Calling all companies! Apply for three chances to pitch at Early Stage Symposium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bram Daelemans or Tom Still at 608-442-7557

Or visit wisearlystage.com to learn more

MADISON – Applications are being accepted now from young companies that want to tell their stories to investors at our annual Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium #ESSWI, to be held Nov. 7-8 at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

The 2018 format includes two pitch opportunities – the Tech Council Investor Networks track and the popular Elevator Pitch Olympics – as well as a repeat segment that debuted in 2016, “Investor Intros,” which will allow pre-selected companies brief, one-on-one meetings with targeted angel and venture investors.

Instructions for how to apply for all or a mix of the investor presentation opportunities can be found at wisearlystage.com on the Presenting Companies tab.

All applicants must register in advance for the conference at a discounted rate of $169. Companies selected for the Tech Council Investor Networks track presentations will also receive a complimentary individual membership to the Tech Council’s Innovation Network for one year (a $120 value). Team members of these companies will be eligible to attend the conference at a special team rate.

The deadline to apply online is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28. Here are the three company forums; companies may apply for one, two or all three!

Tech Council Investor Networks Track – Wednesday, Nov. 7:

These tracks will feature more than 20 companies from the Midwest representing an array of industries, such as advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, health care, information technology, medical device and mobile application sectors.

Companies selected will have many opportunities to interest investors: a five-minute presentation, networking receptions, an executive summary published in the investor-only program and an opportunity to exhibit where investors may speak directly to presenting companies. Selected companies will also be invited to participate in a pre-conference practice session with a group of mentors.

Elevator Pitch Olympics – Thursday, Nov. 8:

Companies or entrepreneurs selected for theElevator Pitch Olympics will give a 90-second pitch in front of conference attendees and a panel of six to eight investors. The investors will score the presenter on a scale of 1 to 5, focusing on whether thepitch was compelling enough to arrange a follow-up meeting, and will offer immediate feedback.

About 15 companies will be selected for the Elevator Pitch Olympics. In past years, these have been companies just forming, seeking a smaller investment round or planning to do so within the next year.

Investor Intros – Thursday, Nov. 8:

Returning this year are the Investor Intros. Companies selected for the Investor Intros will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with investors from Wisconsin and beyond. To foster this type of communication, the Investor Intros will feature pre-scheduled, 7-minute strategic meetings between investors and emerging companies. This format will resemble a “speed dating” exercise, allowing both parties to learn more about each other and explore potential relationships.

The conference will also feature:

Speakers, panel discussions and workshops featuring leading entrepreneurs, investors and others tied to the tech sector.
“Office Hours,” offering the opportunity to meet with subject experts on a variety of topics in small discussion groups or one-on-one.
The 5th annual “Excellence in Entrepreneurial Education” award presentation and luncheon.
Exhibit hall showcasing more than 40 Wisconsin companies.
A Nov. 6 Wisconsin WOMEN reception (Women, Opportunities, Mentors, Networking, Entrepreneurs). This event is open to both men and women.
A Nov. 7 conference reception, two luncheons, two breakfasts and other networking opportunities, including an investors-only dinner.
The Tech Council produces the conference. Sponsors so far include: 100state, Aberdean Consulting, Accuray, ACS, American Transmission Co., AT&T, Aurora Health Care, Baird Capital, Baker Tilly, Barb Luhring Graphic Recording, BDO, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, BMO Harris, Carroll University, CGI, City of Fitchburg, Concordia University, Cresa Madison, Dane County Regional Airport, Dedicated Computing, DXC Technology, Enbridge, Eppstein Uhen Architects, Exact Sciences, Findorff, First Business Bank, Fluno Center, Foley & Lardner, Functional Biosciences, Godfrey & Kahn, HealthX Ventures, Husch Blackwell, JP Cullen, M3 Insurance, Madison College, Madison Gas & Electric, Makin’ HEY! Communications, Merchant & Gould, Michael Best, Midwest Prototyping, Technology Innovation Center – MKE, N29 Capital Partners, Neider & Boucher, Northwestern Mutual, Red Arrow Production, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, River Valley Bank, Square 1 Bank, Sun Mountain Kegonsa, Tech Council board member Susan Healy, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, University Research Park, UW-Green Bay, UWM Research Foundation, Venture Investors, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Wisconsin Health & Educational Facility Authority, Whitewater University Technology Park, WIPFLi, Yahara Software and Ziegler.

Learn more and register at wisearlystage.com.

Savant Capital Management Launches Women’s Wealth Initiative

MADISON, Wis. (August 28, 2018) – Savant Capital Management, a nationally-recognized, fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, with additional locations in Madison and Park Falls, today announced the launch of its new Women’s Wealth Initiative, an inclusive program developed to empower more women toward achieving their life and financial goals.

The mission of the Women’s Wealth Initiative is to inspire, inform, and empower women to pursue their best financial futures through educational events, networking opportunities, and resources on financial planning topics specific to women.

Press Release – Savant Capital Management Launches Womens Wealth Initiative_Madison

Summit Credit Union Announced as Presenting Sponsor for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Wisconsin Conference

September 11, 2018, Madison, Wisconsin – Summit Credit Union will be the Presenting Sponsor for the second annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Wisconsin (WEDWisconsin) on Monday, November 19, 2018. Women leaders in tech, business, science, non-profit, and education will come together to celebrate, empower and support each other at this full-day conference to be held at the Monona Terrace.

“Summit is proud to sponsor Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Wisconsin and to be a part of a global celebration of the powerful impact women make when we lead in business.” said Summit Credit Union CEO & President Kim Sponem. “We know that investing in women entrepreneurs is a win-win for our community and a powerful engine for growth, innovation, and social change both locally and globally. We embrace this opportunity to convene and empower women leaders and entrepreneurs from across Wisconsin and to support them in building viable, sustainable enterprises.”

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) ignites women leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to initiate startups, drive economic expansion, and advance communities worldwide. The flagship United Nations event is celebrated in 144 countries and by 165 universities/colleges internationally.

Women in the U.S. are now starting businesses at twice the rate of men. Between 2007 and 2016, the number of women-owned firms increased by 45%, compared to just a 9% increase among all businesses according to American Express Open’s research. Over the past nine years, the number of women-owned firms has grown at a rate five times faster than the national average.

“WEDWisconsin is privileged to be working with Summit Credit Union to again bring this preeminent event to women business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders in this region,” explained Laura Gallagher, Wisconsin’s Ambassador for WEDWisconsin and President of The Creative Company. “They are wisely investing in the future of Wisconsin by investing in the economic hope and future for women business owners and leaders. Summit Credit Union’s commitment to financial literacy, to financial inclusion and to community and economic development make them an ideal partner. We are thrilled to have them on board and leading the way!”

Tickets are on sale now at an Early Bird discount rate. For more information, visit the WEDWisconsin website.

About Summit Credit Union
Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $3.1 billion in assets and has more than 180,000 members and 580 employees across 36 locations throughout south-central and southeastern Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560. For additional media information, visit https://www.summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Wisconsin
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Wisconsin (WEDWisconsin) is the first-of-its-kind day meant to empower, celebrate, inspire, and support women in business and leadership by igniting women leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to initiate startups, drive economic expansion and advance communities. More at: WEDWisconsin.org.

About Laura Gallagher, Ambassador for WEDWisconsin
Laura Gallagher is a community, local and national business leader serving successful entrepreneurial companies and nonprofit organizations primarily in Wisconsin. In 2016, she was recognized by the Governor as a Trailblazer in Wisconsin. She is the founder and CEO of The Creative Company and is a 2017 Alumni of Babson College’s 10,000 Businesses Program with a Certificate of Entrepreneurship and a 2016 graduate of Harvard Professor Michael Porter’s Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. The Creative Company is certified by the State of Wisconsin as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise.

About Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) is the world’s largest entrepreneurial and financial empowerment initiative dedicated to celebrating, supporting and empowering women worldwide. WED encourages four billion women worldwide to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, with the goal of bringing hope and alleviating poverty. More at: womenseday.org.

Flexible Workspace Pioneer, Spaces, Signs Lease at Gebhardt Building

Lease at Gebhardt Building
Madison, WI (September 10, 2018) – Gebhardt Development announced today that Spaces, the pioneer in creative co-working offerings, has signed a lease for 34,000 square feet in the newly constructed Gebhardt Building located at 811 E. Washington Avenue in Madison. This lease brings the project to 100% occupancy.

The Gebhardt Building is an 8-story mixed-use development reflecting a modern, contemporary industrial aesthetic and totaling nearly 170,000 square feet. The office component of the project is co-anchored by Spaces and Google. The building also boasts a 2,500-person, 45,000 square foot music venue called the Sylvee by Frank Productions and a 7,300 square foot brew pub by Vintage Brewing. The project has multiple outdoor gathering options including rooftop patios and an adjacent street level pocket park and plaza. Ample use of floor to ceiling glass showcases views of the Capitol and lakes afforded by this central Isthmus location.

Spaces, which is set to open in the Gebhardt Building in early 2019, has been specifically designed to meet the needs of a variety of business models and growth stages by offering a wide range of creative, flexible workspace options. The company leased floors 3, 4 and 5 of the building and plans to open their doors in 2019. Spaces was represented by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) and Gebhardt Development was represented by Key Commercial Real Estate.

“Madison is emerging as a major Midwest technology hub and is consistently ranked as a top small city for fostering talent across the board. It was a natural location choice as we continue our U.S. expansion and the Gebhardt Building proved to be an ideal spot for our debut into the city,” said Michael Berretta, Vice President of Network Development for IWG, which owns Spaces. “It is one of Madison’s most unique collaborative buildings, situated in a vibrant and diverse district.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about rental space can contact Spaces at 1-844-6-SPACES or visit

Nancy Maloy joins NGL as Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary

Madison, Wis. (September 10, 2018) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), a mutual insurance company located in Madison, Wis., announced the appointment of Nancy Maloy as Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary. Maloy will oversee all actuarial activities for NGL, including business development, pricing, valuation, forecasting and liability management.

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