Businesses Encouraged to Apply Quickly as Paycheck Protection Program Kicks Off

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 3, 2020) 

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell) 

MADISON – Starting today, applications can be submitted for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a new $350 billion lending program designed to incentivize small businesses to keep their workers on payroll by providing loans of up to $10 million for payroll and certain other expenses.

Enacted as part of the CARES Act, PPP is modeled on the existing Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) program, with a 100 percent government guarantee. Employers are able to apply through current 7(a) lenders, and additional lenders will be approved for participation.

“With no guarantee funding will be available to all who need it, we strongly encourage eligible small businesses to make applying for the Paycheck Protection Program their top priority today and this weekend,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon. “This relief comes at a critical time as many businesses are struggling. This program presents a no-risk opportunity for them to continue paying their workers and covering vital expenses.”

“We are dedicated to assisting our small businesses during this difficult time, and we urge them to immediately take advantage of this valuable resource,” said gener8tor co-founder Joe Kirgues. “The more people we can keep employed, and the stronger our entrepreneurial and small business community, the quicker we can accelerate our recovery from this outbreak.”

To be eligible for the PPP, you must be a small business as defined by the SBA (typically fewer than 500 employees, but varies by business sector), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit with fewer than 500 employees, or be a sole proprietor, self-employed or an independent contractor.

Additional SBA information about the PPP can be found here.

The Paycheck Protection Program and other small business relief measures will be the focus of the next Lunch(UP)date, the Chamber’s new weekly virtual meeting where attendees can take a break and enjoy their lunch while staying connected, curious and informed. Register for this April 9 event here.

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce: 
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,200 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 10,000 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 madisonbiz.com.  

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Chamber Launches Virtual Q&A Portal for Questions about COVID-19 and Business Impact

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 19, 2020) 

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell) 

MADISON, WI – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce today launched a virtual portal for employers to be able to submit questions related to COVID-19 and its impact on business. Questions may relate to community response efforts, best practices for businesses, types of assistance available for affected businesses, and more.

“The COVID-19 outbreak is having a significant impact on many businesses, and the Chamber has been working day and night with local, state and federal authorities to inform and ensure an effective community response,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “This virtual portal is another opportunity for us to assist the community, support businesses and share important updates and information during this challenging time.”

To submit questions, visit slido.com and enter the event code #ASK4BIZ (not case-sensitive). Chamber staff, in collaboration with a team of local public-sector leaders and private-sector subject matter experts, will collect and aggregate questions and post answers in as timely a manner as possible.

Questions can also be submitted via email at ask@madisonbiz.com. Responses will be posted on the Chamber’s website at: madisonbiz.com/covid19faq

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 10,000 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 madisonbiz.com.  

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Mark Schmitz of ZEBRADOG to Receive Chamber’s 2019 “Ground Floor Award” for Small Business Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Nov. 7, 2019)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced today that Mark Schmitz, founder and creative director of ZEBRADOG, will receive the Chamber’s fourth annual Ground Floor Award for Small Business Leadership.

The award, which recognizes true champions for small business both within their business and in the community, will be presented during the Chamber’s nex7 Stage event Nov. 13 at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA). Previous recipients include Jim Garner of Sergenian’s Floor Coverings, Susan Bulgrin of Culver’s on Todd Drive and Echo Tap & Grill, and Jeff “JP” Patterson of JP Hair Design.

“Mark’s vision and innovation stretch far beyond ZEBRADOG’s offices. He and his team have created immersive experiences seen around the globe, yet he has also shared his gift and his passion with countless individuals and organizations in Greater Madison,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “For his enthusiasm, ambition, generosity and dedication to our businesses and our community, we are proud to honor Mark on the nex7 Stage with this year’s Ground Floor Award.”

A UW-Madison and Madison College graduate, Mark Schmitz formed the ZEBRADOG idea more than 25 years ago with an eye toward combining traditional and emerging design disciplines into engaging built environments. His initial vision has grown into a world-class team of exhibit architects, interior and graphic designers, producers, storytellers, writers and interactive media developers. He has directed hundreds of signature branded environment projects across the country and world and received more than 25 international design awards.

In addition to his work with ZEBRADOG, Schmitz has been deeply involved in defining design programs that escalate organizations and communities nationwide. He has worked with organizations including Taliesin Preservation, Inc.; StartingBlock Madison; Destination Madison; Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce; Goodman Community Center; and Henry Vilas Zoo and worked on projects including the Law Park redevelopment and State Street redesign. He has also donated hundreds of hours of design collaboration and instruction with Madison College students and helped improve environments for at-risk kids through Family Service Madison.

“It’s a great honor to receive this Ground Floor Small Business Leadership Award from the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. This is a tribute to my ZEBRADOG team of passionate community caregivers,” said Schmitz. “As the founder of this business, my job is to inspire everyone to see things differently, see things through others’ eyes and trust that we can make an inspirational difference in young businesses and young lives.”

In addition to the presentation of the Ground Floor Award, nex7 will also feature compelling pitches from the seven finalists for the Chamber’s fourth annual Most Innovative Company (MIC) award. The MIC finalists represent a diverse cross-section of industries, missions and locations across Greater Madison. The winner will be determined by audience vote.

To register for this free event, visit: madisonbiz.com

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 10,000 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 madisonbiz.com.

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Impact Investment Thought Leader, Innovator and Author Jean Case Announced as Chamber’s Annual Dinner Speaker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Sept. 19, 2019)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

MADISON – Jean Case, a world-renowned impact investment thought leader, innovator and best-selling author who serves as Chair of the National Geographic Society and CEO of the Case Foundation, was announced today as the keynote speaker for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s 67^th Annual Dinner on Oct. 1 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Her new book, Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose, provides a roadmap for seeking transformational breakthroughs in life and work.

“We are fortunate to welcome a world-class changemaker in Jean Case to our largest Annual Dinner ever to help us turn the page from ME-centric participation to WE-centric collaboration,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “Changemaking is about more than being; it is about doing, and Jean’s entire career has been about pushing boundaries and overcoming fear to discover the edges of what is possible.”

Case’s career in the private sector, including as a senior executive at AOL, spanned nearly two decades before she co-founded the Case Foundation in 1997. The Case Foundation has been recognized for its innovative efforts to address significant social challenges, harnessing the best impulses of entrepreneurship, technology and collaboration to drive exponential impact. Case also serves on the boards or advisory boards of organizations including the White House Historical Association, Brain Trust Accelerator Fund and Georgetown University’s Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation.

Presented by Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC), the Chamber’s 67^th Annual Dinner will bring together more than 1,100 business and community leaders for an engaging program featuring speakers, networking, music and more. Due to unprecedented demand, the Chamber has worked with Monona Terrace to reconfigure the seats. To secure one of the final spots, visit here: madisonbiz.com/annual-dinner

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 10,000 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 madisonbiz.com.

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Chamber Announces Pressure Chamber Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Aug. 8, 2019)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

MADISON – Today the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced the five finalists competing in this year’s Pressure Chamber startup initiative, which returns Aug. 27 during Forward Festival, an eight-day celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in Madison.

At Pressure Chamber, emerging companies pitch in front of a panel of regional investors, business executives and a live audience. The winning company is decided based on a combination of judges’ scoring and audience votes.

The 2019 Pressure Chamber finalists are:

• American Provenance (Mount Horeb) – Manufacturer of handcrafted, natural personal-care and wellness products founded by a former middle school science teacher and launched on his fourth-generation family farm.
• Goods Unite Us (Madison) – Makes it easy for consumers to align their purchases with their politics, with a free app allowing customers to instantly see the politics of more than 4,000 brands and companies and to search by politician to see which companies are donating to them.
• NovoMoto (Madison) – For-profit social enterprise that provides clean electricity, with rent-to-own solar-powered systems, to off-grid communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
• OnLume (Madison) – Medical device company developing an intuitive platform for precise fluorescence image-guided surgery, providing surgeons with critical information on tissue types, features and function in real time during surgery.
• The Virtual Foundry (Stoughton) – Materials company that makes and sells metal 3D printing filaments that work in printers made for plastics.

“Once again this year, Greater Madison’s apex live pitch contest will feature a diverse array of top emerging companies ready to showcase their innovation,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “With all the success enjoyed by past winners and competitors, Pressure Chamber continues to send a strong message to the world that Greater Madison is a place of economic acceleration.”

The winning company receives the coveted “golden suitcase,” a trip to San Francisco this fall as part of the Chamber’s exclusive Madison-area startup delegation for meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms. Past Pressure Chamber winners have credited the initiative for helping their company close successful funding rounds. Additionally, Pressure Chamber has been recognized by both the International Economic Development Council and Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest Summit as an entrepreneurship and economic development best practice.

Pressure Chamber returns this year as part of neXXpo, a showcase of Greater Madison’s most exciting companies that includes attendee voting for the fourth annual Most Innovative Company (MIC) Award. To register for these events, visit madisonbiz.com/nexxpo.

Pressure Chamber is presented by Michael Best & Friedrich, with support from the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, American Family Ventures, Baird Capital, 4490 Ventures, HealthX Ventures, LSB and Rock River Capital Partners.

Pressure Chamber finalists are available for interviews upon request.

For more information about Forward Fest, please visit http://www.forwardfest.org/

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 10,000 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 madisonbiz.com.

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