MADISON, Wis. – A growing list of investors from Wisconsin, the Upper Midwest and beyond will attend the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, to be held in person Nov. 13-14 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.
Companies that apply for the conference will have up to three chances to meet with angel and venture capitalists, corporate funds, family funds and other investors on hand. The 2024 format includes two pitch opportunities – the Tech Council Investor Networks track (five-minute presentations) and the popular Elevator Pitch Olympics. All registered companies are eligible for “Investor Intros,” which allow pre-selected companies brief, one-on-one meetings with targeted angel and venture investors.
Previously announced was the Startup World Cup collaboration with the Wisconsin Technology Council to help make statewide startups available for this initiative. One company among the two-dozen or so selected to pitch in the Tech Council Investor Networks track will be picked to take part in the Startup World Cup’s 2025 conference, where the grand prize winner will take home a $1-million investment.
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, 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.
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.
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 Health, Amazon, ark data centers, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals,AT&T, ATC, Baird Capital, Baker Tilly, BDO, Business Fitness, City of Fitchburg, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), DeWitt, EUA, Exact Sciences, Findorff, First Business Bank, Foley & Lardner, gener8tor, Godfrey & Kahn, Google, HealthX Ventures, Husch Blackwell, In Business Magazine, Isthmus Project, KW2,Lost Boys Interactive, M3 Insurance, Madison Development Corp., Madison Gas & Electric, Makin’ Hey! Communications, Marquette University, McClone,Michael Best, Microsoft, Morgridge Institute for Research, Neider & Boucher, One City Schools, ORIN Remediation Technologies, Quarles & Brady, Raven Software, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, RSM US, Ruder Ware, Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction, SustainableHR PEO, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Technology Entrepreneurship Office at UW-Madison, Technology Innovation Center – Milwaukee, UMOS One Workforce – TechStars,University Research Park, UWM Research Foundation, UW-Madison Center for Dairy Research, UW-Madison Dept. of Computer Sciences, UW-Madison Office of Business Engagement, VC3, Venture Investors, von Briesen & Roper, Walmart, WIPFLi, Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters,Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Dept. of Financial Institutions, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Wisconsin Energy Institute, Wisconsin Historical Society, Yahara Software and Ziegler Link-Age Funds.
To learn more about sponsorship information, please reach out to Angela Schlobohm at angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.
