry setting that has changed for the better in some ways, for the worse in others - or simply just changed.
To win cybersecurity war, U.S. needs smarter generals, more soldiers Richard A. Clarke is no stranger to national security. He was a senior White House adviser to three presidents and served nearly 20 years in the Pentagon, the State Department and the intelligence community, often concentrating on stopping foreign "hackers" from exploiting weaknesses in the nation's computer networks.
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Innovation news round-up
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Biofuels proposals sought, Madison's Virent among firms invited to participate A biofuels initiative that aims to reduce the military's reliance on imported petroleum is moving ahead, with companies including Madison-based Virent Inc. invited to submit proposals in a $30 million initiative.
Dahlberg named interim executive director for Morgridge Institute Saying its current executive director is leaving at the end of the month "to pursue new career interests and opportunities," the Morgridge Institute for Research has named James Dahlberg interim executive director.
Tech and Biotech: Bioscience industry adds jobs while others don't The bioscience industry gave itself a pat on the back this week for adding jobs over the last decade, even as employment overall dropped nationwide. Column: Wisconsin execs see promising future for women in biotech This year's BIO International Convention shows the face of the world's biotechnology industry hasn't changed much. The cavernous halls of Boston's international trade center are a vast conglomeration of people, cultures and nationalities from around the world. Pair launches new venture capital fund Two veteran investors are trying to establish a new $50 million venture capital fund that would invest primarily in companies in Wisconsin and other Midwestern states. Visit WisBusiness.com "BIO" blog for news from 2012 BIO convention in Boston Want to follow Wisconsin's delegation at the 2012 BIO International Convention? Click here to read the WisBusiness.com BioBlog, which is tracking news throughout the world's largest biotechnology gathering. Mike Flaherty is covering the convention for WisBusiness and Jodi Hoeser from the Wisconsin Technology Council is helping to staff the Wisconsin pavilion, which was organized through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Executive Q&A: Video games are Justin Beck's business It's the type of story any computer or video game-loving teenager would envy: Create a game that becomes a giant hit and morphs into a company that brings in more than $1 million a year in revenues. Tech Council part of WEDC ad highlighting Wisconsin as place to do business The Wisconsin Technology Council is among a coalition of 38 economic development partners that have joined with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. in a regional print advertisement touting the state as a good place to do business. Click here to read a WisBusiness.com story. See the ad here. Gener8tor, a Milwaukee group formed in February to accelerate companies says it has chosen the first five startups for its summer program. The for-profit accelerator will provide seed capital investments of nearly $20,000 and will work with the start-ups over 12 weeks to help them identify customers and grow their businesses. The names of the startups will be revealed at an Aug. 24 launch party, where they will make presentations and try to lock in more funding from local and out-of-state investors.
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News, events and opportunities
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Wisconsin Technology Council Board of Directors meeting, La Crosse July 9-10WIN Milwaukee -What's really contained in federal JOBS Act July 12 WIN Madison - Meet the winners: Governor's Business Plan Contest category winners to present July 24 PowerBuy 4 Good - 2012 Annual FREESummer Event Wednesday, July 25th, Capital Brewery Middleton, WI Lake Superior Business and Technology Conference
August 3, Ashland, WI
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| Get WIN-volved! Membership has its privileges | |
 The Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) is The Tech Council's membership subsidiary - a community-based economic development organization dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. In association with the Tech Council, WIN programs focus on the needs and challenges faced by new and growing technology-based businesses in Wisconsin.
When you become a WIN member, your membership applies to all chapters, statewide. Membership is for one year starting with the month you join. Go here to learn more about the benefits of a WIN membership.
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations that have recently joined or renewed their WIN memberships:
Corporate Members: AE Business SolutionsDynamic Behavior Change Silicon PasturesSkyward
Individual Members:
Rajai Atalla Kimberly Dwyer Dave Hynek John Klungness Joe Kremer Thomas Mack Charles Neider Scottie Sandstrom Jay Wigdale Julie Zachman
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Sponsor your next regional meeting
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Sponsoring your chapter's next WIN meeting will give you and your company immediate exposure to Wisconsin's best and brightest people. WIN is a network dedicated to giving a voice to the technology community as a whole - from the bottom up! Sponsorship opportunities are available on a monthly or annual basis, contact Molly Lahr, WIN Director for more information .
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Post your events in the Tech Council Community Events Section
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 Click here to add your event to the Tech Council Community Events section that is designed to assist in the development, growth and success of science- and technology-based businesses in Wisconsin.
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Dear Reader:
The 10th annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference attracted 430 people over the course of two days in early June, offering the latest evidence that Wisconsin's startup economy is building momentum. The conference was pleased to host the Angel Capital Association's regional meeting, as well. Thanks again to speakers Dave Berkus, Bob Dorf and Julie Wainwright, who brought a wealth of experience to the event, and to Kay Koplovitz, the local-girl-made-good who was the winner of the 2012 "Seize the Day" award. Stay tuned for the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, Nov. 13-14. To review highlights from the June 5-6 conference, click here.
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 |
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