Startup surge: More than 60 companies to share ideas at 2025 Early Stage Symposium in Madison

MADISON, Wis. – Sixty-one companies will pitch to potential investors and others during the in-person Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, set for Nov. 5-6 in Madison.

That includes 20 companies selected by conference organizers for the newly added “Open Mic” Quick Pitch on the morning of Nov. 5; 22 companies presenting Nov. 5 during the Tech Council Investor Networks (TCIN) tracks; and 19 more chosen for the fast-moving Elevator Pitch Olympics on Nov. 6. Seventy companies from across the Midwest applied to present at the annual conference, to meet with investors through the Investor Intros track, or both.

Click here to register for the conference.

The “Open Mic” Quick Pitch session will feature two-minute presentations without audience questions or feedback. The fast-paced session is designed to give as many companies as possible the opportunity to pitch. The session is sponsored by Silver Lining Foundation.

The companies selected for the “Open Mic” Quick Pitch are: 3D Powder Tech, Madison; AccuraTrials, Madison; Casita Prado, Milwaukee; CWX Therapeutics, Madison; DripPay, Madison; EMND, Milwaukee; Hippo AI, Madison; InnerJoy Ed, Mequon; Lemur AI, Madison; MyoWorks, Windsor; MyVendue, Hobart; Nelambos, Madison; Playbright, Wauwatosa; Prismscope, Madison; RojoBio Corp., Madison; Silken Biotech, Milwaukee; Skin Metal, Madison; Talulah, Milwaukee; Voyager AI, Thiensville; and Xena Medical Technologies, Milwaukee.

The Tech Council Investor Networks tracks will feature companies making five-minute presentations during two sessions, morning and afternoon. Selected companies cover a range of technologies, from health-care innovations to advanced materials for new products, and from workforce solutions to pet care.

The companies selected for TCIN are: Amurth Group, Wauwatosa; Auvia Health, Appleton; Cellulose Sciences International, Madison; Clandestine Materials Detection, Monona; Ergo USA, Madison; Exerchain, Milwaukee; FAR Biotech, Houston, Texas; Gesund Health Data, Delafield; Green Fleet, Eau Claire; JangoPet, Fitchburg; Neurosolis, Madison; Okkanti, Madison; Pyran, Madison; Reliable Residence, Madison; Sea Change Silicides, Whitewater; Service ID, Fitchburg; Sit by Me, Milwaukee; Spatium, Newton; Strudel, Madison; Sunnyday Technologies, Appleton; Syrenn, Madison; and Universal Real Time Power Conversion, New Berlin.

The companies selected for the Elevator Pitch Olympics will deliver 90-second pitches and be scored by a panel of investor judges. In addition to the judges’ feedback, participants will also be scored by members of the audience for selection of a People’s Choice award. The Elevator Pitch Olympics awards are sponsored by Madison Development Corp.

Taking part in the Elevator Pitch Olympics are: Auxillim Health, Milwaukee; BuildWise AI, Milwaukee; Carbon Footing, Neenah; Cognerium AI, Madison; Datalily AI, Verona; DNI Systems, Galesville; Float, Waukesha; Higher Ground, Madison; Inquisita, Denver, Colorado; ITER IDEA, Milwaukee; Lyntra, Madison; MyStage Music, Combined Locks; Perceptive Analytics, New Richmond; PetBliss/4FUR, Waupaca; pr1or.art, Middleton; Shake Defi, Brookfield; Spherical Canister, Franklin; Threshold Beginnings, Madison; and UbiVital, Milwaukee.

The conference will also feature:

• A Nov. 6 forum featuring gubernatorial candidates focusing on economic and technology development issues;
• Keynote speakers, targeted panel discussions and workshops featuring leading entrepreneurs, investors and others tied to the tech sector;
• An exhibit hall showcasing innovative Wisconsin companies; and
• A Nov. 5 conference reception, two luncheons, two breakfasts and other networking opportunities, including an investors-only dinner.

The Tech Council produces the conference. Sponsors thus far include: Advocate Aurora Health, Amazon, Apple, ATC, Baird Capital, Baker Tilly, BDO, City of Fitchburg, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), Dairyland Power Cooperative, DeWitt, EUA, Exact Sciences, Findorff, Fine Point Consulting, First Business Bank, Foley & Lardner, gener8tor, Godfrey & Kahn, HealthX Ventures, Husch Blackwell, Kimberly-Clark, KW2, M3 Insurance, Madison Development Corp., Madison Gas & Electric, Makin’ Hey! Communications, Michael Best, Neider & Boucher, One City Schools, Raven Software, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, RSM US, Silver Lining Foundation, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, SustainableHR PEO, Technology Entrepreneurship Office at UW-Madison, Technology Innovation Center – Milwaukee, University Research Park, UWM Research Foundation, UW-Madison Center for Dairy Research, UW-Madison Dept. of Computer Sciences, UW-Madison Office of Business Engagement, VC3, Venture Investors, Versiti, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., WIPFLi, Wisconsin Dept. of Financial Institutions, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Wisconsin Historical Society and Yahara Software.

To learn more about sponsorship information, please reach out to Angela Schlobohm at angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.

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.