03 Oct Early Stage Symposium session will help emerging companies prepare for investors
Madison, Wis. – Companies that register for the Oct. 19-20 Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium may attend a seminar that will help them prepare to seek private equity at the state, regional and even national level.
“Venture Readiness Tools for Commercialization Success” will be held Oct. 20 as a track within the larger conference at Madison ‘s Monona Terrace Convention Center . Companies registered for the full symposium may take part in the 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. venture seminar at no extra cost.
Taking part in the seminar also qualifies companies to be considered for an “Elevator Pitch Olympics,” to be held within the conference, during which early-stage companies would make two-minute presentations to a panel of investors.
The seminar will be led by Courtney Price and Mack Davis of VentureQuest LTD , a Denver-based firm that works with and designs programs for high-growth companies, federal laboratories and universities worldwide. Their program has been selected as the “best entrepreneurship training in America ” by the Kauffman Foundation.
Once a company has asked to take part, they will be contacted to complete an online “New Venture Readiness Assessment.” The user-friendly self-assessment tool provides entrepreneurs with a benchmark score regarding their business practices and investment readiness. It takes about 20 minutes to complete and includes about three-dozen questions in six categories: entrepreneurial mindset, industry, market, management team, financial viability and product/technology/innovation.
The assessment provides a benchmark “new venture evaluation” that pinpoints both strong and weak areas so entrepreneurs can better focus their efforts to become investment-ready.
Based on its score, each company will be assigned to an Oct. 20 seminar track consistent with the overall maturity of the company. The morning is devoted to discussions about business planning, the commercialization process, business and market development, product development and testing, and feedback on the New Venture Readiness Assessment. During the afternoon session, company representatives will develop on an action plan to move their new venture to the next stage of business growth, which may include pursuit of private equity capital.
Each participating company should leave the VentureQuest seminar with an action plan. To register or to learn more about other aspects of the Early Stage Symposium, go to www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/events/earlystage and be sure to click on General Attendee Registration Details.