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Inside Wisconsin
Tom Still discusses high speed rail.
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Business Solutions
Wisconsin Angel Network was recently featured on the radio show Business Solutions with Diane Chamness.
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WisBusiness.com: The Show
See the latest updates on business and investing in Wisconsin.
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WAN Members
Investor-members
Appletree Capital
Baird Venture Partners
Brady Corporation
Capital Midwest
Capvest Venture Fund
Central Illinois Angels
Central WI Business Angels
Continuum Investment Partners
DaneVest
Daycholah Capital
Golden Angels Network
Illinois Business & Investors Forum
Kegonsa Partners
Lake Superior Angel Network
Marshfield Investment Partners
Mason Wells
MDC Venture Debt Fund
NEW Capital Fund
Peak Ridge Capital
Origin Investment Group
Pennies from Heaven
Phenomenelle Angels Fund
Promega Corporation
Silicon Pastures
St. Croix Valley Angel Network
Stateline Angels
Successful Entrepreneur Investors
Triathlon Medical Ventures
Venture Investors
Wisconsin Investment Partners
Women Angels, LLC
Informal networks: 1
Advisory Committee
Sec. Lorrie Keating
Heinemann (Chair)
Dept. of Financial Institutions
Sec. Dick Leinenkugel
Dept. of Commerce
Tim Keane
Golden Angels Network
Richard Leazer
Wisconsin Investment Partners
John Neis
Venture Investors
Tom Still
Wisconsin Technology Council
David Ward
NorthStar Economics
WAN Staff
Joe Kremer
Director
Kate Kubsch
Intern |
Newsletter Sponsors
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| Major changes in the way angels and entrepreneurs finance start-ups are pending in the U.S. Senate. Embedded in the financial regulation overhaul bill are dramatic changes to the definition of accredited investor and the regulation of investments across state borders. The Angel Capital Association, North America's professional alliance of angel groups, is diligently working to remove the changes. However, last week the proposed bill passed out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs without modifications. For changes to be made, the legislation will now need to be amended on the Senate floor. The ACA has put out a call-to-action for entrepreneurs and investors to learn about the changes, connect with their senators and voice their opinions. To get involved, follow this link to a webpage with more information.
Tim Keane, founder of the Golden Angels Network, recently posted his thoughts on the proposed changes on his blog. |
 Meet a finalist from last year's BPC: Scopia
 The Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest (BPC) has received nearly 1,800 entries over seven years. One of last year's finalists was Scopia, a Milwaukee-area travel company. Scopia is unique from traditional travel companies in that it covers all modes of transportation. Scopia gives customers more options as well as the shortest and most cost-effective travel experience. Follow this link to learn more about Scopia. To read about other past BPC contestants, follow this link. |
Two early stage funds launched
The early stage capital market is beginning to show signs of recovery. Two new funds focused on the Midwest have recently been announced. Capital Midwest Fund II is a $25 million venture capital fund that will invest in information technology and life sciences companies in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Follow this link to the full article.
Upwind Medical Partners announced the formation of a $6 to $8 million early stage fund for commercializing intellectual property from health care and research institutions. Follow this link to the full article. |
Minnesota legislature passes angel tax credit
The Minnesota House and Senate Monday overwhelmingly approved a five year, $50 million tax credit designed to spur early stage investment in high tech start-ups, including biotechnology and medical devices. A state-wide coalition emerged to focus on passing the credit and successfully assisted in pushing the legislation over the goal line. Follow this link to the full article. |
The venture capital market continues to be in an upheaval with no one truly knowing how the industry will look after it emerges from its ongoing transition. Some think large funds ($1 billion or more in dollars under management) are the answer while others believe smaller funds ($50 to $200 million in size) will be where the industry gravitates. With so much at stake, including the vitality of U.S. entrepreneurism, many people are weighing in and offering their opinions and predictions. Following are two of the latest articles on venture capital: What's Wrong with VC? and VC sees Further Deterioration of 10 Year-runs. |
Tech companies deciding against IPOs
Many up and coming tech companies are deciding against initial public offerings (IPO) and are finding new ways to fund growth. Yelp is one of the fastest growing companies on the web and is bypassing the IPO market and is instead taking $100 million from a private equity firm. Jeremy Stopplelman, Yelp's owner, is against both going public and being acquired in order to keep control of his company. Yelp recently turned down a $550 million acquisition offer from Google and a $700 million offer from Microsoft. To read the full article, click here. |
I-Q Corridor deals, acquisitions and exits
Promentis Pharmaceuticals raised $1.94 million, link to article.
PDM Solar raised $235,000 from individual investors.
Bias Power raised $290,000 from Central Illinois Angels* and Stateline Angels*.
*WAN investor-member
Other investment news:
More early stage market and investment news on the WAN newsroom webpage, www.wisconsinangelnetwork.com/newsroom. |
Upcoming events
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In Closing
At the Tech Council, an initial response to a legislator inquiring about a proposed bill is to "do no harm" to good policy and programs. Unfortunately the federal finance overhaul legislation, set to be introduced in the Senate after the spring recess, does significant harm to the early stage investment market. Changes to the accredited definition coupled with more regulation on multi-state, co-investment deals will stifle progress made on linking investment groups together, such as the Midwest co-Investment Network. Everyone involved in the early stage investment market should learn more about the legislation and get involved by encouraging the Senate to "do no harm" to our market. Follow this link to more information.
Please share eVestor with others; if you're not on our e-mail list, click here to join.
Joe Kremer, director
Wisconsin Angel Network
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