Technology is a vital component to the economic
recovery and is bringing economic development to all
corners of the state. The expansion of broadband
access
beyond metropolitan areas coupled with new,
web-based tools is helping investors and
entrepreneurs
connect, no matter where they live.
Coming up next
week are two examples of technology
helping expand the early stage market. Investors from
two states and in six locations are meeting virtually to
review three deals. While the Lake Superior
Angel Network continues to develop as it uses
on-demand video and on-line technologies to help
manage the group and its investment targets. More
on these events along with other news below.
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Lake Superior Angel Network
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The Lake Superior Angel Network (LSAN) will hold its
second investment meeting on April 24 from 11 am - 1
pm in Supieror, WI. During its first
meeting in February, the group heard
presentations by two Lake Superior region
entrepreneurs and one co-investment deal.
The Lake
Superior
Angel Network is one of a few networks to make
investment meetings available to its
members on-line and on-demand. Members unable
to
attend last month's meeting have been able to view
the
presentations and download business plans on-line.
For more
information about the LSAN or the upcoming
investment meeting, please visit
www.lakesuperiorangels.com or contact Joe
Kremer at
jkremer@lakesuperiorangels.com or (608) 442-7557.
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Investors Connecting Virtually
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On Tuesday, April 21, investors at six different
locations in Illinois and Wisconsin will be linking up
using video conferencing technology to review three
investment deals. Two of the deals will be the first
introduced through the Midwest co-Investment
Network, a collection of angel networks and funds
interested in working together to invest in funding
rounds too large for one group alone.
The idea to link investors in this manner was first
dreamed up by Dennis Serio, founder of the Illinois
Business and Investors Forum (www.ilbif.com).
Started several years ago, the Forum has advanced
beyond the borders of Illinois as technology has made
it possible for more locations to link up.
Wisconsin
locations include Madison and Milwaukee.
Investors interested in joining in, please follow this link to more information.
Special
thank you to our Milwaukee host Whyte
Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.
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Governor's Business Plan Contest
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Twenty-one entries from 14 communities are
competing in the finalist round of the sixth annual
Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest. The
contestants have survived two rounds of judging
in the contest organized through the Wisconsin
Technology Council, which produces the contest in
conjunction with the Wisconsin Innovation Network,
the Wisconsin Angel Network and other statewide
affiliates. The contest began in late January with a
record 326 entries from about 100 communities. Read more...
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SBA Loan Guarantees
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SBA guaranteed loans are used by many small
businesses to help launch and expand. Since many
of these loans
are only available to businesses rejected by
commercial lenders, they play an important role in
economic development.
Last month President
Obama announced
the expansion of the SBA loan guarantee
program. On April 16, Eric Ness, district director for
the U.S. SBA will be presenting to
the Wisconsin Innovation Network's Northeast
Chapter and answering questions on how small
businesses can use the program to grow. Follow this link to more information on
the event.
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Marquette's New Entrepreneurship Program
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Marquette University recently launched a new
graduate certificate in Entrepreneurship. The program
will instill entrepreneurial thinking across campus in
many disciplines with the aim of providing students
the skills needed to launch a business. Learn more
here.
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Deals, Acquisitions and Exits
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Sologear, LLC, $700,000 by individual
investors.
Michelle's Miracles, $250,000 by
Phenomenelle Angels*.
TrafficCast Int'l, $350,000 by Phenomenelle
Angels* and DaneVest*.
*WAN investor-member
Other News:
Cell Line Genetics LLC received a $250,000
loan from the state, read more.
Are we missing a deal or other news?
Please e-mail us at
info@wisconsinangelnetwork.com.
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