Join Madison International Trade Association (MITA) and learn about the dynamics of business development in B2B and B2C environments across different geographies and industries. Learn about determining pricing, website and marketing strategies and understanding the transportation and regulatory pieces of global E-commerce from two experts in this field:

• Kai Li, Sr. Business Development Manager at Amazon.com/Shopbop, Madison. Mr. Li will focus on B2C Content Merketing strategies that Amazon/Shopbop has used to further develop cross border business via E-commerce, marketing, pricing, and setting up transportation in the global markets
• Andy Busalacchi, Founder & CEO of B Media & Communications , a social media, graphic, web design and video consulting firm in Milwaukee. Mr. Busalacchi was previously associated with Big Brand Media in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where he introduced progressive media to a virgin market and was featured in Forbes Middle East highlighting entrepreneurial concept and growth. 

View speaker bios, learn more, and register.

 

 

 

Timothy Donohue, director of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, will discuss the global cleantech market and expected industry trends and challenges in 2015 at the Jan. 20 meeting of the Wisconsin Cleantech Network.  

The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center is led by the UW-Madison and is one of three bioenergy research centers established in 2007 by the U.S. Department of Energy.  The center is working to meet the nation’s need for a comprehensive suite of clean energy technologies, including next generation and drop-in fuels that can be used by today’s engines.

Research at the center supports the development of a robust pipeline from biomass production through pre-treatment and final conversion to fuel, with sustainability a theme throughout.

Donohue is an expert in how microbes harness and convert solar energy. His laboratory researches genetic pathways and networks that microbes use to generate biomass or biofuels from sunlight. His work employs genome sequence, microarrays, proteomics and molecular techniques to determine how the energy in sunlight or renewable nutrients is diverted into cell biomass or biofuel formation.  

Cleantech Network forums focus on the needs and challenges faced by entrepreneurs and others working in Wisconsin’s clean technology sectors. That includes power systems, controls, alternative fuels and more. Each program will include a presentation, audience Q&A and networking.

The forums are produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council in cooperation with the Mid-West Energy Research Consortium, Godfrey & Kahn and Kremer Ventures.

Cost is $10 per person in advance and $20 at the door, including refreshments and snacks. Register by January 19.

Calling all women-led ventures!

Are you striving to take your business to the next level…

• Are you just launching?
• Are you trying to grow your venture…maybe expand your offerings or enter new markets?
• Is it time to pivot and take your venture in a new direction?

The Doyenne Retreat is a weekend-long, strategic planning workshop for women-led startups. The Retreat is a opportunity for you and your team to escape the day-to-day routine and focus on developing your next strategic move. And, you do this with intense feedback and guidance from mentors and peers who are experiencing similar challenges. This is a unique opportunity to focus on your development as entrepreneur and your venture’s future. This is NOT a conference! You and your team need to come prepared to work on your venture while you are here. Please see the Doyenne Retreat schedule.

At different points during the Doyenne Retreat, people from the entrepreneurial community will be visiting. These will include entrepreneurs, representatives from accelerators and financing institutions in the area, and other supporters of our entrepreneurial ecosystem. This is a fantastic chance to build your network.

In order to provide a personalized experience, we will be limiting participation to 10-15 women-led ventures. Once accepted, ventures can bring a team of up to 4 members (male and female) to the Doyenne Retreat. The cost of the retreat is $250 per venture and $100/each additional team member.

Apply to attend before January 17, 2015!

 

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced the opening of the second round of Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Fast Forward – Blueprint for Prosperity initiative with up to $3 million for innovative high school pupil worker training grants.

DWD’s Office of Skills Development (OSD) seeks applications from Wisconsin businesses for employer-driven workforce programs in collaboration with school districts, educational partners and/or technical colleges to train and hire high school students. Grant Program Announcement (GPA) highlights follow:

• Range of potential grant awards: $5,000 to $150,000 per grantee
• Grant amount match requirement through funds or in-kind sources: 50 percent
• Grant application deadline: February 2, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.

Examples of high school pupil training program partnerships include work-based learning, apprenticeship preparation and dual credit models. Successful projects ensure that graduates receive industry-recognized certifications from 2013 Wisconsin Act 59 approved list and obtain employment in documented high-demand fields.

Learn more.

Businesses of all sizes and all industries that are active in exporting are invited to nominate themselves for the 2015 Governor’s Export Achievement Awards, which recognize companies that have achieved extraordinary results in international markets.  The awards program has been revamped this year and is easier to enter than ever before. All companies need to do get started is visit inwisconsin.com/exportawards and describe—in 250 words or less—their recent exporting accomplishments.

But hurry, the deadline for the initial submission is 5 p.m. Jan. 30. Learn more.