— The MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum, one of the nation’s largest regional platforms to showcase healthcare start-ups and emerging growth companies, will attract more than 200 private equity investors to Madison in November. Gov. Jim Doyle announced Wisconsin’s selection for the Nov. 10-12 forum during the 2009 BIO convention in Atlanta, where a delegation from the state is taking part in the world’s largest biotech convention. The MidAmerica Healthcare Investors Network, which produces the forum in cooperation with International Business Forum in New York, is an association of 48 venture capital firms from 14 states. Those firms collectively have about $2 billion in assets under management. “There has never been a more important time to attract a conference of this stature to Wisconsin,” said Doyle, who noted that many life sciences companies in Wisconsin are poised to attract venture capital. “This is a chance to bring the right investors to the right place at the right time.” — Bucking national trends, Wisconsin angel networks and funds posted a 28 percent increase in early stage investments in 2008, reaching more than $15 million invested in 53 deals. Recently released data showed that angel investing was down 26 percent nationally for the same year compared to 2007. While Wisconsin’s overall early stage investment market has followed the national trend, down 33 percent to $98 million in 2008, the increase in angel network and fund investing demonstrates the success of Wisconsin’s focus on building and retaining angel networks and funds. Venture capital investments in Wisconsin – those later-stage investments made after early stage companies begin to grow – declined by 32 percent to $76 million in 2008, again following the national trend of decreased venture investments. Gov. Jim Doyle announced the survey results during the BIO international convention. See more news from the convention at the BIO Blog: http://blogs.wisbusiness.com/bio/ — The state has announced a $276 million plan to replace two coal-fired power plants in downtown Madison with biomass and natural gas. Gov. Jim Doyle’s administration had previously announced plans to cease coal use at the plants, which power the UW-Madison campus, state Capitol and 11 government buildings. The four phases of the project would be completed by December 2013. *See the release: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=159115 *See the report: ftp://doaftp04.doa.state.wi.us/Doadocs/CharterSt-BACTComplianceNeedsAltAnalysis.pdf TOP STORIES Harley drops plans for Buell plant : Harley-Davidson Inc. has dropped plans to build a $10 million plant for its Buell (BYOOL) Motorcycle division. ConAgra Foods to add 30 jobs, expand: ConAgra’s addition to its Snack Pack pudding production line, including a new pudding machine with the latest technology, should be finished by December. Trek recalls 16,000 bikes : Trek of Waterloo is voluntarily recalling certain bicycles that may leave riders more at risk of crashing, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************
ECONOMY (back to top) – Wisconsin angel investing rises, but venture capital down MANUFACTURING (back to top)
LABOR (back to top) – Outlook grim for teens seeking summer work – Depression spurred protests here, birth of unemployment insurance
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top) – Menasha’s Community Clothes Closet to be on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ today – Benson receives national SBA award
INVESTING (back to top)
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – Housing indicators hit lows – Housing starts continue fall in April
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
TOURISM (back to top)
UTILITIES (back to top) – Report: More biofuels needed for UW power plant
HEALTH CARE (back to top) – Waukesha County, Aurora to conduct health survey
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
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