Wisconsin Technology Council: Entrepreneurs can apply now for chances to present to investors at November conferences

Contact: Liz Schrum or Tom Still at 608-442-7557

Or visit http://www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com to learn more

MADISON – Early stage companies in Wisconsin and beyond will have three opportunities to present to private equity investors gathering in two Madison venues this fall.

The Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium (Nov. 10-11) and the MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum (Nov. 11-12) at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center will offer early stage companies chances to present to angel investors and venture capitalists.

Companies must apply to present by 5 p.m. CST Friday, Sept. 18, through websites listed below.

The Early Stage Symposium will feature these two tracks:

* The Wisconsin Angel Network investor track, which will accept 20 companies seeking angel or other early stage financing. Typically, these are companies seeking $500,000 and up, although the selection committee may make exceptions for companies seeking a smaller amount. Download application instructions here or visit http://www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.

* The Elevator Pitch Olympics, which will accept about 15 entrepreneurs who are preparing to seek angel capital or other financing. Past winners of the EPO have gone on to win the Governor’s Business Plan Contest. Download application instructions at here or visit http://www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.

The MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum is seeking about three-dozen presenters from a 14-state area that includes Wisconsin. These are companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical devices, and industrial biotech industries seeking funding. Apply to present at the MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum at http://www.midamericahealthcareforum.com or click here.

The Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium is an annual event that dates to 1984 under different names, but which has always provided opportunities for entrepreneurs to present their ideas to potential investors. In 2008, more than 50 investors from Wisconsin and five other states took part.

The MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum is an annual event led by the MidAmerica Health Investors Network, which includes 45 venture capital firms from 14 states as members. As many as 250 MHIN members and companies are expected to attend.

There will be several venues that allow participants in both conferences to network, including a Nov. 10 reception at Monona Terrace.

The symposium will also feature nationally known speakers and panelists, the “First Look Forum” for pre-commercial, campus-based discoveries and a dinner honoring Wisconsin’s winners of SBIR and STTR grants.

The conference is produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and its partners and sponsors. Visit http://www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com to register, review sponsorship opportunities or to learn more.