Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, & Oman have established Free Trade Agreements with the U.S. to generate more export opportunities by reducing barriers to market entry and creating a more stable, transparent trade environment.

MITA along with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Wisconsin District Export Council invites you to an Arabian Adventure as we welcome the Middle East & North Africa Consultants Association to Madison for a panel presentation of Embassy officials and regional exports from these four countries.

Companies will have the option to sign-up for one-on-one business meetings after the presentation to determine where business opportunities might lie.

Learn more and register online.

Gain practical knowledge on choosing your logistics service providers and how to develop a long-term relationship that will help you manage your logistics program. Learn why the lowest freight cost is not always the cheapest in the end. Understand the many facets of moving your goods and how you can avoid common pitfalls and costly mistakes.

This program is geared toward Importers and Exporters of all size. Both people new to logistics as well as experienced individuals can gain insight on some of today’s challenges from Wisconsin area Trade Logistics Business Owners.

Speakers will present an overview of the import and export transportation and documentation process and offer advice on dealing with the increasing complexities of security issues and obstacles to moving your freight from here to there.

Learn more and register online.

Madworks Accelerator now accepting applicants: http://www.madworkscoworking.org/accelerator/#apply

Madworks Accelerator runs a 10-week program for Wisconsin-based, early-stage startups. Without taking any equity, Madworks helps startups find the best product/market fit, the first batch of customers, and the next round of seed funding through networking opportunities, mentorship, and up to $5,000 in grant funding.

Application deadline is September 11, with additional details at http://www.madworkscoworking.org/accelerator.

Please contact Louis at louiscondon@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Apply to pitch your company to the most active investors in the Midwest at the annual Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, being held Nov. 4-5 at Madison’s Monona Terrace. Many companies have cited their presentations at the conference as a key factor for getting funding and growing their business.

There are two separate presentation levels at the Early Stage Symposium: the Wisconsin Angel Network Investors’ Track and the Elevator Pitch Olympics*.

Wisconsin Angel Network Investors’ Track – Wednesday, Nov. 4:

The WAN tracks will feature about 20 companies from the Midwest representing an array of industries, including biotechnology, medical device, health care, advanced manufacturing, information technology and mobile application sectors.

Companies selected for the WAN tracks will have many opportunities to interest investors: a seven-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. Companies selected for the WAN tracks are also invited to participate in a preconference practice session with a group of mentors.

Elevator Pitch Olympics – Thursday, Nov. 5:

Companies selected for the Elevator Pitch Olympics, a crowd favorite, will have the opportunity to 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 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 seeking a smaller investment round or planning to do so within the next year.

Company applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. Learn more and click here for instructions on submitting your application through gust.com.

The Evansville Area Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club meets in October to hear about LollyZip. Middleton-based interior designer Jill Yvette Dybdahl was a frustrated traveler who wanted to take portions of her home personal care products on flights.  In collaboration with partners, she created a TSA-approved quart-sized, attractive pouch with re-usable, refillable jars and silicone bottles.  She will share her ongoing story about launching a frustration into an online and retail shopping opportunity.

Lisa Moran, a kitchen-table tinkerer from Janesville, organized this program. Evansville.  Moran and DLG Naturals were the winners of the micro-grant contest sponsored in 2014 by the I&E Club.

More information about the meeting and I&E Club is available from Halina Zakowicz, 608-698-4259 or admin@haelix.com, and Sue Berg, 608-882-0986 or suebergsolutions@gmail.com.  Or visit the club’s Facebook page.