First Business Bank: Launches new event for innovators and investors

For more information contact:
Kelley Dixon
Marketing & Events Coordinator
First Business Financial Services, Inc
Phone 920-734-1800
kdixon@firstbusiness.com

THINC! INNOVATION, May 24 at EAA in Oshkosh

OSHKOSH, WI, April 20, 2012 – First Business Bank – Northeast and Insight Publications announced today a new event designed to help innovators capitalize on great ideas. The event is called THINC! Innovation and consists of two back-to-back events.

THINC! is part one, brought to you by Insight Publications. THINC! will kick off at 7:30 a.m. and feature four thought leaders who will share their innovative stories – affirming how disruptive ideas are challenging the status quo all over the region.

Whether you are a business owner, an entrepreneur or “intrapreneur” at your company, a guru or protégé; of innovation, the Technology & Human Innovation Networking Conference is sure to tweak your train of thought. Following a light breakfast during registration, four thought leaders will provoke you with their innovation stories, told in “bursts.” Their THINC! Talks will affirm how disruptive ideas are challenging the status quo all over the region – and why we must embrace innovation to build our economy. The New North Small Business & Entrepreneur Committee will announce its “Fast Forward” collaborative process for bringing innovation to capitalization, followed by high-powered networking.

Can the New North be the next Silicon Valley? Come and THINC! about it. Featured speakers include Cheryl Perkins of Innovationedge in Neenah, Neal Verfuerth of Orion Energy Systems in Manitowoc, Craig Dickman of Breakthrough Fuel in Green Bay, and Bob Pedersen of Goodwill Industries NWC.

INNOVATION TO CAPITALIZATION is part two, brought to you by First Business. INNOVATION TO CAPITALIZATION will focus on strategies to secure capital for innovations with potential.

This second event will kick off at 10:30 a.m., with The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation discussing how the state can support capitalization. Lunch includes a presentation from Alan Klapmeier, CEO of Kestrel Aircraft, and is presented by AeroInnovate. The Wisconsin Technology Council will lead the afternoon session with topics including where to go for help for your business, building the right relationship with your investors and conclude with a practice pitch (including crowd participation) from a finalist from the Governor’s Business Plan contest. The day will conclude with a networking mingle after the pitch.

The THINC! Innovation Event will be on May 24, 2012 at the EAA in Oshkosh. Tickets are only $20 if you register before May 1. Visit http://www.thincinnovationevent.com for details.

About First Business Bank – Northeast

First Business Bank – Northeast is headquartered at 3913 W. Prospect Avenue in Appleton. In addition to offering commercial loan products, First Business Bank – Northeast offers a full line of deposit, investment, and equipment finance products through its affiliates First Business Bank – Madison and First Business Trust & Investments. Among these products are: remote deposit, treasury management, Internet banking, retirement plans, investment management services, trust services, asset-based lending, and equipment finance and leasing. For additional information, call 920-734-1800.

About Insight Publications

Insight is a business-to-business publication that connects you with the people you need to know, the ideas and resources you need to know about, to make the most of your business and enjoy working and living in the New North. In a class of its own, Insight gives you articles about people and businesses you can’t wait to read, photos and story spreads you’ll want to savor. We aim to “raise the bar” in our community of 1.2 million people spread far and wide throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Insight magazine is mailed every month directly to more than 14,500 business owners and executives in all 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, and available at chambers of commerce offices, visitors’ bureaus and other key locations region wide. Our tagline: Connecting business and people in the New North. For more information, call 1-866-289-4126.

About First Business Financial Services, Inc.

First Business Financial Services (NASDAQ:FBIZ) is a Wisconsin-based bank holding company that specializes in focused financial solutions for businesses, key executives, and high net worth individuals through its operating companies. Its companies include: First Business Bank – Madison; First Business Bank – Milwaukee; First Business Bank – Northeast; First Business Trust & Investments; First Business Equipment Finance, LLC; and First Business Capital Corp. For additional information, visit http://www.firstbusiness.com or call 608-238-8008.