+Venture North

September 26, 2024

Hosted at Milwaukee Tool

About +Venture North

Presented by NVNG Investment Advisors, +Venture North will showcase how collaboration and networks between venture capital and corporations can further propel Midwestern industries to become engines of economic growth. 

 

The program will delve into topics of relevance to the region’s largest industries and key interests while providing insights into cutting-edge trends and areas of focus for leading organizations. Attendees will hear perspectives from venture capitalists, corporate innovators, successful founders and operators, and more.

 

Additional events from NVNG this week include:

  • Welcome event with local founders: NVNG Founder Happy Hour happening the evening of 9/25. If you’re in town early, please stop by!
  • Post +Venture North: NVNG Annual Meeting Reception, evening of 9/26. This event is for our +Venture North speakers, NVNG LPs, and NVNG’s portfolio venture funds. If you’d like to attend, please reach out to Marina Rostein.
  • NVNG Annual Meeting: Morning of 9/27 hosted at RW Baird. For NVNG LPs and portfolio venture funds. If you are a prospective investor and would like to attend this day as well, please reach out to Marina Rostein.

Keynote: AI in Defense Tech: Why Your Capital Matters

Steven Simoni

CEO & Founder at Allen Control Systems

Justin Kaufenberg

Managing Director at Rally Ventures

Featured Sessions

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Grady Buchanan

Managing Director at NVNG

Steve Booth

Chairman & CEO at Baird

Tim Albrecht

Group President at Milwaukee Tool

A New Industrial Base – Navigating Investments in Aerospace & Defense

Dive into the complex world of aerospace and defense venture investing as we explore the convergence of VCs, entrepreneurs, and corporations, where software and hardware come together to unlock and de-risk futuristic concepts across the sector. We will discuss significant changes over the past decade, including the resurgence of American manufacturing, the strategic shift towards insourcing and reshoring, and the growing emphasis on “dual-use” technologies. Expect an insightful discussion on how global conflict, national security, and new political landscapes are shaping the future of this vital industry.

Van Espahbodi

Founding Partner at Generational Partners

Cory Tincher

Principal at Detroit Venture Partners

Roman Mueller

Executive Director, RTX Ventures at RTX

Chris Warren

Co-Founder & CEO at Coronal Technologies

What’s Happening in Food, Beverage, & Agriculture

Join us for an insightful discussion featuring industry experts as they delve into the dynamic intersection of food and agriculture while shedding light on emerging trends and opportunities within broader industries such as packaging, supply chain, and new technologies. The experts will offer perspectives on navigating market shifts, optimizing investment strategies as both venture capitalists and corporations, and their most recent investments and initiatives across their industry.

Audre Kapacinskas

Principal Corporate Development at S2G Ventures

Nick Fallucca

Chief Innovation Officer at Palermo’s Pizza

Kevin Ladwig

Managing Director at 1945 Capital

Shayna Harris

Founding Partner at Supply Change Capital

Whats Next for Consumers: Building Brands that Stand the Test of Time & Trends

Opening with a presentation by Mike Jones with Science Inc, this session will explore brand-building dynamics from both startup and corporate perspectives. It will also cover how new consumer trends are shaping the creation and evolution of brands, the role of venture capital in nurturing early-stage companies, and the impact of the studio model on fostering brand growth. Whether you’re an investor or a corporate leader, this session will provide valuable insights into building enduring and thriving brands amidst evolving consumer trends and market demands.

Mike Jones

Partner at Science Inc.

Carol Krienik

Senior Marketing Manager, Innovation at Molson Coors Beverage Company

Joel Quadracci

Chairman, President & CEO at Quad

Meg Sranske

Executive Director at SC Johnson New Ventures

Future-Proofing Talent: Cultivating Culture & Skills for Tomorrow’s Workforce

Explore the evolving landscape of talent management and organizational culture in this session that will address the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of micro and macro factors affecting the workforce, including the impact of AI, shifts in educational paradigms, and strategies for bridging talent mismatches. The session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the future of work, highlighting key strategies for managing talent, embracing technological advancements, and preparing for demographic shifts.

Rajesh Namboothiry

SVP North America at Manpower Group

Eric Baumgartner, PhD

Executive Vice President of Academics at Milwaukee School of Engineering

Rahil Siddiqui

Founder & CEO at Wilya

Ashley Becker

VP Talent at Milwaukee Tool

The Future of Advanced Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector is grappling with a tight labor market and macroeconomic supply chain disruptions, creating a challenging business climate and ongoing economic uncertainty. Join us for an engaging discussion on the evolving landscape of the manufacturing sector that will explore the latest trends and investment opportunities shaping the industry. Discover how artificial intelligence and machine learning are set to revolutionize manufacturing; why investments in digital solutions are on the rise, and how smart manufacturing practices and technologies are being adopted to enhance operational efficiency and drive innovation.

Colin Greenspon

Founder & Managing Partner at Narya Capital

Paul Jones

VP Corporate Development and Strategy at A.O. Smith

Kyle Crum

Director of Advanced Technology at Rockwell Automation

Joe Hamann, Ph.D.

Executive Director at Connected Systems Institute

Capital Favors the Connected

Creating and then nurturing successful startup ecosystems has proven to be an on-going challenge. Connections matter. This session will bring together leaders from different ecosystems, some well-established and others still emerging, to explore the essential building blocks for a thriving ecosystem. The evolving landscape of startups in today’s more virtual environment has created an opportunity to successfully grow ecosystems away from the coastal powerhouses in a way that is uniquely their own.

Serafina Lalany

Executive Director at Northwest Arkansas Council

Rick Smith

Founding Partner at Crosscut Ventures

Craig Schedler

Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures

Andrew Cleland

Chief Investment Officer at Techstars

Lunch & Keynote: AI in Defense Tech: Why Your Capital Matters

Steve Simoni isn’t your typical tech CEO—his path from the Navy to launching and selling a hospitality startup to DoorDash, and now leading a defense tech startup, is anything but conventional. His company, Allen Control Systems, is building AI with a purpose, blending cutting-edge technology with a mission that truly matters: protecting lives and advancing the security of our nation. This isn’t about buzzwords; it’s about making real impact in a world that needs it. Get ready to see how Steve’s vision is turning AI into more than just software—it’s a force for change.

Steven Simoni

CEO & Founder at Allen Control Systems

Justin Kaufenberg

Managing Director at Rally Ventures

Intersection of Energy, Power, & Digital Innovation

Listen as industry experts delve into key trends affecting energy technology and industry dynamics, addressing how utilities and corporations are adapting to growing demands and innovations. The session will cover the challenges and opportunities for startups and investors building and investing within the energy market, providing a comprehensive overview of current energy trends, the interplay between startup innovation and incumbent needs, and practical strategies for startups and corporations to collaborate effectively.

Matt Jensen

Principal at G2 Venture Partners

Molly Mulroy

Executive VP & CAO at WEC Energy Group

Rob Benninghoff

Director, Corporate Development, Sustainability & Transformation at US Venture

Brian Mayers

Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures

AI’s Impact in Healthcare

Venture and corporate experts will discuss the transformative effects of artificial intelligence on the healthcare industry. The session features prominent venture capitalists and leading corporate executives from major healthcare organizations, each providing unique perspectives on investments in the space and how AI is reshaping patient care, operational efficiencies, and industry standards. They will explore the future of digital healthcare ecosystems and discuss the regulatory landscape affecting AI solutions in healthcare. The panelists will provide a forward-looking perspective on technological advancements and their implications for patients and providers.

Kristi Ebong

Partner at HealthX Ventures

Tom Livelli

Vice President Life Sciences at Promega Corporation

Kip McCoy

Innovation at OSF Healthcare

Eric Berry

Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Bedford Bridge

Escaping Pilot Purgatory

Let’s get tactical. Join us for an engaging session designed to bridge the gap between corporations and the startup companies attempting to sell into them. You will hear best practices, real-world examples about the challenges of integrating startups into corporate environments. The session starts with a brief presentation to set the stage, introducing a playbook for engaging with corporates and the models used which will be followed by founders that will share their firsthand experiences. This session aims to provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics involved and learn how to avoid common pitfalls while maximizing the value of collaborations.

Ty Findley

Co-Founder & General Partner at Ironspring Ventures

Ben O’Rourke

Chief Revenue Officer at Copia

Jason Heltzer

Managing Partner at Origin Ventures

Darrin Murriner

Co-Founder & CEO at Cloverleaf

Leveraging Federal Grants in Making WI a Biohealth Tech Hub

This session will focus on Wisconsin’s efforts to become a leader in biohealth innovation. It will feature a presentation on a recent grant awarded to Wisconsin to advance its position as a tech hub in the biohealth sector, followed by a discussion with local and national stakeholders about the initiative’s objectives, key projects, and anticipated benefits for the region.

Mara Lord, PhD

SVP, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Medical College of Wisconsin

Jay Hill

VP, Advanced Technology at GE HealthCare

Paul Stone

Partner at 5AM Ventures

Todd Asmuth

President & CSO at SHINE Medical Technologies, Inc

Venture Vignettes

This year, we’ll also feature a few Venture Vignettes throughout the day. These breakout rooms will focus on creating the infrastructure for corporate innovation, launching new startups out of venture firms, the role the studio model can play, and why we’re bullish on the Midwest… Stay tuned!

Justin Kaufenberg

Managing Director at Rally Ventures

Vijen Patel

Founding Partner at The 81 Collection

Lesa Mitchell

Managing Director at High Alpha Innovation

Matt Stuyvenberg

VP Software & Water Quality at Badger Meter

Francisco Gomez

Partner at Vault Fund

Paul Plakut

Managing Partner at Green Box Group

Wisconsin Startup Stories – Spotlight on Wisconsin Founders

Wisconsin-based companies, from across industries and development stages, will take the stage highlighting the diverse nature of Wisconsin’s ecosystem and walk us through their companies and how the local community can support their businesses. Presented by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Joe Poeschl

Director of Engagement at MKE Tech Hub Coalition

Nick Mastronardi

Founder at Polco

Matt Maroon

CEO at C-Motive Technologies

Maneesh Arora

Founder & CEO at Elephas

Jon Heup

President at DeltaHawk Engines, Inc.

Sandy Padala

Founder at Rex Academy

Alex Yampolsky, PharmD

CEO at MedServe

Ben Kvalo

Founder at Midwest Games

Laura King

Founder & CEO at Accure Medical

Faraz Choudhury, PhD

Founder at Immuto Scientific

Kurt Roots

CEO & Co-Founder at Bend Health

Greg Williamson

Senior Venture Investment Director at Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Closing Remarks by NVNG Investment Advisors

Carrie Thome

Managing Director at NVNG

Grady Buchanan

Managing Director at NVNG

Marina Rostein headshot

Marina Rostein

Head of Platform at NVNG

Rooftop Reception

Join us at the end of the day for a rooftop reception with a stunning view of Milwaukee, along with drinks and light appetizers. Beverages to be provided by our friends at Molson Coors.

Uniquely Milwaukee

For more than 150 years, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) has been serving area businesses as a private, not-for-profit organization. Today they represent 1,800+ member businesses with more than 300,000 employees in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, and Ozaukee counties and beyond. Join us at the reception to hear how to improve metro Milwaukee as a place to invest capital, grow business, and create jobs.

Dale Kooyenga

President at MMAC

Eighty One collection logo
Eighty One collection logo
Eighty One collection logo

Session Speakers

Tim Albrecht

Group President at Milwaukee Tool

Maneesh Arora

Founder & CEO at Elephas

Todd Asmuth

President & CSO at SHINE Medical Technologies, Inc

Eric Baumgartner, PhD

Executive Vice President of Academics at Milwaukee School of Engineering

Ashley Becker

VP Talent at Milwaukee Tool

Rob Benninghoff

Director, Corporate Development, Sustainability & Transformation at US Venture

Eric Berry

Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Bedford Bridge

Steve Booth

Chairman & CEO at Baird

Faraz Choudhury, PhD

Founder at Immuto Scientific

Andrew Cleland

Chief Investment Officer at Techstars

Kyle Crum

Director of Advanced Technology at Rockwell Automation

Kristi Ebong

Partner at HealthX Ventures

Van Espahbodi

Founding Partner at Generational Partners

Nick Fallucca

Chief Innovation Officer at Palermo’s Pizza

Ty Findley

Co-Founder & General Partner at Ironspring Ventures

Francisco Gomez

Partner at Vault Fund

Sponsors

Premier

Venue Host

Experience Partners

Supporting

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FAQs

About the Organizer

Our long-time experience and diverse set of talents span decades of work in the institutional investment, technology transfer, venture capital, and startup company industries. We operate as a disciplined guide and experienced connector intent on serving an engaged and mutually beneficial community of active investors, venture capital funds, and underlying portfolio companies.

Carrie Thome

Managing Director

Grady Buchanan

Managing Director
Marina Rostein headshot

Marina Rostein

Head of Platform