— The top 13 finalists in this year’s Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest are developing diverse startup ideas ranging from a cancer care decision-making tool to advanced components for next-generation electronics.
These and other ideas were highlighted yesterday during the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, hosted in Milwaukee by the Wisconsin Technology Council. Company founders each had about 7 minutes to present to an audience of their colleagues, potential investors and other attendees.
The winner of the contest will be announced today at the end of the two-day conference. Finalists include:
*Chocolate Rescue for Dogs, a Germantown company with an interventional treatment for dogs that have eaten potentially dangerous amounts of chocolate. Amadeus Benitez, the company’s CEO and co-founder, said a recent animal trial found no symptoms of chocolate poisoning among the dogs on which it was tested.
The business has raised $150,000 in an angel investment round, and plans to continue raising funds to expand marketing and fund further research and development.
*Empower2Retain, an Eau Claire business with an app designed to help make workplaces more inclusive. CEO Emily Elsner Twesme said that despite the competitive landscape for products like this, the app can foster a sense of belonging and help employers retain workers.
“We really focus on content, that’s the place where we really shine,” she said. “This content focuses on relationship building and organically integrating that … into the work that people are already doing.”
*Energy Tech Innovations, a Milwaukee company with technology for processing biogas into renewable natural gas. Company President Bryan Johnson, an experienced biogas engineer, said the product’s efficacy has been demonstrated at multiple wastewater treatment plants in the area. The company is seeking $250,000 from investors.
See full coverage at WisBusiness.com: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/top-13-finalists-in-governors-business-plan-contest-make-final-presentations/
— Ten small businesses in Wisconsin are getting up to $850,000 in total grant funding for commercialization efforts.
The funding was announced yesterday by the Center for Technology Commercialization, part of the UW System’s Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship. These dollars are part of the SBIR Advance program’s latest round of funding.
This state matching grant program, funded by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., is meant to support companies participating in the federal Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer programs, according to the release.
“The SBIR Advance program helps promising young companies, such as the ones receiving these grants, make the leap from exciting discoveries to profitable industries,” WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes said in a statement.
Recipients are grouped into two categories: Phase 1 participants, getting up to $75,000 in matching funds; and Phase 2 participants, getting up to $100,000 in matching funds each.
Phase 1 recipients include: Cellular Logistics of Sun Prairie; Estrigenix Therapeutics of Wauwatosa; Function Therapeutics of Milwaukee; ImgGyd of Middleton; Navigationis of Waunakee; and Water Intelligence, based in Milwaukee.
The Phase 2 recipients include: Adam Aerospace Corp. of Milwaukee; AIQ Solutions of Madison; Fiberstar of River Falls; and Stem Pharm of Madison.
See details on all the recipients here: https://wisconsinctc.org/news/850000-in-state-matching-grants-advance-10-innovative-small-businesses/
— A Madison-based software company called Holos is getting a $75,000 grant through a U.S. Air Force program.
The company will be using the grant dollars to explore the use of virtual reality technology to train Air Force personnel. Funding comes from AFWERX, an innovation effort within the military branch.
“We couldn’t be more excited to receive this funding, and we are beyond excited to deliver this mission-critical training platform to Airmen across Air Force Research Lab and the 711th Human Performance Wing,” CEO Daniel Borkhus said in a statement.
Holos also recently announced it has received a $1.8 million government contract focused on virtual reality software applications within the Air Force.
See more at Madison Startups: https://www.madisonstartups.com/holos-awarded-75k-sbir-grant/
— Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined a 17-state letter in support of the EPA’s proposed PFAS drinking water limits that are stricter than Wisconsin’s.
The Environmental Protection Agency in March proposed a 4 parts per trillion limit for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in public water systems, while Wisconsin has a 70 ppt limit. Many Wisconsinites have been facing “forever chemical” contamination in their water supplies, forcing them to turn to bottled drinking water in some cases.
Kaul in a statement argued national standards would help protect people’s health.
“Wisconsinites should be able to feel confident that when they turn on the faucet, the water will be safe to drink,” he said.
The AGs in the letter also ask EPA Administrator Michael Regan to make more resources available to deal with PFAS cleanup without unfairly burdening water utility payers and customers.
See the release:
— Seven metropolitan areas in Wisconsin set new record low unemployment rates in April, according to the latest federal figures.
In an email yesterday, the White House highlighted the latest findings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Metro Unemployment Report.
Metro areas with record low unemployment in April included: Appleton, with 1.9 percent; Eau Claire, 2.4 percent; La Crosse-Onalaska, 2.1 percent; Green Bay, 1.9 percent; Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, 2.7 percent; Racine, 2.7 percent; and Wausau, 2 percent.
See the report: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— Dem lawmakers are circulating a bill that would require certain insurance plans to cover maternity and newborn care as essential health benefits.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# ‘Everyone has abilities’: Statewide program provides internships to 200 Wisconsinites with disabilities
# Milwaukee fintech startup Investii repurposes platform to create new company
# The Cardinal Bar, an iconic Madison nightclub, reopens downtown
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Advancing dairy farming: Research insights for modern challenges
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=542&yr=2023
– As Wisconsin continues to lose dairy farms, a national dairy group hopes to make milk more profitable
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=544&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Milwaukee seeks ‘landmark’ development for lot by Baird Center, new Fiserv HQ
– City again seeks development proposals for long-vacant Wisconsin Avenue site
# ECONOMY
# EDUCATION
– ‘They feel like if they stay, they’re not going to survive’: Wisconsin organizations try to meet needs of asylum seekers
# HEALTH CARE
– Amid efforts to curb binge drinking in Wisconsin, large study quashes purported health benefits of alcohol
– American Cancer Society names new executive director for Milwaukee area
– Jail inmates struggling with their mental health have limitations to treatment
# LABOR
– Master Lock workers joined by Mayor Johnson at plant closing protest
# POLITICS
– Ratings agency downgrades Milwaukee credit, citing fiscal talks with state
# REAL ESTATE
– 25-story Farwell Avenue apartment tower wins final approval
# RETAIL
– Efforts to stabilize Southridge Mall taking longer than expected. What’s holding it up?
– The Buzz: A locally-owned jewelry store in Kaukauna is closing after 33 years
# SPORTS
– Madison Roller Derby hosts first traveling bout since COVID
# TECHNOLOGY
– Advancements in robotic milking systems transforming dairy farming
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=543&yr=2023
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
Dept. of Natural Resources: Celebrate National Trails Day June 3
Bank of Sun Prairie: Don Griffin joins Bank of Sun Prairie as AVP residential mortgage lender
