Tech conference to feature ‘speed dating’ with 15 major firms

50 emerging companies to participate in event

Fifteen major companies will take part in about 160 “speed dating” meetings with nearly 50 emerging companies during the fourth annual Wisconsin Tech Summit, to be held March 27 at the GE Healthcare Institute in Waukesha.

“Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and partners that include the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., the Tech Summit will provide an organized way for young companies and corporations with a national and global footprint to meet and explore likely business relationships around technology needs and innovation,” the technology council said in a statement.

“Those relationships might include research and development partnerships, direct investments, strategic partnerships as vendors or sales outlets, even merger and acquisition.”

Participating firms thus far include Aurora Health Care; BloodCenter of Wisconsin; Dedicated Computing; Direct Supply; Exact Sciences; GE Healthcare; HP Enterprise Services; Johnson Controls; Marshfield Clinic Information Services; Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures; Promega; Racine Metal-Fab; Rockwell Automation; TECHNIPLAS; and UW-Madison Research Pathways.

The event will include an 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, according to the statement.

There will also be a talk by Chris Rizik, CEO and fund manager for Renaissance Venture Capital Fund in Michigan; a continental breakfast, networking lunch and onsite reception, according to the statement. Sponsors include: Advanced Materials Industrial Consortium; American Family Insurance; American Transmission Co.; AT&T; Baird Capital; BloodCenter of Wisconsin; Dedicated Computing; Enbridge; Findorff; GE Healthcare; HP Enterprise Services; Husch Blackwell; Marshfield Clinic Information Services; River Valley Bank; UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations; UWM Research Foundation; von Briesen & Roper; Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.; and WTN Media.

Wisconsin Tech Summit will be held March 27 at the GE Healthcare Institute in Waukesha.