MADISON, Wis. – Roughly 15 years after the nearly defunct firm was moved from Boston to Madison, Exact Sciences has become a world leader in cancer diagnostics. Learn more about the company’s continued rise from chairman and chief executive officer Kevin Conroy 8:45 a.m. Thursday, June 5, in a keynote address at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference.
The two-day, annual conference begins June 4 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison. It returns to Wisconsin’s capital 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.
Conroy became CEO of Exact Sciences in 2009 and chairman in 2014. He led the company through the development and commercialization of its non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test, Cologuard®, which became the first medical device or diagnostic to receive simultaneous approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as national Medicare coverage.
Over time, Conroy has overseen Exact’s acquisition of more than 10 companies, including Genomic Health, Thrive, PreventionGenetics, Ashion and Biomatrica. With more than 6,500 employees today, it continues to innovate through tests that help prevent cancer, detect it earlier and guide successful treatment. Recent examples are the launches of the Oncodetect Molecular Residual Disease Test and Cologuard Plus.
“Kevin’s pursuit of excellence in health care is evidenced by the continued growth of Exact Sciences,” Tech Council President Tom Still said. “He won the Tech Council’s ‘Seize the Day’ award in 2020 for his vision; he and his team continue to innovate.”
Students, veterans and entrepreneurs whose companies are three years old and under can attend the two-day conference for $79; the general admission rate is $279. More information on all other fees can be found at witrepsconference.com.
“Building bridges for Wisconsin’s emerging economy” is the conference theme, which underscores that entrepreneurs from across the state can showcase their ideas, services and technologies. Detailed session 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 4;
- An investor only meeting on the afternoon of June 4;
- “Open Mic” pitches featuring 30 entrepreneurs from across Wisconsin;
- Lunch and speech from Scott Becker where each lunch attendee will receive a free copy of Becker’s book “The Entrepreneur’s Edge”
- Governor’s Business Plan Contest “Diligent Dozen” awards announcements June 5;
- Innovation Showcase featuring exhibits from Wisconsin companies, and;
- Plenty of chances to network with seasoned entrepreneurs and investors over food and refreshments, including a June 4 reception on the roof of Monona Terrace, weather permitting.
Sponsors thus far are: Affiliated Engineers, Amazon, Apple, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, ATC, Baird Capital, Baker Tilly, BDO, Business Fitness, Center for Technology Commercialization, City of Fitchburg, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), Dairyland Power Cooperative, Findorff, Fine Point Consulting, First Business Bank, Foley & Lardner, Godfrey & Kahn, HealthX Ventures, Husch Blackwell, J.P. Morgan, Kimberly-Clark, Madison College, Madison Development Corp., Madison Gas & Electric, Makin’ HEY! Communications, Marquette University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Microsoft, Neider & Boucher, Novii CPA, Perkins Coie, Quarles & Brady, Raven Software, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, SustainableHR PEO, Technology Innovation Center – Milwaukee, UMOS One Workforce-TechStars, University Research Park, UW-Madison Center for Dairy Research, UW-Madison College of Engineering, UW-Madison Dept. of Computer Sciences, UW-Madison Innovate Network, UW-Madison Office of Business Engagement, UWM Research Foundation, VC3, Venture Investors, Whitewater University Innovation Center, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, Wisconsin 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.
