Year: 2015
Photo by Richard Hurd
Kevin Little Named Vice President of Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced today that Kevin Little will serve as the organization’s new Vice president. In this role, Little will lead the Chamber’s external relations, including its political advocacy, economic development, communications, programming and events.
Previously, Little served as the Chamber’s Director of Public Policy and more recently as the Managing Director of Economic Development. Chamber President Zach Brandon said Little’s diverse blend of experience and established relationships in the region will enable the organization to accelerate its external activity to serve its nearly 1,300 business members.
“As we accelerate and compete on a global level, our ability to effectively communicate greater Madison’s brand and economic opportunity while strengthening the Chamber’s business advocacy and value to our members requires talent with deep local knowledge and a committed focus,” Brandon said. “With the talent we have in place, the Chamber and greater Madison have never been better positioned.”
Little says he looks forward to the work ahead, noting the encouraging economic trends and opportunities for greater Madison’s business community.
“There has never been a more exciting and meaningful time to be doing this work, especially in a place with as much potential as greater Madison, and an organization with as much momentum as the Chamber,” said Little. “I look forward to contributing more in this new role to serve our valued members, support our talented team and community partners, and capitalize on this opportunistic moment for our region.”
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 8,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Statement: Chamber Disappointed by Unexpected Kraft Heinz Closure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 4, 2015)
Contact: Kevin Little, Managing Director of Economic Development, 608-443-1949
MADISON – In response to today’s decision by the Kraft Heinz Company to close its Madison operations, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon released the following statement:
“To say this unexpected news is both sad and unfortunate is an understatement. Oscar Mayer is deeply rooted in Madison’s history, and we expected it would be a part of greater Madison’s next chapter.
Nearly 100 years ago, the Mayer brothers saw great opportunity and purchased a failing meat-packing plant in Madison. As a community, we grew with Oscar Mayer and took pride in its success. Over the years, the company has not only been a major employer, it has been a major investor in our community institutions.
Today, our attention turns to the employees, families, and suppliers affected by this decision, and the need for coordinated, intentional, public and private economic development efforts to ensure greater Madison continues to be a place of great opportunity.”
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 8,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Greater Madison Startups Return to Silicon Valley
Chamber Bringing top emerging companies to represent ecosystem and meet with investors
MADISON – Some of Greater Madison’s most promising startups are headed west to meet with prominent venture capital firms next week as part of a regional business delegation led by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. The trip marks a return visit for the Chamber, state economic development partners and emerging business startups, all working together to promote the economic momentum in Greater Madison’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Greater Madison is entering a new Golden Era in business, led by competitive innovation sectors and a rapidly-scaling entrepreneurial landscape,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “As we continue to build and compete with cities across the globe, it is imperative that we travel with purpose and actively tell our story as a world-class place to build and invest.”
The Silicon Valley trip is the culmination of the Chamber’s popular Pressure Chamber pitch competition, this year held in conjunction with the Forward Technology Festival. A crowd of more than 400 attendees and a panel of invited out-of-state investors crowned Katie Brenner and the team at bluDiagnostics winner, and with it, an all-expenses paid guaranteed spot on the coveted trip. BluDiagnostics’ win caps a big year for the life sciences startup, having also won the Doyenne Group’s 5x5x5 pitch event and the statewide Governor’s Business Plan Competition.
Joining bluDiagnostics will be four equally exciting companies representing different strengths of Greater Madison’s economy, including health, tech and gaming. They include:
- Fetch Rewards – A mobile application that allows shoppers to scan items as they shop, receive real-time savings and virtual cash back, and track their spending and checkout with the scan of a single barcode on their phone.
- Healthmyne – Provides clinicians with real-time evidence-based imaging insights and solutions that significantly aid improved decision-making for optimized patient care and reduced care delivery cost.
- PerBlue – An independent mobile gaming company with a strong portfolio of mid-core progression based Role-playing and Strategy games, including DragonSoul, Titan Empires, and Greed for Glory.
- Redox – The modern API for healthcare integration, Redox connects to existing health system infrastructure, helping developers integrate with EHRs and health systems manage their connections to the cloud.
“We are proud to connect coastal investment to a sampling of our talent and business opportunities,” said Brandon. “We look forward to a productive trip, making new connections, strengthening existing ties and being an ambassador for all of the innovation happening throughout Greater Madison.”
The trip begins with a tour of Googleplex, Google’s Headquarters, made possible by the growing Google hub in Madison. Later in the evening an exclusive invite-only dinner will provide an opportunity for investor interaction and private discussion with business partners. The following day will include company pitches with a dozen global investment firms, followed by a reception sponsored by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation with support from the Badger Entrepreneurship Forum, a Bay-area organization of UW-Madison alumni.
Pressure Chamber and the Silicon Valley trip are supported by Michael Best & Friedrich, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, American Family Ventures, Baird Capital, 4490 Ventures, HealthX Ventures, Lindsay Stone & Briggs, Three Oaks Venture Fund and Venture Investors.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Chamber Urges Immediate Action to Avoid Multi-Year Road Work Delays
Today the Chamber sent a letter to state legislative leaders and Governor Walker, urging immediate action to avoid multi-year delays to critical road projects including I-39/90 and Verona Road. For business, economic, mobility and safety reasons, multi-year delays are just plain unacceptable.
Ideally, we would like to see long-term transportation finance reform to provide sustainable revenue sources for projects. In the short-term, however, immediate options must be considered, including use of the budgeted contingency bonding, to lessen the impact on these critical projects.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Welcome New Members – September 2015
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce welcomes these new members. Please keep these companies in mind when doing business. View the complete directory listing of all Chamber members.