Wisconsin Union: U.S. Spaceflight Record-Holding Astronaut Scott Kelly to Speak on Year-Long Space Travel at Free Event at Memorial Union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 19, 2022

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director, Wisconsin Union
Office: (608) 262-8862
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu

U.S. SPACEFLIGHT RECORD-HOLDING ASTRONAUT SCOTT KELLY TO SPEAK ON YEAR-LONG SPACE TRAVEL AT FREE EVENT AT MEMORIAL UNION
Retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy captain will headline the first event of the 2022-23 Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series

MADISON – With 200 million miles of space travel under his belt, former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly has seen the world from many angles – and 8,300 orbits – and will share his story at a free Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) Committee-hosted talk on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in Shannon Hall at Memorial Union. 

The event, titled “An Evening with Captain Scott Kelly: The Sky Is Not The Limit,” will feature a 90-minute talk and Q&A session with Kelly on his extensive space travel. No tickets are necessary – admission is free and open to the public. The WUD DLS Committee will provide live captioning during the event.

Kelly completed four space flights including two stays as commander on the International Space Station, one of which lasted a record-breaking 340 days in 2015. During his mission, called “A Year in Space,” he conducted three spacewalks and studied how longer periods in space affect the human body. TIME Magazine documented his journey in a video series and an Emmy Award-winning PBS special.

He authored New York Times bestsellers, “Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery,” an autobiography chronicling his experience during his longest space trip, and “Infinite Wonder,” a collection of his photographs from the International Space Station. Kelly’s most recent book, “Ready for Launch: An Astronaut’s Lessons for Success on Earth,” was published April 12.

Not only the recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross, Kelly is also a fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a member of the Association of Space Explorers.

“The best part was the challenge of doing something incredibly complicated and risky, working hard at it, and being successful,” Kelly said on being an astronaut in an interview with Harvard Business Review. “You’ve got to put a lot in, and you need the help of many, many people on the ground and in space to do it. So there’s a lot of teamwork, a lot of collaboration.”

The WUD DLS Committee brings engaging and influential people to the UW–Madison campus to encourage thought-provoking conversations. WUD includes 11 committees and six Wisconsin Hoofers clubs that program thousands of events each year.

Patrons can learn more about the upcoming free talk featuring Kelly here.

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About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series Committee

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series Committee contributes to the educational experience of University of Wisconsin–Madison students, Wisconsin Union members and community members by bringing engaging and influential people to campus. Founded in 1987, the series aims to expose the campus community to a diverse and vibrant array of people, backgrounds, and ideas. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/dls.

[Click here to download photos of Scott Kelly. Photos courtesy of Scott Kelly.]

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/about/news/scott-kelly.

Wisconsin Technology Council: Apply for three chances to pitch at Early Stage Symposium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe Kremer or Tom Still at 608-442-7557

Or visit wisearlystage.com to learn more

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

MADISON, Wis. – Applications are being accepted now from young companies that want to tell their stories to investors at our annual Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, planned for an in-person format Nov. 9-10 at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

The 2022 format includes two pitch opportunities – the Tech Council Investor Networks track (five-minute presentations) and the 90-second Elevator Pitch Olympics – as well as “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 “ESS Application” tab.

General registration is also now open by clicking here!

At least one applicant must register in advance for the conference at a discounted rate of $179. Additional team members may register at the rate of $129. As always, student discounts will be available. 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 registrants will receive first consideration.

The deadline to apply online is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7.

Here are the three company forums; companies may apply for one, two or all three opportunities to be seen, heard and make a splash!

Tech Council Investor Networks Track – Wednesday, Nov. 9:

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 and an executive summary published in the investor-only program. Selected companies will also be invited to participate in a pre-conference practice session with a group of mentors.

Elevator Pitch Olympics – Thursday, Nov. 10:

Companies or entrepreneurs selected for the Elevator Pitch Olympics will give a 90-second pitch in front of conference attendees and a panel of investors. The investors will score the presenter on a scale of 1 to 5, focusing on whether the pitch 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. There are crystal awards for the top presenters!

Investor Intros – Thursday, Nov. 10:

Companies selected for the popular 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, 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:

• National keynote speakers and targeted panel discussions featuring leading entrepreneurs, investors and others tied to the tech sector making an impact nationwide.
• The 9^th annual “Excellence in Entrepreneurial Education” award presentation and luncheon.
• Exhibit hall showcasing innovative Wisconsin companies.
• A Nov. 9 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: Aberdean Consulting, Advocate Aurora Health, American Transmission Co., AT&T, Baird Capital, Baker Tilly, BDO, City of Fitchburg, Concordia University, DeWitt, EUA, Exact Sciences, Findorff, First Business Bank, Godfrey & Kahn, Google, HealthX Ventures, Husch Blackwell, KW2, M3 Insurance, Madison Development Corp., Madison Gas & Electric, Makin’ Hey Communications, Marquette University, Michael Best, Mobile22, Morgridge Institute for Research, N29 Capital Partners, Neider & Boucher, One City Schools, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, RSM US, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Tech Council board member Susan Healy, UMOS One Workforce – TechStars, University Research Park, UWM Research Foundation, UW-Madison Computer Sciences, UW-Madison Office of Business Engagement, Venture Investors, Versiti, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., WIPFLi, Wisconsin Dept. of Financial Institutions and Ziegler.

To learn more about sponsorship information, please reach out to Angela Schlobohm at angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.  

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Colectivo Coffee & UW–Madison Partner Together for New Coffee

Media Contact:
Marissa Worzella
marissaw@colectivocoffee.com
Office: 414.837.4446
Cell: 608.558.9830

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2022

Colectivo Coffee & UW-Madison Partner Together for New Coffee

Milwaukee, WI- Colectivo Coffee Roasters is excited to announce its newest coffee: Wisconsin Badger Blend. In partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the coffee proudly features an artistic illustration of Bucky the Badger and aims to unite Badger fans and coffee enthusiasts everywhere.

Colectivo, a Milwaukee-based coffee roastery known for its coffee sourced from origin and made-from-scratch food, has three cafes in Madison, including one on State Street in the heart of the UW-Madison campus.

“We love all the Badger pride here in Madison,” said Aaron Cantrall, General Manager of Colectivo State Street. “We’re thrilled to launch this pairing of team spirit and delicious coffee just in time for the new school year.”

The coffee has notes of plum, dark chocolate and concord grape with a medium body and is Fair Trade Organic Certified. It will be available in 12 ounce bags at all Wisconsin Colectivo locations, plus online for shipping across the US.

The blend is one of the three new college coffees Colectivo is launching this fall. Along with the Wisconsin Badger Blend, customers can find a Northwestern Wildcat Blend & a UW-Milwaukee Panther Blend- a college coffee for each of the three geographic markets they have physical cafe locations (Chicago area, Milwaukee area & Madison).

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About Colectivo: Colectivo Coffee has been dedicated to delivering a remarkable coffee experience since 1993. From its beginning, they cultivated strong, direct relationships with producers and exporters around the world to source great-tasting coffee. Each batch is roasted by hand on a pair of vintage machines in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood. Along with coffee, customers can enjoy made-from-scratch food at their cafes in Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee. Learn more at www.colectivocoffee.com

StartingBlock Founders Forum: Scale Your Startup

SEPT. 14: FREE STARTUP NETWORKING EVENT FOR ALL AT STARTINGBLOCK

Get your (free) tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startingblock-madison-presents-founder-forum-tickets-416798193617

StartingBlock Corner Office Now Available

StartingBlock – Madison’s premiere coworking space – has a 700 square foot corner office now available to rent on the fourth floor. The office includes beautiful views of Breese Stevens Field. The space is ideal for a small business or a remote team that wants to be plugged into the Madison entrepreneurial ecosystem. Parking is available alongside access to programming such as Founders Day events, podcasts, and even resident artists!

Interested parties should contact Leslie Weissburg at leslie@startingblockmadison.org or via phone at 608-467-4949.