Roll call! Meet the major firms attending the Tech Summit; applications due Feb. 21 for “speed dates”

MADISON, Wis. – Thirteen major firms (thus far) are ready to meet with emerging companies at the Wisconsin Tech Summit, which will take place in-person at Milwaukee’s American Family Field on Monday, March 17 and produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council.

Emerging companies may apply through Feb. 21 to meet with major firms and explore potential business relationships around technology needs and innovation as part of the 12th annual Wisconsin Tech Summit. More information, including the online application form, is available at wistechsummit.com. Past emerging firms are encouraged to apply.

Participating major firms thus far are Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Faith Technologies Inc., gener8tor, Isthmus Project, Kimberly-Clark, Mayo Clinic, OEM Fabricators, Oshkosh Corp., Plexus, Promega, Rockwell Automation and Versiti. More will be announced soon; contact the Tech Council if interested in taking part.

Here are a few examples of how major firms approach this event; visit our website to read more.

Advocate Aurora Research Institute is a not-for profit company of Advocate Aurora Health Care that is dedicated to translational and clinical research. As a major firm looking to advance its mission, Advocate Aurora is looking to collaborate with companies focusing on medical devices and diagnostics, drug development, clinical trials, lab services and data analytics/AI.

Kimberly-Clark’s 44,000 employees around the world are committed to delivering a purpose of Better Care for a Better World. The company’s well-known portfolio of brands is an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. As a major firm, they are looking for innovative partners to build impactful solutions in the areas of sustainability, skin science and new capabilities that support the innovation process.

Promega Corp., a key player in the life sciences sector, caters to a broad range of markets, including academia, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. It specializes in products to support life science research. Promega is looking to explore collaborative opportunities with companies interested in advancing technology commercialization or providing complementary services.

Rockwell Automation is creating the future of industrial operations and bringing the connected enterprise to life through its differentiated offerings in autonomous operations, manufacturing lifecycle management and an industry-focused ecosystem. The company’s core priority is using intelligent devices to leverage data and analytics to facilitate the convergence of IT and operational technology. As a major firm, it is seeking scalable, innovative technologies that will strengthen and broaden its portfolio.

A selection process involving major firms and the Tech Council will follow. Selected emerging companies may meet with multiple major firms, depending on mutual interest.

There is no set definition as to what constitutes an emerging company. It can be a startup with a few founders and limited revenue or a small business with several dozen employees and solid revenue. What matters most is whether major firms spot partnership potential when reviewing applications. Applications are welcome from early stage funds that may want to introduce portfolio companies and otherwise connect with major firms.

A company registration fee is due at the time of application; forms for which are available online. Companies that are not selected to participate will receive a full refund.

The March 17 “speed date” meetings are 15 minutes each with five minutes between.

Other features of the event are:

• Six educational “Office Hours” 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 firms to talk generally about their goals, needs and emerging markets;
• A keynote speech from Derek Hyde, vice president of IT for the Milwaukee Brewers, and;
• A networking breakfast, lunch and reception.

Sponsors thus far are: Amazon, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, AVI Systems, Baird Capital, BDO, Center for Technology Commercialization, Findorff, Fine Point Consulting, Flad Architects, Godfrey & Kahn, Google, Kimberly-Clark, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Microsoft, Raven Software, Summerfest Tech, SustainableHR PEO, UMOS, University Research Park, UW-Madison Center for Diary Research, UW-Madison Data Science Institute, UW-Madison Office of Business Engagement, UW-Platteville, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp, WHEFA and Wisconsin Counties Association.

Visit wistechsummit.com for more information on the event, the application process, registration and sponsorship opportunities.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.