By Amanda Ciesielczyk
WisBusiness.com
MADISON – Up to 20 new companies are presenting products at the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, held today and tomorrow at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.
The annual symposium, produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council, has existed under different names for more than 20 years and features nationally known speakers, more than a dozen panel discussions and a look back at the founding of University Research Park.
Today, the conference features the second annual Wisconsin Angel Network (WAN) Early Stage presentation track for companies seeking angel investments beginning in the $500,000 range. Two dozen companies were selected for the WAN track, said Wisconsin Angel Network director Joe Kremer.
Companies in the WAN track feature technologies in major sectors: information technology and Internet services, biotechnology, medical devices, advanced manufacturing and “clean tech.” These companies are located in communities across Wisconsin as well as other Midwestern states. They will present for seven minutes each, followed by up to three minutes of questions from investors.
Gov. Jim Doyle and Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel will address the questions surrounding Wisconsin’s “knowledge-based” economy Thursday morning.
Doyle has made development of Wisconsin’s tech-based economy a priority since taking office. His “Grow Wisconsin” economic stimulus plans have focused on strategies to improve the knowledge-based economy.
This will be Leinenkugel’s first major address to members of the tech community.
During Thursday afternoon’s fourth annual “Elevator Pitch Olympics” presenters will speak without Power Point presentations, hand-outs or props. “The term describes a pitch that’s short enough to be given during an elevator ride,” said Wisconsin Technology Council president, Tom Still.
Beginning at 12:30 p.m, the program allows entrepreneurs to make 90-second presentations to a panel of eight judges. During the 90 seconds, participants will cover the highlights of their business plan or idea, including: What is the product or service? What are the customer needs, i.e., what problems will the product or service solve? What is the market and size? How will the company sell into the market? How will investors in the business make money?
Immediately afterwards, presenters will get their score and constructive feedback from the judges.
The judges will score the contest numerically, judging whether they would take a meeting to discuss the plan in detail and whether they would read beyond the first page of the business plan if it arrived the next day in their office.
