Contact: Tom Still or Joy Sawatzki at 608-442-7557
www.WiTrepsConference.com
MADISON – Nearly 50 investors and entrepreneurs will talk about best practices, success stories – and even how they learned from failure – during panel discussions at the 11th annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, June 3-4 at Madison’s Alliant Energy Center.
Tracks within the two-day conference are built around three distinct stages that matter to all startup companies: launch, grow and succeed. Seasoned entrepreneurs, investors and others who work with emerging companies will take part in each discussion. To register, visit www.WiTrepsConference.com
The Launch Track will include these panels: “Entry strategy: When to make the leap and start your own company;” “Resources for entrepreneurs: How to find what you need;” “Beg/Borrow/Bootstrap and other funding resources;” “Marketing 1001: Effective tactics and strategies entrepreneurs need to know;” and “Taking money from strangers: When and why to take angel investment or venture capital.”
The Grow Track will feature: “Building your team: Finding the right managers and advisors;” “Lean startups: Operating a max efficiency;” “How to find (and keep) your first customers;” “Lawyer up: What you should know about corporate status, IP and due diligence;” and “Killer mistakes and how to avoid them.”
The Succeed Track will include: “How to manage your company to a successful exit;” “Wisconsin’s investment landscape: Angel, venture and beyond;” “Pursuing investors: What angels and VCs need to hear;” “Strategic alliances with large companies: Lessons learned from the Tech Summit;” and “After the applause: Staying on track after the Biz Plan Contest is over.”
In addition, a plenary session on June 4 will feature veteran entrepreneurs who have collectively raised tens of millions of dollars in investment capital. They will discuss lessons learned from successes – and a few flops.
Investors who will take part in panels include: Jim Pavlik, Baird Capital; Terry Sivesind, Silver Lining Foundation; Paul Jones, Angels on the Water; Andy Shrago, Wisconsin Investment Partners; Terry Sivesind, Silver Lining Foundation; Troy Vosseller, Gener8tor; Yumin Choi, HLM Venture Partners; Chris Olsen, Drive Capital; Greg Robinson, 4490 Ventures; Jim Schultz, Open Prairie Ventures; Frank Staniszewski, Madison Development Corp.; Dan Reed and Kyle Nakatsuji, American Family Insurance; Paul Jones, Angels on the Water; Ken Johnson, Sun Mountain Kegonsa; John Philosophos, Great Oaks Venture Capital; and Tim Keane, Golden Angels Network.
Entrepreneurs on panels include: Matt Sabljak, Spreenkler; Michael Drescher, Okanjo; Jalem Getz, Wantable; Betsy Rowbottom, The Good Jobs; Mike Tecku, Strike-a-Pose Photobooths; Travis Good, Catalyze; Chad Sorensen, RedSpark Ventures; Max Lynch, Drifty; Niko Skievaski, 100health; Terence Barry, AquaMost; Matt Younkle, Murfie; Kerry Frank, Comply365; Robert Hopton, Idle Free Systems; Natasha Vora, Iristocracy; Carmine Durham, Zurex Pharma; Matt Howard, EatStreet; Mark Bakken, Nordic Consulting; Mark Gehring, Propeller Health; Toni Sikes, CODAworx; Mark McGuire, Nextt; Abe Palmbach, Wellbe; Rimas Buinevicius, Madcelerator; Shawn Guse, Intuitive Biosciences; Liz Eversoll, SOLOMO Technology; Sarah Sandock, Dock Technologies; Eric Paulsen, WellStream Media; Michelle D’Attilo, Sõsh; Roy Elkins, Broadjam; Mark T. Nelson, Microscopy Innovations; Scott Fulton, Cellara; Janet Phillips, Vector Surgical; Scott Jens, RevelationEHR; Bonnie Reinke, Eso-Technologies; and Jonathan Fritz, Vilas Capital Management.
Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council, the annual conference is one of the largest events for entrepreneurs and early stage investors in the Upper Midwest. Other highlights:
· Nationally known speakers, such as Jack Lynch of Renaissance Learning and Dave Lambert of Internet2
· The annual Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” award, which will go to Craig and Lea Culver of Culver’s Franchising System
· Diligent Dozen: Top 12 finalists from the Governor’s Business Plan Contest square off
· Innovation Showcase featuring more than 50 companies from around the state
· Plenty of chances to connect with seasoned entrepreneurs and investors over food and refreshments
Sponsors so far include: 5Nines; Aberdean Consulting; Advocacy Consortium for Entrepreneurs; Alliant Energy; American Family Insurance; American Transmission Co.; Ascendancy Advisors; Associated Bank; AT&T; Aurora Healthcare; Baird Capital; Baker Tilly; BDO; BloodCenter of Wisconsin; BMO Harris Bank; City of Fitchburg; Cresa Madison; Data Holdings; Exact Sciences; Fine Point Consulting; First Business Bank; Godfrey & Kahn; Google; Grant Thornton; Group Health Cooperative; HP Enterprise Services; K&L Gates; Madison Gas & Electric; Marshfield Clinic Applied Sciences; Michael Best & Friedrich; Midwest Prototyping; Milwaukee Business Journal; Murphy Desmond; Neider & Boucher; Nelson Schmidt; Nordic Consulting; Quarles & Brady; Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.; Revelation PR, Advertising & Social Media; Ruedebusch Development & Construction; Tweedee Productions; University Research Park; UW Center for Dairy Research; UW Extension/Center for Technology Commercialization; UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations; UWM Research Foundation; Venture Investors; WIN Lake Superior; Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.; Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority; Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority; Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek; WTN Media; and Yahara Software. For more information and to register, visit www.witrepsconference.com.
