Wisconsin Technology Council: Microsoft, AI and manufacturing: Learn more Nov. 14 at Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium

MADISON, Wis. – Microsoft Corp’s $3.3-billion data center project in the Racine County Town of Mount Pleasant will come with a unique focus on manufacturing, which is a pillar of the state economy. What’s next in the development plans and how will they unfold over time?

The size and scope of Microsoft’s data center project will be the subject of the Nov. 14 morning keynote at the in-person 2024 Early Stage Symposium.Panelists are Balamurugan Balakreshnan, chief artificial intelligence officer WMW/chief architect for Microsoft, and Joe Hamann, executive director of the UW-Milwaukee’s Connected Systems Institute.

Wisconsin is one of the nation’s most manufacturing-intensive states, with $71.5 billion in gross domestic product, about 9,000 companies of all sizes and nearly 500,000 manufacturing jobs – which equates to one in six workers in the state’s total workforce. For that sector to grow, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence will need to be integrated from the production line to the back office and across the supply chain

“This data center stands to be the manufacturing AI hub for Microsoft, and it is possible for companies of all sizes to benefit through alignment with the company and the Connected Systems Institute,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. “We’ll learn more about why the region and the state are ripe for innovation.”

Applications are being accepted through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 from young companies that want to tell their stories to investors during the in-person conference at Madison’s Monona Terrace Convention Center.

The investors attending thus far include: Baird Capital, BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation, Chippewa Valley Angel Investors Network, CSA Partners, Gateway Capital Partners, gener8tor, Golden Angels Investors, Great North Ventures, HealthX Ventures, Hyde Park Venture Partners, Idea Fund of La Crosse, Inventure Capital, Madison Development Corp., Milwaukee Venture Partners, Serra Ventures, TitletownTech, Tundra Angels, Venture Investors, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Venture Debt Fund, Wisconsin Investment Partners, Wisconsin River Business Angels, WISC Partners, Yahara Ventures and Ziegler Link-Age Funds. More will be announced soon! Are you an investor who wants to meet with young companies? Email angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com for more information.

Instructions for how to apply for all or a mix of the investor presentation opportunities can be found at wisearlystage.com on the “ESS Application” tab.

General registration is also now open by clicking here!

To enhance greater access for entrepreneurs, our registration fees are affordable. At least one representative from each applicant company is required to register in advance at the newly discounted rate of $129. Additional team members may register for $99 per person. Student discounts will continue to be offered for all students, including graduate students.

The registration fee includes two breakfasts, two lunches and a reception as well as getting your company summary and contact information in the investor-only conference booklets. Some young companies will be eligible for conference “scholarships” to help defray registration costs. Contact angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com after applying to learn about eligibility; early applicants will receive first consideration.

The deadline to apply online is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. The conference will also feature:

  • National keynote speakers and targeted panel discussions featuring leading entrepreneurs, investors and others tied to the tech sector making an impact nationwide.
  • The 11th annual “Excellence in Entrepreneurial Education” award presentation and luncheon.
  • Exhibit hall showcasing innovative Wisconsin companies.
  • A Nov. 13 conference reception, two luncheons, two breakfasts and other networking opportunities, including an investors-only dinner.

The Tech Council produces the conference. Sponsors thus far include: Advocate Aurora HealthAmazonark data centersArrowhead PharmaceuticalsAT&TATCBaird CapitalBaker TillyBDOBusiness FitnessCity of FitchburgCLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), DeWittEUAExact SciencesFindorffFirst Business BankFoley & Lardnergener8torGodfrey & KahnGoogleHealthX VenturesHusch BlackwellIn Business MagazineIsthmus ProjectKW2Lost Boys InteractiveM3 InsuranceMadison Development Corp., Madison Gas & ElectricMakin’ Hey! CommunicationsMarquette UniversityMcCloneMichael BestMicrosoftMorgridge Institute for ResearchNeider & BoucherOne City SchoolsORIN Remediation TechnologiesQuarles & BradyRaven SoftwareReinhart Boerner Van DeurenRSM USRuder WareSadoff E-Recycling & Data DestructionSustainableHR PEOState of Wisconsin Investment BoardTechnology Entrepreneurship Office at UW-MadisonTechnology Innovation Center – MilwaukeeUMOS One Workforce – TechStarsUniversity Research ParkUWM Research FoundationUW-Madison Center for Dairy ResearchUW-Madison Dept. of Computer SciencesUW-Madison Office of Business EngagementVC3Venture Investorsvon Briesen & RoperWalmartWIPFLiWisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & LettersWisconsin Alumni Research FoundationWisconsin Center for Manufacturing & ProductivityWisconsin Counties AssociationWisconsin Dept. of Financial InstitutionsWisconsin Economic Development Corp., Wisconsin Energy InstituteWisconsin Historical SocietyYahara Software and Ziegler Link-Age Funds.


To learn more about sponsorships, email Angela Schlobohm at: angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.