Wisconsin Tech Council: ‘Grow’ panels tackle young company challenges June 6 at Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – How entrepreneurs can work with trusted collaborators and challenges women face as entrepreneurs will be discussed during the “Grow” panel discussion track at the June 6 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference.

The conference at the Italian Community Center returns to the “Cream City” to celebrate the region’s rise as a startup and scale-up hub within the Midwest. Registration is open at witrepsconference.com or linked here.

The “GROW” track is one of three conference tracks open to all attendees at the 22nd annual conference. Panel discussions in the “Grow” track are:

10 a.m. June 6 – 1+1=3: How founders can work with trusted collaborators
Entrepreneurs often have people tugging at them from all directions … but who can help them walk the straightest line to success while building mutual trust along the way? Whether public or private, trusted advisers are out there and can be found by those who look.

Moderated by Jeff Bannink, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. Panelists are Aymen Azim, Technova Industries; and Tom Quinn, Marquette Energy Analytics

11 a.m. June 6 – Challenges women face as entrepreneurs and investors: Increasing women founders access to funding

Many challenges encountered by women entrepreneurs are more subtle than overt. They include struggles to be taken seriously or being able to “own” their accomplishments without coming off as bragging. At the end, however, it can boil down to finding investors who understand female-oriented market needs can be different. Our panel will examine ways that women can succeed in a male-dominated field.

Moderated by Stephanie Melnick, Melnick & Melnick/She Stands Tall. Panelists are Laura Hilty, HeatlhX Ventures; Bre Loughlin, Nurse Disrupted; and Toni Sikes, CODAworx

The “Launch” panels were recently announced and “Succeed” tracks will be announced soon. Attendees may attend all or parts of any track.

Mapping the entrepreneurial mind is the theme of the conference, where entrepreneurs from around the state will showcase their ideas, services and technologies. Six panel tracks formed under three unique stages of “launch,” “grow” and “succeed” will appeal to entrepreneurs in all stages. Detailed panel information will be posted soon at witrepsconference.com.

Produced by the Tech Council, the Entrepreneurs’ Conference is among the largest and affordable events for entrepreneurs and early stage investors in the Upper Midwest. Other highlights will include:

  • Diligent (Baker’s) Dozen: Top 13 finalists from the Governor’s Business Plan Contest square off on the afternoon of June 5
  • Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” 2024 award winner, Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter award ceremony
  • Governor’s Business Plan Contest “Diligent Dozen” awards announcements June 6
  • Innovation Showcase featuring exhibits from Wisconsin companies
  • Plenty of chances to network with seasoned entrepreneurs and investors over food and refreshments, including a June 5 reception at the Italian Community Center

Sponsors thus far are: Affiliated EngineersAppleArrowhead PharmaceuticalsAT&TBaird CapitalBaker TillyBDOBusiness FitnessCenter for Technology CommercializationCity of FitchburgCity of Milwaukee Office of Equity & InclusionCLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)DeWittFindorffFirst Business BankFoley & LardnerGodfrey & KahnHusch BlackwellIdeal BuildersJ.P. MorganLost Boys InteractiveMadison Development Corp.Madison Gas & ElectricMakin’ HEY! CommunicationsMarquette UniversityN29 Capital PartnersNeider & BoucherNuvaBoxPerkins CoieQuarles & BradyRaven SoftwareReinhart Boerner Van DeurenRuder WareSadoff E-Recycling & Data DestructionSustainableHR PEOTechnology Innovation Center – MilwaukeeUniversity Research ParkUW-Madison Center for Dairy ResearchUW-Madison College of EngineeringUW-Madison Innovate NetworkUW-Madison Office of Business EngagementUW-Madison Office of University Relations, VC3Venture InvestorsWisconsin Alumni Research FoundationWE EnergiesWisconsin Economic Development Corp.Whitewater University Innovation CenterWisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & LettersWisconsin Counties AssociationWisconsin Technical College System and Yahara Software.

To become a sponsor, contact Angela Schlobohm at angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com. For more information, visit witrepsconference.com or call 608-442-7557.