Thank you for a great inaugural +Venture North in Milwaukee. Interested in learning more about what was covered? The 2023 agenda and speaker information is located on this page.

About +Venture North

This one-day event will be centered on the strategic uses of venture capital, where we will explore in detail topics relevant to Midwestern industries and how venture capital can successfully transform ecosystems into engines of economic growth. Strategically, the day will explore current trends and areas of focus for leading organizations – from the viewpoints of venture capitalists, corporate innovators, and a few founders currently building in the space. Discover how robust venture capital and corporate networks can create sustainable engines of continued growth. Hear directly from the experts what is happening in areas relevant to you through fireside chats, panel presentations, and keynote addresses!

View the 2023 Program

Keynote

Ben Fried

Venture Partner at Rally Ventures; Former Chief Information Officer at Google

Justin Kaufenberg

Managing Director at Rally Ventures

Agenda

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Micaela Bomhack

President & CEO at Rite-Hite

Gordon Pan

President at Baird Capital

The New Age of Manufacturing – Innovation within Industries Shaping our Modern World

Discover the evolution of older industries into modern powerhouses through innovation. This session will delve into the realm of flexible manufacturing, smart factories, and the swift digital-industrial transformation that companies are embracing.

Collier Bern

Partner at Riot Ventures

Austin Ramirez

CEO at Husco

Sachin Shivaram

CEO at Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry

Ty Findley

Co-Founder & General Partner at Ironspring Ventures

Venture Capital’s Role in Growing a Community

Gain insights into the entrepreneurial fabric of the Midwest as we examine the positioning of Milwaukee and broader Wisconsin in relation to leading hubs like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Columbus. You will hear from venture capitalists as they unravel the evolutionary journey of these established ecosystems and discover how strategic planning and investments shaped their growth over time.

Ryan Broshar

General Partner at Matchstick Ventures

Eli Blee-Goldman

GP & Co-Founder at Character

Falon Donohue

Partner at Narya Capital

Jonathan Ellis

Founder & General Partner at Sandalphon Capital

Innovation with Impact – Disruptive Technologies in Water

Explore Impact Investing with Social Impact Capital, followed by a fireside chat featuring the Founder of a desalination startup and the EVP at A. O. Smith along with being the Chair at The Water Council. They will discuss trends in the water-tech space, how startups are leveraging research to solve global problems, and how Milwaukee is working towards the title of an ‘NSF Resiliency Innovation Engine.’

Sarah Cone

Founder & Managing Partner at Social Impact Capital

Jim Stern

EVP at A. O. Smith Corporation; Chair at The Water Council

Jon Czas

Founder at Trident Desalination

The Startup Community Way – What’s Working in Wisconsin?

Participate in a fireside chat with Kathy Henrich and Ian Hathaway as they delve into the dynamics of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Following this, hear directly from the players; the State’s economic development agency, a regional economic development organization, and a real life corporate example of what a startup can become over time corporation, as they share their perspectives and responses to the conversation, offering valuable insights into fostering successful entrepreneurial environments.

Kathy Henrich

CEO at MKE Tech Hub Coalition

Ian Hathaway

Founding Partner at Far Out VC; Author of The Startup Community Way

Jason Fields

President at MadREP

Katie Boyce

Sr. Director of Corporate Impact and Community Relations at Exact Sciences

Sam Rikkers

Deputy Secretary & COO at Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

Launching and Operating in the Midwest – The Founder Journey

In this session, Midwest founders who have secured venture capital, scaled their enterprises, and cultivated relationships with corporate clients and partners will share their experiences. Gain insights into the unique challenges and triumphs they encountered while building their businesses here, as compared to the coastal regions. Discover how the Midwest’s entrepreneurial ecosystem influences their journey towards growth and innovation.

Victor Gutwein

Managing Partner at M25

Brooks Busch

Co-Founder & CEO at Elate

Garry Cooper, Ph.D

Founder & CEO at Rheaply

Rick Knudtson

Co-Founder & CEO at Workshop

Shifting the Midwest Culture – (Re)Establishing the Silicon Valley Mindset

Explore the Midwest’s transition from offline to online in this discussion that will address a critical question: does the Midwest’s conservative nature hinder innovation? Join us as we hear from emerging and established venture capitalists who will shed light on the local funding landscape and why this asset class requires a higher risk tolerance should be at the forefront of corporate thinking. Gain insights into why the next wave of innovation should target our own backyard, as we uncover the region’s potential for growth.

Dan Renouard

Strategy at Baird

Gino Rooney

Co-Founder at Classet

Joanna Arras

Partner at Baird Capital

Vijen Patel

Founding Partner at The 81 Collection

Lunch & Keynote Speakers

Grab lunch and then take a seat for this fireside chat with Ben Fried, Former Chief Information Officer at Google and currently a Venture Partner at Rally Ventures.

Ben Fried

Venture Partner at Rally Ventures; Former Chief Information Officer at Google

Justin Kaufenberg

Managing Director at Rally Ventures

Supply chain into the 2030s: A New Paradigm for Labor, Automation, and Consumer Demand

Discover the intricacies of supply chain management amidst labor shortages and shifting consumer preferences. The speakers will delve into pioneering software and payment solutions that bolster efficiency and performance within the supply chain landscape.

Guy Turner

Managing Partner at Hyde Park Venture Partners

Brian Stuelpner

VP Strategy, Planning, Architecture at Schneider National

Jon Bradford

Managing Partner at Dynamo Ventures

Priya Rajagopalan

Chief Product Officer at FourKites

Technologies on and off “Campuses”

Join a discussion that will explore the complex task of extracting innovation and intellectual property from universities and corporate settings. What are the intellectual and human capital requirements to do so and who at the organization can take the lead? Participating in the discussion are two venture firms with long experience commercializing campus technologies, Anzu Industrial Partners and Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP).

David Michael

Managing Partner at Anzu Partners

Bonnie Bachman

Director, Technology Entrepreneurship Office at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Daniel Sem

Associate VP of Research & Innovation at Concordia University & CU Ventures

Julia Davourie

Partner at PVP Seed Fund (Convergent Ventures)

The Changing Landscape of Real Estate, Property Tech, FinTech, and Insurance

Delve into a dynamic conversation about innovation with Moderne Ventures, a firm investing in technology companies in and around the multi-trillion-dollar industries of real estate, finance, insurance, and home services. In this session, gain invaluable insights from corporate entities and early-stage companies as they explore the driving forces behind innovation and the transformative impact of technology within these industries.

Liza Benson

Partner at Moderne Ventures

Jarred Kessler

CEO at EasyKnock

Jeffrey Kok

Chief Operating Officer at Aerwave

Rebecca Splitt

Founder & Corporate Startup Studio Advisor at Onward & Upward

Positioning for the Future – The Innovation Journeys of Corporations

Gain valuable insights into the corporate innovation landscape as Wisconsin’s leaders share their experiences and progress. Discover how these companies embarked on their innovation journeys, both internally and externally, and gain a deeper understanding of their current standing in this dynamic arena.

Jack Wigdale

President & CEO at SixSibs Capital, Rite-Hite Family Office

Greg LaPoint

COO & Managing Partner at Edge – Gundersen Health System

Kathryn Clouse

Sr. Manager – Innovation, Kitchen and Bath at Kohler Co.

Mike Victorson

CEO at M3 Insurance

Vinith (Vinny) Poduval

Senior Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Schreiber Foods, Inc.

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.

Joe Poeschl

Director of Engagement at MKE Tech Hub Coalition

Alex Tyink

Founder & CEO at Fork Farms

Amanda DoAmaral

Founder at Fiveable

Corey Jaskolski

Founder & CEO at Synthetaic

Kieran Furlong

CEO & Co-Founder at Realta Fusion

Kurt Heikkinen

Founder & CEO at Forj

Meghan Gaffney

Founder & CEO at Veda

Nitin Ranjan

Founder & CEO at Golgix

Pat Deno

Co-Founder & COO at RoddyMedical

Rusty Zosel

CEO at Greenlink Systems

Championship Playbook: Milwaukee Bucks

Grab a refreshment in Rite-Hite’s beautiful hospitality space and join us as we hear from Robert Cordova, Chief Technology & Strategy Officer at the Milwaukee Bucks. Robert will share how the Bucks were transformed from an ailing brand to one that is now recognized across the league.

Robert Cordova

Chief Technology & Strategy Officer at Milwaukee Bucks Inc.

Reception and Tours

During happy hour, Rite-Hite will offer interested attendees a guided, 30 minute tour of their one-of a kind Customer Experience Center. Join them at either 4:30 & 5:00 PM to learn more about all they do. Tours will depart from the Café where happy hour will be held.

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Session Speakers

Alex Tyink

Founder & CEO at Fork Farms

Amanda DoAmaral

Founder at Fiveable

Austin Ramirez

CEO at Husco

Ben Fried

Venture Partner at Rally Ventures; Former Chief Information Officer at Google

Bonnie Bachman

Director, Technology Entrepreneurship Office at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Brian Stuelpner

VP Strategy, Planning, Architecture at Schneider National

Brooks Busch

Co-Founder & CEO at Elate

Collier Bern

Partner at Riot Ventures

Corey Jaskolski

Founder & CEO at Synthetaic

Dan Renouard

Strategy at Baird

Daniel Sem

Associate VP of Research & Innovation at Concordia University & CU Ventures

David Michael

Managing Partner at Anzu Partners

Eli Blee-Goldman

GP & Co-Founder at Character

Falon Donohue

Partner at Narya Capital

Garry Cooper, Ph.D

Founder & CEO at Rheaply

Gino Rooney

Co-Founder at Classet

Sponsors

Premier

Sustaining

Supporting

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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