This two-day conference is one of the Midwest’s premiere “how-to,” hands-on events for entrepreneurs of all ages and experience levels. Attendees range from ‘treps who are still developing their ideas to emerging company leaders who have already attracted angel and/or venture funding. These businesses cover a broad span of categories, from information technology to cleantech, from advanced manufacturing to the life sciences, and from business services to consulting.

Conference highlights will include:

• A plenary panel focusing on new early stage investors on June 6
• 2 keynote speakers on June 7 – Arvind Subramanian, CEO of HealthMyne + Alan Webber, founder of Fast Company
• Presentations by the “Diligent Dozen” in the Governor’s Business Plan Contest with invited guest Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch
• 15 panel discussions (seminars) for emerging companies:
  • focused on the themes of “Launch, Grow and Succeed”
• Innovation Showcase featuring more than 40 companies from around the state
• Awards ceremony for Governor’s Business Plan Contest, featuring the 2017 Wisconsin YES! winner and invited guest Governor Scott Walker
• Plenty of chances to connect with seasoned entrepreneurs and investors over food and refreshments, including a reception to celebrate entrepreneurs!

Learn more.

gALPHA is a Hackathon/Accelerator Hybrid for aspiring founders and all individuals interested in product development or business. Programming will help participants identify promising business models; design minimum viable products (MVP) or MVP roadmaps capable of being built without access to financing.

Deliverables during gALPHA include:

• Product Development: Participants will ideate, validate and build MVPs.
• Culture: gALPHA participants will experience first-hand the challenges, but also tremendous benefit, of iterating quickly with minimal resources in solving business problems.
• Methodology: Participants will come away with a road map for testing new ideas through the design of an MVP with minimal working capital.

The program will run from June 2-16, 2017. Learn more and apply or submit a nomination by May 26.

To continue the conversation on diversity and its impact on business, you may be interested in attending In Business magazine’s inaugural Think Tank event on the changing corporate culture. Diversity and inclusion will be one of the key topics as local business experts and top-level professionals share insightful presentations and lead thought-provoking discussions on the changing corporate culture and how leading strategic change in a company’s culture ultimately increases the bottom line.

This day-long business event takes place on Wednesday, May 24 and is geared toward professionals with a VP-level title or higher, or those who are in the HR profession.

More information on the discussion sessions and speakers can be found at IBMadison.com/ThinkTank.

Tickets are $199 each, but you can save $100 with code MADREP.

gener8tor, in partnership with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), will host the inaugural OnRamp Manufacturing Conference on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. More than 200 startups are anticipated to apply for one-on-one meetings with an estimated 20 participating manufacturing corporations.

The one-day event includes a Conference Track, featuring keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats and product demos. A variety of industry relevant agenda topics will be covered including: The State of Manufacturing, Smart Manufacturing, Perspectives on Corporate Venturing in Manufacturing, Changes in the Manufacturing Workforce, Additive Manufacturing, The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Innovations in Supply Chain, Big Data and much more.

Unique to OnRamp, the conference will also include a Startup Track, featuring curated, one-on-one pitch sessions between selected startups and corporate venture capital and innovation executives from participating manufacturing companies to discuss potential customer relationships, strategic partnerships and, if appropriate, investment opportunities. The conference is expected to draw more than 500 attendees from the corporate, venture capital, and startup communities.

Learn more at onrampmanufacturingconference.com. For more information about registration or sponsorship opportunities, contact Associate Director of Business Development, Clare da Silva at clare@gener8tor.com.

The Davis Group is a Madison, Wisconsin, consulting firm that offers a full range of diversity related services from diversity plans to recruiting and retention strategies. The Davis Group is the preferred diversity services provider for Madison Region Economic Partnership.

On June 1, 2017, the Davis Group will be offering local businesses and organizations the opportunity for their employees and leadership to attend cultural competence training that is positive, interactive, and focused on solutions. Each half-day session will have up to 30 participants and the cost will be $175/person. Ask about special pricing for non-profit organizations.

For more information or to register, contact Stan Davis at 608.469.7208.