Category: Archived Chamber Updates
Photo by Richard Hurd
Pressure Chamber Finalists Announced for Live Pitch Contest Debuting at neXXpo on April 8
MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced today the finalists for Pressure Chamber. The new business pitch contest will be held during neXXpo: Business in Fast Forward, on Tuesday, April 8, at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall.
Pressure Chamber finalists include:
- Fishidy – Map-based social platform for fishing aficionados of all levels
Brian Jensen, President - GoStrive – Mobile search app for community activities
James Jackson, President & CEO - Intuitive Biosciences – Turn-key protein analysis tools for the life science industry
Shawn Guse, CEO - Murfie – Online marketplace of music, which make CDs and vinyls digitally viable
Matt Younkle, Co-Founder & CEO - OpenHomes – Discount brokerage directly connecting buyers and sellers through an online platform
Kelda Roys, CEO - Thalchemy – Technology to enable smartphones to sensory process information like a human brain
Andrew Nere – Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer
The presenting companies will compete for an assortment of prizes, including tickets to the prestigious Brandworks University and an invitation to join the Chamber’s summer delegation with four other Madison-area startups to pitch representatives from several prominent venture capital firms in Silicon Valley.
Chamber President Zach Brandon said the finalists reflect the high caliber of Greater Madison’s entrepreneurial community. “When looking at our finalists, you see innovations in software, hardware and bioscience,” said Brandon. “Each company presents a compelling business proposition and has the potential to scale… right here in Greater Madison.”
The live pitch competition begins at 4 p.m. in front of a panel of judges, comprised of respected regional and national investors, and a live voting audience. Pressure Chamber is supported locally by Michael Best & Friedrich, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, 4490 Ventures, Kegonsa Capital Partners, Venture Investors, Lindsay Stone & Briggs, Accelerate Madison, Capital Entrepreneurs, Great Oaks Venture Capital and Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
“One thing Pressure Chamber and this field of finalists guarantees is that the voting audience and our judges will have a tough task ahead of them,” said Brandon.
Tickets to attend neXXpo and be part of the live voting audience can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com/programs-events/neXXpo/.
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 7,000 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.
Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799
Click here for a pdf-version of this press release.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Welcome New Members — March 2014
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.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Local, Regional and National Investors Heat Up Pressure Chamber
MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced a growing list of investors that will participate in Pressure Chamber, a new pitch contest for early-stage Madison-area companies. Pressure Chamber, a concept similar to ABC’s Shark Tank, launches April 8 at neXXpo: Business in Fast Forward at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall.
“The attention and support we have received from the global investment community is a validation of our region’s reputation as a place of innovation and a home for startups,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon.
Pressure Chamber applicants will first be screened by contest partners, including local investors. The highest-rated candidates will then go on to the April 8 live pitch contest starting at 4 p.m. in front of a panel of judges that includes these respected regional and national investors:
- Chris Olsen – Drive Capital; Ohio
- Ned Hill – Mercury Fund; Texas
- Benedict Rocchio – Baird Capital; Illinois
- Greg Robinson – 4490 Ventures; Wisconsin
The national exposure continues for the live contest winner, who will join a summer delegation with four other Madison-area startups to pitch representatives from a growing list of top Silicon Valley firms, including:
- Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
- Mohr Davidow Ventures
- August Capital
- Foundation Capital
- Emergence Capital Partners
Pressure Chamber is supported locally by Michael Best & Friedrich, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, 4490 Ventures, Kegonsa Capital Partners, Venture Investors, Lindsay Stone & Briggs, Accelerate Madison and Capital Entrepreneurs.
“Access to prominent local, regional and national investment firms is a unique opportunity for our growing community of startups,” said Brandon. “We have the talent and now a visible platform to share our stories with the world.”
Companies have until March 10 to apply. To be eligible, the company must be located in Dane County and have raised at least $25,000 from private sources. The application and instructions for companies interested in competing in the Pressure Chamber along with tickets to be in the live voting audience can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com/programs-events/pressure-chamber/.
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 7,000 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.
Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799
Click here for a pdf version of the press release.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Welcome New Members — February 2014
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.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Greater Madison Chamber Takes the Lid off Pressure Chamber Pitch Competition
MADISON – Greater Madison’s most promising early-stage companies will have the chance to promote their work, connect with investors and potentially join an exclusive delegation of Madison-area startups in meetings with global venture investment firms, all as part of a new business pitch contest called Pressure Chamber. The live competition will be held in conjunction with the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce neXXpo: Business in Fast Forward on April 8 at the Alliant Energy Center.
Chamber President Zach Brandon said the contest is another example of the Chamber’s work to support new business creation and visibility for the area’s growing startup community.
“There are many examples of new business innovation happening right here, right now,” said Brandon. “The Pressure Chamber will be a stage to showcase that work at home, in Silicon Valley and beyond.”
To be eligible, companies must:
- Be members of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
- Be located in Dane County
- Have raised at least $25,000 in private equity, excluding personal investment from founders
The winner of the Pressure Chamber will join a delegation of top Greater Madison startups in a series of meetings with prominent venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, organized by the Chamber and supporting partner organizations. Brandon said the Pressure Chamber and California trip will establish new relationships, new opportunities and greater exposure for all Madison businesses.
“This is not only a significant opportunity for entrepreneurs, this is an opportunity for Greater Madison to be recognized nationally as a place where talented people are building great businesses,” said Brandon. “Our message will be: if we are not already on your radar, we should be. Because this region is what is next.”
The Pressure Chamber is presented by Michael Best & Friedrich with support from the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Accelerate Madison, Capital Entrepreneurs, Kegonsa Capital Partners and Venture Investors. The application and instructions for companies interested in competing in the Pressure Chamber along with tickets to be in the live voting audience are available on the Greater Madison Chamber website.
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 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, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.
Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799
Click here for an electronic version of this press release.
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