Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference

The June 4 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference will offer the next-best-thing to a live event through an interactive platform featuring multiple ways to engage. With a full line-up of speakers, panelists, sponsors and more, people who take part in the conference will be able to:

• Schedule 1-on-1 meetings (15 minutes each) during all networking breaks (up to 13 meetings) on June 4th and throughout the following day;
• Message attendees individually;
• Participate on discussion boards;
• Visit exhibitor booths and engage with them over video call;
• Customize your attendee profile to tell others who you are and your topics of interest;
• Filter full attendee list to better target your meetings and communications. You can filter by first name, last name, company, interests, ribbons and registration type, for example;
• Participate in “Birds of a Feather,” which are small group workshops/discussions on targeted topics;
• Watch presentations from the “Diligent Dozen” in the Governor’s Business Plan Contest before the conference and vote for your “People’s Choice.”
• Miss something during the day? Sessions will be recorded for registrants.

Agenda for 2020
8:00 AM Conference open
8:45 AM Welcome and keynote by Brian Pinkerton, Chief Architect of Siri at Apple
10:00 AM Networking break

10:30 AM Things COVID-19 taught us, why they may be here to stay – and how ‘treps can capitalize
Social distancing, face masks, take-outs, curbside delivery and one-way aisles are just a few of the changes that have come with COVID-19. Will life ever be the same again, or should entrepreneurs look for opportunities that reflect an enduring set of post-virus practices?
Moderated by Mark Ehrmann, Quarles & Brady
Panelists: Taralinda Willis, Curate Solutions; Matt Howard, EatStreet and Deb Archer, Destination Madison

10:30 AM Negotiating “down” rounds with investors: How entrepreneurs should prepare
A “down round” refers to a private company offering additional shares for sale at a lower price than those sold in a previous round or rounds. It’s not anyone’s first choice, but sometimes a reality when valuation dips and cash is needed to keep the company alive. Learn what to expect if your company finds itself in a ‘down round’ position in these uncertain times.
Moderated by Erin Ogden, Ogden Glazer + Schaefer
Panelists: Andrea Dlugos, Wisconsin Investment Partners; John Neis, Venture Investors and Paul Jones, Michael Best

10:30 AM Cybersecurity and COVID-19: How to make working from home safer
A recent survey revealed that about 42% of Americans can work at home, but the security challenges of doing so are complicated by how that “home office” is configured and maintained. Hear from experts who want to keep you productive … and the “bad guys” out of your work lives.
Moderated by Steve Lyons, SJL Government Affairs & Communications
Panelists: Lois Brooks, UW-Madison Information Technology; Jim Blair, Aberdean Consulting and Sarah Sargent, Godfrey & Kahn

11:30 AM Networking break
12:00 PM Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” award presentation
12:30 PM Exhibitor Hall session

1:30 PM Workshop: Furloughs, layoffs and rehiring, oh my! Tips on how to handle personnel issues
hosted by Jeff Sachse, UW-Oshkosh
sponsored by Northwestern Mutual

1:30 PM Workshop: I got my SBA loan, what next? Legal perspectives
hosted by Joe Camilli, Neider & Boucher
sponsored by Northwestern Mutual

1:30 PM Workshop: If you think you’re worried, imagine how investors feel!
hosted by Zach Brandon, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
sponsored by Northwestern Mutual

1:30 PM Workshop: Leading your business through recovery: Financial do’s and don’ts
hosted by Ron Bote, WIPFLi
sponsored by Northwestern Mutual

1:30 PM Workshop: Marketing and social media: More important than ever?
hosted by Jenny Weeden, Accelity Marketing and Steve Holzhauer, EUA
sponsored by Northwestern Mutual

2:30 PM Securing your first customers: How to make sales in a challenging time
With face-to-face meetings out of the picture for now, companies are relying on other formats and tools to connect with customers, to make sales and to maintain healthy relationships. Innovation is yet again changing how companies market their goods and services and demonstrate their value to customers who they may have never met “live.” Learn some tips and practices from our experts.
Moderated by Nathan Hammons, Marquette Law
Panelists: Jackie Hermes, Accelity Marketing; Joe Scanlin, Scanalytics and Regina Newcomb, Northwestern Mutual

2:30 PM What kind of deals are getting funded (and what is not) in 2020?
Barring an existing investor relationship or current portfolio status, entrepreneurs may find it harder to raise angel and venture capital money during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s not an absolute, however. Investors are still putting money into sectors that reflect the “new normal” of the market. Hear about trends from a veteran investor and two young companies.
Moderated by John McDonald, Godfrey & Kahn
Panelists: Amanda DoAmaral, Fiveable; Kyle Weatherly, FrontDesk and Tim Keane, Golden Angels Investors

2:30 PM On-shoring: COVID-19 is accelerating the trends technology created
One of the lessons of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States was the shortage of personal protection equipment, or PPE, in the domestic pipeline. There were similar supply-chain issues in other sectors that exposed both weaknesses and opportunities. Hear from people who can help young companies identify opportunities that might involve people as well as products and services.
Moderated by Kathy Henrich, MKE Tech Hub
Panelists: Buckley Brinkman, WCMP; Bill Berrien, Pindel Global Precision and Sandipan Gangopadhyay, GalaxE.Solutions

3:30 PM Networking break
4:00 PM Gov’s Business Plan Contest and Wisconsin YES! awards
Now available: Watch the Diligent Dozen company presentations here!