2.8.18 | WisPolitics | Original Publication
MADISON – Speakers who exemplify academic research and talent initiatives in the Milwaukee-Madison corridor and statewide will speak March 19 at the fifth annual Wisconsin Tech Summit in Waukesha.
UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone, who is leading the Regional Talent Partnership sparked by the Milwaukee 7 economic development group, and Erik Iverson, the managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, will bracket a day’s worth of “speed dating” meetings between major and emerging companies.
Mone, who brings a private sector background to UW-Milwaukee, will discuss how the partnership is responding to the region’s need for more workforce talent – a demand that includes the arrival of the Foxconn Technology Group – as well as academic initiatives involving connected data systems.
Iverson, who came to WARF in 2016 after leading the Infectious Disease Research Institute and the investment efforts of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will discuss investment initiatives aimed at emerging companies and other efforts to transfer UW-Madison discoveries to the marketplace.
Iverson will speak around 9 a.m., just before a series of 15-minute company meetings begins, and Mone will speak around 4 p.m., after those sessions end.
The “I-Q Corridor” is how the Tech Council describes the interstate ties between Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and beyond. The “I” stands for interstate, innovation, intellectual property and investment, and the “Q” for quality.
Emerging companies may apply through Feb. 14 to be eligible for possible “speed dates” with the major firms. More information, including an application form, can be found at wistechsummit.com. Repeat emerging companies are welcome to apply.
Participating major firms are Accuray, American Family Insurance, AT&T, Aurora Health Care, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Dedicated Computing, DXC Technology, Exact Sciences, Foxconn Technology Group, GE Healthcare, Johnson Controls, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Northwestern Mutual, Promega, Rockwell Automation, TASC, WEA Trust and WIPFLi.
Emerging companies may apply to participate at wistechsummit.com with a deadline of Feb. 14. The application is on the website or can be downloaded here. A selection process involving major companies and the Tech Council will follow. Selected companies may meet with multiple companies, depending on mutual interest.
A company registration fee is due at the time of application and are available online. Companies that are not selected to participate will receive a full refund.
Attendance at the event is limited to representatives of participating major companies, selected emerging firms or funds and event sponsors. Limited general admission may be opened prior to the event.
The “speed dating” meetings on March 19 will run about 15 minutes each. Other features of the event will include:
- Educational seminars, which will be available to all participants during those times in which they are not scheduled for individual meetings;
- An event overview and opening discussion to help set the stage for emerging companies by allowing major companies an opportunity to talk generally about their goals, needs and emerging markets;
- A continental breakfast, networking lunch and onsite reception.
Contact: Tom Still or Laura Kaiser at 608-442-7557
To learn more, visit: wistechsummit.com