MADISON, Wis. – Erik Iverson, chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, will join Tech Council President Tom Still for a Nov. 13 keynote conversation to launch the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium. The conference will be held in-person at the Monona Terrace Convention Center.
General registration is also now open by clicking here!
Known as WARF, the foundation became the nation’s first university technology transfer organization when it was established in 1925 by University of Wisconsin scientist Harry Steenbock of Vitamin D fame to provide a better system for patenting novel inventions.
Today, it has evolved into a platform for investors to help commercialize early stage technologies while giving back to the UW-Madison and beyond – all the while serving as an innovation policy voice nationally and internationally. Since becoming chief executive officer in 2016, Iverson has led efforts to expand WARF’s lines of business and its investment arm.
“We’re excited that Erik Iverson can join us for a discussion as WARF turns the corner on 100 years and looks to the future,” Still said. The “fireside chat” session will begin at 8:30 a.m.
The conference will also feature:
- A Nov. 14 keynote session featuring Microsoft and its planned data center
- Targeted panel discussions featuring leading entrepreneurs, investors and others tied to state, regional and national tech sectors
- Two-dozen companies pitching in the five-minute Tech Council Investor Networks pitch sessions, where one founder can ‘win’ and advance to Startup World Cup competition in October 2025
- 15-plus startups pitching in the 90-second Elevator Pitch Olympics on the afternoon of Nov. 14
- 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, Fine Point Consulting, 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, TriNet, 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
