MASSAPEQUA, N.Y., Sept. 9 The 7th Annual MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum, one of the nation's largest regional platforms to showcase healthcare start-ups, will attract more than 250 venture capitalists, corporate executives, healthcare start-ups, university researchers & tech transfer officers, along with state and regional economic development professionals to Madison.
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On November 11th & 12th you will have the chance to listen to keynote speakers Joe Morgan, Chief Investment Officer of SVB Asset Management; Dr. Sangtae "Sang" King, Executive Director of the Morgridge Institute for Research; and Dr. John Wiley, Former Chancellor of UW-Madison and Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. They will address topics ranging from the "The Economy: How high is the water, Mama?" to "Current Happenings of Private Partnerships & Technology Commercialization".
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The MidAmerica Healthcare Investors Network, which co-produces the forum with International Business Forum, Inc. in New York, is an association of more than 50 venture capital firms from 14 states, with more than $2 billion under management.
The healthcare focus for the forum primarily includes biotechnology, medical devices, bioinformatics, healthcare information technology and healthcare services. Key MHIN members in Wisconsin include Baird Venture Partners and Venture Investors LLC. The Wisconsin Technology Council and Forward Wisconsin have taken the lead in working with IBF and MHIN to host the 2009 Forum.
"There has never been a more important time to attract a well known forum of this stature to Wisconsin," said Governor Doyle, who noted that many life sciences companies in Wisconsin are poised to attract venture capital. "This is a chance to bring the right investors to the right place at the right time."
The forum will feature leading-edge industry topics and highlight 40 healthcare start-ups that are seeking their next round of capital. To submit an application to present, visit www.midamericahealthcareforum.com by September 18th.
"In the life sciences sector, the recession in the financial sector has affected venture capital in a much deeper way than it has angel investment," said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. "However, Wisconsin needs to attract more venture capital and this event can help do so by informing investors about the state life sciences community.
"There could not be a more opportune time to bring the event to Madison," said John Neis, managing partner of Venture Investors LLC. "As everyone knows, we are in a very difficult climate for raising capital. As our entrepreneurial community has grown, the financing requirements of the companies have grown correspondingly. By holding this event in Madison, we have an opportunity to showcase our state's companies at a time they may need it most."
Forum Sponsors include Forward Wisconsin, Grant Thornton, B.C. Ziegler & Company, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, The Domann Organization, Inc., The Wisconsin Technology Council, and Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.
Forum Exhibitors include the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Statking Consulting, Thrive, University Research Park, UW - Madison Office of Corporate Relations, Venture Investors, LLC, WARF, Robert W. Baird & Co., and Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
To learn more about sponsorship/exhibiting opportunities, presenting company applications or program content please visit www.midamericahealthcareforum.com or contact Carissa Stavrakos at 516-765-9005 or [email protected].
SOURCE International Business Forum
