State’s Entrepreneurs Need Capital

by Brian Lee

“Making all the right moves” starts with investing in Wisconsin companies.

That was gist of the theme of the Wisconsin Technology Council’s 2012 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Monona Terrace.

For example, a previous venture capital bill that could have pumped $400 million into Wisconsin startups failed, but Sens. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, on Tuesday expressed optimism in passing a new one next year.

And helping companies, especially with funding, is the one of the keys to reviving the state’s economy and job market, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch noted in her keynote speech.

“We are pro growth in this administration,” Kleefisch said. “We are trying to make Wisconsin more competitive.”

On the topic of competition, the symposium concluded with the annual Elevator Pitch Olympics, in which contestants describe their startup in front of a panel of investors. Iristocracy.com was this year’s winner.