In an effort to increase connections between Wisconsin’s start-ups and established corporations, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and gener8tor are launching an event (OnRamp) that will give young companies the opportunity to pitch their products and services to established corporations. Startups wishing to participate in the event are encouraged to apply through the program's f6s portal.
The inaugural OnRamp event will be held Friday, December 6, 2013 at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel headquarters. The event is intended to help startups in the critical effort to find sales channels and to provide a way for established companies to engage with the entrepreneurial community. It highlights the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and gener8tor’s commitment to helping Wisconsin’s emerging entrepreneurs succeed.
Participating corporations include the Milwaukee Bucks, American Family Insurance, Assurant Health, Granite Microsystems, Menasha Corporation, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Nordic Consulting.
Startups wishing to apply are encouraged to research each of the participating corporations to better understand which corporations they would like to pitch. Each participating corporation will receive those startup applications that requested to pitch to them and those whose applications indicate a potential customer opportunity. Participating corporations will then choose 4-6 startups to pitch them at the event.
Those startups selected to pitch at the event will be notified on 12/4 and 12/5 and offered a time slot to pitch at the 12/6 event. Because of the short turn-around time, we ask that each startup be prepared to pitch any of the participating corporations on 24-48 hours notice. Selected startups are requested to arrive at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Headquarters at 333 W. State St. at least 30 minutes before their scheduled pitch. No technology will be available at the event. Startups are encouraged to bring brief handouts of powerpoint presentations or sales collateral to aid in their presentation. Startup pitches will last 15 minutes with 10 minutes available for Q&A.
To prepare for the event, gener8tor and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel are hosting a Meetup at the Milwaukee Ale House at 5:30 pm on 12/5. The Meetup will feature the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Marty Kaiser (editor-in-chief), Betsy Brenner (president and publisher), and George Stanley (managing editor) in addition to the gener8tor founding team. Startups wishing to learn more about the OnRamp Wisconsin event are encouraged to attend and ask any questions.
At the conclusion of the OnRamp Wisconsin event, participating corporations will select one startup to either purchase from or mentor (at least two lunches/coffees). Organizers will notify each selected startup with appropriate follow-up steps.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and gener8tor are grateful to each of the participating corporations, volunteers and supporting partners including StartupMKE, Digital Fertilizer, and Capital Entrepreneurs.
Anyone with additional questions or follow-up is encouraged to contact Joe@gener8tor.com.
gener8tor Winter 2014 Application Deadline
The application deadline for gener8tor's Winter 2014 accelerator program in Madison is Monday, December 1st.
gener8tor invests its community, capital, expertise, mentorship and network in capable, early-stage entrepreneurs with innovative business models. gener8tor works with the startups in its portfolio to create successful, scalable companies.
gener8tor is seeking to invest in technology-enabled businesses, including software, IT, web, SaaS and hardware. Accepted companies receive $70,000 and 12-weeks of mentorship-driven programming. gener8tor is a proud member of the Global Accelerator Network (GAN) and is sponsored by American Family Insurance.
If you or anyone you know is interested in applying gener8tor, check out gener8tor's website and application page on f6s by December 1, 2013.
Please email Joe@gener8tor.com with any questions.
Strengthening Wisconsin's Entrepreneurial Community
Tuesday night Startup Milwaukee has partnered with fellow entrepreneur-led organizations 100state, Capital Entrepreneurs, Digital Fertilizer and gener8tor to brainstorm solutions that strengthen Wisconsin's entrepreneurial community. Wisconsin continues to lag the country in many of the key measures of entrepreneurial activity, but entrepreneurs from around the state are determined to reverse these trends.
So Tuesday night at 96square join 150+ entrepreneurs from Madison, Milwaukee and Northeast Wisconsin as we brainstorm practical ideas to strengthen and support Wisconsin's entrepreneurial community, RSVP here.
Five Easy Steps to Unlock Media Coverage
So you want to see your name in lights. Media coverage is one of the best and least expensive ways to let the world know about you and your company (or rock band, for that matter). The trouble with media coverage is that you can’t buy it or send a regular email to get it. With a couple of simple tools, you can create a press kit that viagra shop usa will help you attract the attention of local media outlets.
This is the first part of a three part series. Let’s get started!
The first part of your press kit is your media list. The media list is a collection of names and email addresses for local reporters and journalists. Pick reporters and journalists who are likely to cover you and your business. The best way to get ignored is to send a press release about a new product to a reporter who covers music and arts (don’t be this person). If you don’t have a good media list even the world's best press release will fall flat. This is the leg work that will make your media campaign successful.
Here are five easy ways to make a targeted media list:
1) Define your audience. Who are you trying to reach? Who are your customers?
2) Identify the publications that your audience reads.
3) Look at each of these publications and get to know the type of content they publish.
4) Find the journalist who has previously covered topics similar to yours.
5) Find that journalist’s contact information and add it to your media contact list.
Follow these five easy steps to find a handful of reporters and you will be well on your way to a successful media campaign!
Part 3: Create Your Winning Press Kit
About the Author:
Steve Anderson is an entrepreneur who lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Currently he is the COO of LessonLogs and the Founder of Laylines Consulting. He has helped numerous companies obtain seed stage funding and is a previous winner of Startup Weekend Madison. In addition, Steve has a Masters Degree from the Wisconsin School of Business. Find him on Twitter: @LaylinesSteve.
Startup of the Week: WeMontage
WeMontage creates an easy and accessible way to transform personal photos into home decor. Founded by James Oliver, Jr., WeMontage lets you upload your favorite photos, create a custom collage and print on large, removable wall coverings. Assisted by startup accelerator gener8tor, WeMontage is a great way to celebrate friends, family and weddings. These personal wall coverings are also great Father’s Day gifts! The removal wallpaper has the look and feel of engineered cotton, does not require additional adhesive and doesn’t damage walls. It easily sticks to textured walls and walls with eggshell synthroid substitute order on line paint. These great wall coverings are only $10 per square foot.
A 6ft. x 4ft. WeMontage in the office of Madison-based startup, The Art Commission, who wanted to tastefully display some of their clients’ images they had taped to the wall
The team of San Francisco social fashion startup, Modera, installing a custom branding project done by WeMontage
Visit WeMontage.com for more information or to order your own personalized wall coverings from this up-and-coming Wisconsin startup company.
Key Facts:
- Founder: James Oliver Jr.
- Founded On: January 8, 2012
- Employees: 3
- Headquarters: Neenah, Wisconsin
- Funding: gener8tor