The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Israel Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources and the BIRD Foundation have established “BIRD Energy”: a program for U.S. – Israel joint renewable energy and energy efficiency developments

“BIRD Energy” follows the same rules and procedures as BIRD. Please refer to BIRD’s website for submission details – www.birdf.com.

To be considered, a project proposal should include:

• R&D cooperation between two companies or cooperation between a company and a university/research institution (one from the U.S. and one from Israel).
• Innovation in areas such as: Solar Power, Alternative Fuels, Advanced Vehicle Technologies, Smart Grid, Water-Energy Nexus, Wind Energy or any other Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency technology.
• Significant commercial potential; the project outcome should lead to commercialization.

The maximum conditional grant is $1M per project.

Timetable and deadlines:
Executive Summary – June 30, 2015
Final Proposal – August 13, 2015
Decisions – October 21, 2015

For further inquiries please contact:
In Israel: Ms. Limor Nakar-Vincent, limorn@birdf.com, Tel: 972-3-698-8315
In the U.S.: Ms. Andrea Yonah, andreay@birdf.com, Tel: 609-356-0305

Is your business in control of your supply chain, or at its mercy? Supply chain disruptions can cost your company money, customers and brand reputation. Join MITA and the University of Wisconsin – Madison on a fascinating journey to creating a flexible, responsive, and controlled supply chain. Learn how companies are preparing for and managing the unexpected; developing innovative work-arounds to meet customer demands; and uncovering and mitigating hidden threats to supply chain functionality.

Our first speaker, Professor John McKeller, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business, will discuss the global issues creating turmoil in worldwide supply chains with special emphasis on the macro and micro issues facing companies today. Learn strategies to deal with the unexpected. Dr. McKeller has a wealth of supply chain management experience at companies including Ralston Purina, Eli Lilly and General Dynamics prior to his teaching and consulting career.

Our second speaker, Roger Paulson, Practice Director at the UWEBC’s Supply Chain Management, Customer Service and Sales Operations, will discuss strategies companies are employing to overcome the supply chain disruptions.

Our final speaker, Harry Haney, Associate Director for Supply Chain Customer Development for Kraft Foods Group, Inc., will focus on the increasing importance of being engaged with governmental affairs and regulations as well the transportation issues that can impact supply chain.

Learn more and register.

Exporting is essential for businesses that want to grow, and there is a profitable export market (or several) waiting for nearly every product or service produced in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) contracts with a network of international trade representatives covering 54 countries. During the first week of May, seven of these trade representatives (covering 16 countries) will be visiting five Wisconsin communities—Madison, Milwaukee, Menomonie, Appleton and Whitewater—for one-on-one meetings to help companies identify the best markets to target with their products and services.

At these meetings, companies will have the opportunity to get basic information about the markets covered (Canada, Brazil, China, South Korea, the Middle East, Benelux, France, Germany and the UK) and to discuss whether a given market might be a good fit for their product or service. Companies that take part in the meetings, which are free of charge, will also have the opportunity to sign up for WEDC’s market assessment and international partner search services, which provide more in-depth information to help companies decide whether entering a given market is right for them, and with whom they should partner in the market. In each location, in addition to one-on-one meetings, the representatives will give a general presentation on exporting and international market conditions. Some of the presentations have a fee to attend, but there is no change for the one-on-one meetings.

View the full schedule of events and registration information.

Networking reception hosted by Madison International Trade Association to follow from 4:30-7pm at the Heritage Tavern, 131 E. Mifflin Street, Madison. Learn more and register.

NEWaukee, Milwaukee’s young professional organization, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation have partnered to launch the first-ever statewide young professionals week program: YP Week Wisconsin. Taking place April 11-18, the weeklong event will feature 85 events across various Wisconsin cities including Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Wausau and Kenosha. The events will serve as a platform to tackle the issues that matter most to young professionals, with a focus on what can be done to attract and retain younger workers.

According to data compiled by the University of Wisconsin, an average of 14,000 college graduates left Wisconsin annually between 2008-2012, with most of those between the ages of 21 and 29. Young professional groups across the state team up this week to address this brain drain, bringing together key leaders in the community in activities that engage the millennial workforce in experiences that are important to them, as well as educate employers on the important role these functions play in retaining a younger workforce.

“YPWeek Wisconsin establishes a framework for existing and emerging young professionals throughout the state to collaborate and brand Wisconsin as a workplace destination for all Millennials,” explains Angela Damiani, president of NEWaukee. “The excitement that is mounting with the new cities coming aboard and the willingness to work towards a single goal proves that folks are hungry and ready for this type of platform. Wisconsin only stands to gain with this united front.”

View the YP Week 2015 Calendar of Events, including several taking place here in the Madison Region. And congrats to all the companies — including Shoutlet and Zendesk from Madison — that won the 2015 Bubbler Awards for being a best place for YPs to work!

Applications are being accepted for the Dane County Small Business Awards (DCSBA), not in its 33rd year. The DCSBA celebrate small businesses and the contributions they make to our communities and the economy.

Each year in June, ten Dane County businesses that have excelled at meeting the award criteria are recognized. Award winning companies are honored at a breakfast program attended by on average 250 people. In addition to recognizing companies for their achievements, the awards breakfast has a keynote speaker, panel discussion or other informative and entertaining program.

Award Criteria

• A successful for-profit company that has been in business for at least three years or 1-3 years for the emerging business award
• A minimum of 3 full-time equivalent employees, including the owner
• Maintain a responsible and rewarding workplace environment
• Provide support (in-kind or financial) to their neighborhood and/or community
• Awards considered in the following sales/revenue categories: Less than $1 million; $1-5 million; $5-10 million; $10-20 million

*An emerging business award will be considered for a 1-3 year old company. Applicants in this category do not need to meet the minimum employee requirements. The DCSBA strives to recognize a mix of excellent small businesses that:

• Represent communities from throughout Dane County
• Includes minority-owned and women-owned firms

Applications are being accepted from March 1 – April 24, 2015. Learn more.