May 10th, 2024
Welcome to Founder Day 2024
Join us for an unprecedented day of learning, networking, and growth. Founder Day 2024, hosted by Altus and Capital Entrepreneurs, is dedicated to connecting founders, business owners, and consultants within the tech, e-commerce, and business development sectors. Dive into sessions led by industry leaders, engage in strategic networking opportunities, and propel your venture to new heights.
Free to attend with limited space - RSVP Required
Gain actionable insights from top professionals.
Connect with peers and industry leaders.
Discover tools and strategies to scale your business.
Speaker Highlights
- Jeff Glazer: Unveiling the intricacies of financing and capital structures.
- Jazmynn Appleton: Mastering the art of effective networking.
- Will Robus: Navigating product development to avoid costly mistakes.
- Tyler Waite: Unlocking funding opportunities with SBIR grants.
- Olivia Wisden & Michael Szewczyk: Defining your business identity for success.
- Nick Myers: Integrating AI to enhance business efficiency.
- Emily Buchholz: Foster successful collaborations, and navigate legal agreements confidently.
Agenda
Join us for an invigorating day packed with expert-led sessions, workshops, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Each carefully curated segment of Founder Day 2024 is designed to address the challenges faced by today’s entrepreneurs, equip you with actionable insights, and enable strategic connections to accelerate your business growth.
Morning Schedule
- 8:00 AM - Networking, Coffee & Registration Kickstart the day with a fresh brew and fresh connections. Get to know fellow attendees and lay the groundwork for potential collaborations.
- 9:00 AM - Opening Program Reviewing Regional Businesses & The State of Financing Fundraising" Hear insights on local business landscapes and the latest trends in fundraising.
- 10:00 AM - Expert Sessions Begin
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Navigating Financing & Capital Table Deal Structures
Speaker: Jeff Glazer Grasp -
Networking Mastery: Strategies for Building Meaningful Connections
Speaker: Jazmynn Appleton -
Smart Product Development: Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Speaker: Will Robus
- 11:00 AM - Workshop Delve into interactive workshops designed to apply your learnings practically.
Afternoon Schedule
- 12:00 PM - Lunch & Program Join us for lunch and listen to innovators from the Bio Hub and Altus Startup Accelerator share their journeys.
- 1:00 PM - Shared Service Expo Discover a range of services to support your startup's growth and success.
- 2:00 PM - Afternoon Sessions Commence
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Developing Basic Contracts: Insights from UW Law Clinic
Speaker: Emily Buchholz -
Unlocking Funding Opportunities: Applying for SBIR Grants
Speaker: Tyler Waite -
Defining Your Business Identity: Lifestyle vs. Startup Ventures
Speakers: Olivia Wisden and Michael Szewczyk -
AI Integration Strategies: Moving Beyond the Tagline
Speaker: Nick Myers
- 3:00 PM - 1:1 Connections Schedule personal time with experts, mentors, and peers to discuss specific questions or collaborative opportunities.
- 4:00 PM - Happy Hour Wind down the day with casual conversations and a toast to new opportunities and partnerships.
Speakers
Morning Sessions
Navigating Financing & Capital Table Deal Structures
Discover key concepts in financing and capital table deal structures with insights from the UW Law Clinic. Learn the art of transitioning from a term sheet to a finalized deal through meticulous negotiation and due diligence.
Jeff Glazer, Attorney, Entrepreneur, and Dane County Supervisor
Jeff Glazer is a seasoned attorney and an advocate for entrepreneurs, with a career spanning over two decades focused on business and intellectual property law. Currently serving as a Clinical Professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School’s Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic, he brings a wealth of practical and academic experience to Founder Day 2024. Jeff’s profound understanding of start-up ecosystems stems from supervising student attorneys in providing comprehensive legal services to startups and entrepreneurs.
With specialized expertise in technology licensing, trademarks, and copyrights, Jeff is notably proficient in the intricate domains of financing and capital table structures. His adeptness in transitioning term sheets into finalized deals is bolstered by his experience in negotiating development agreements and handling stock buy/sell and asset purchase agreements.
Beyond academia, Jeff’s insights into the legalities of entrepreneurship are enriched by his role as a Dane County Supervisor, where he’s an elected official for District 8 – City of Madison, on the west side. His previous tenure at Ogden Glazer + Schaefer and Glazer Legal Services underscores his in-depth exposure to IP prosecution, licensing, and a variety of transactional areas vital for emerging companies.
As the founder of Madison Craft Beer Week, Jeff has also demonstrated his acumen in technology, marketing, and legal considerations, proving his versatility and innovative approach to business. His education credentials, with a JD in Intellectual Property from Chicago-Kent College of Law and an MBA focusing on Finance and Marketing from The University of Akron, further solidify his stature as an expert equipped to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of financing and legal structures.
At Founder Day 2024, Jeff Glazer will share his comprehensive insights into financing and capital deal structures, providing attendees with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and secure successful business deals.
Networking Mastery: Strategies for Building Meaningful Connections
Master effective techniques and strategies to expand your professional network. Learn about referral networking as a tactic for business building, making the most of networking events, and cultivating valuable 1:1 relationships.
Jazmynn Appleton, Financial Specialist, Public Speaker, Author
Jazmynn Appleton, a Chicago native who grew up in Madison, WI, is a multifaceted entrepreneur, career woman, and devoted mother to her son, Jaedyn. Jazmynn serves as the Manager of Entrepreneurial Opportunities, with a pending transition to Chief Director of Entrepreneurial Growth and Innovation at the Progress Center for Black Women. This organization is dedicated to uplifting Black women and families through entrepreneurial and professional development training, financial education, and comprehensive support.
She is the co-founder of FOCUS, an entrepreneurial training accelerator that has gained recognition from media outlets like the Wisconsin State Journal and Cap Times. Through FOCUS, Jazmynn has been instrumental in guiding entrepreneurs across diverse sectors, facilitating their growth, securing storefronts, boosting media visibility, and expanding their businesses successfully.
Prior to her current role, Jazmynn held several roles within the credit union industry over the course of 5+ years, ranging from member service representative to teller supervisor. In 2017, she became a certified financial counselor, presenting several financial education seminars in the community. This led to her election to the Young Professionals Advisory Board for the Wisconsin Credit Union League.
She was a panelist for the 2022 Annual Upstart Celebration, the 5th Annual Black History Education Conference, and Forward Fest’s panel discussion, “Fempreneurs: Bold Narratives and What It Takes To Make Your Break.”
Smart Product Development: Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Find the essential product-market fit for entrepreneurial success, ensuring your product or service aligns with market needs. Streamline your product development processes to mitigate risks and maximize resource allocation.
Will Robus, CEO, Co-Founder, Operations & Finance Consultant
Will Robus, CEO & Co-Founder of Outpost Security, stands at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation, bringing a tactical and strategic approach to product development. With a clear vision for navigating the complex landscape of enterprise security, Will’s expertise is grounded in the real-world challenges and breakthroughs of creating robust security products and infrastructures.
As a leader of a boutique cyber defense company and an Elite Splunk Partner, Will has spearheaded initiatives that have transformed security outcomes for global organizations. His focus on delivering solutions with Splunk Enterprise Security and Risk-Based Alerting (RBA) has saved companies countless resources by optimizing their security investments.
Will’s journey through various roles, from Director of Finance for healthcare IT companies to COO of a live scoring system startup, has given him an exceptional breadth of experience in product development and financial strategy. This diverse background, paired with his foundational education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business, has equipped him with the acumen to identify product-market fit and strategically allocate resources for maximum impact.
In his session on “Smart Product Development,” Will will distill his extensive experience into actionable insights for avoiding common pitfalls in product development. Attendees will benefit from his proven methodologies for streamlining product development processes, ensuring that their innovations resonate with market needs and drive sustainable growth.
Afternoon Sessions
Developing Basic Contracts: Insights from UW Law Clinic
Acquire foundational knowledge in contract law with practical insights from the UW Law Clinic. Understand the essentials of navigating service and software contracts, negotiation, and clarity in deliverables for successful collaborations.
Emily Buchholz, Director, Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic, UW Law School
Emily Buchholz is the Director of the Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic. Prior to joining the University of Wisconsin Law School, Emily was Executive Director of the Corporate Institute at the University of Minnesota Law School. Before her career in higher education, Emily was a partner at a small law firm in Minneapolis that worked with startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses of all kinds.
Unlocking Funding Opportunities: Applying for SBIR Grants
Uncover the process of securing SBIR grants to fund innovative ideas and commercialize them. Learn how to apply for these grants and use available resources and strategies to boost your chances of success.
Tyler Waite, Co-Founder, COO
Tyler Waite, Co-Founder/COO & CCO of Holos, is a visionary designer, entrepreneur, and advocate for the transformative power of extended reality (XR) technologies. With a passion for pioneering the future of interfaces, Tyler has been at the helm of Holos since its inception in 2015, steering the company towards creating engaging, outcome-improving educational experiences through virtual and augmented reality.
His dedication to entrepreneurship extends to his role in Capital Entrepreneurs, where he amplifies the narratives of local founders and provides a platform for open dialogue about the entrepreneurial voyage. His commitment to this ecosystem is further evidenced by his co-founding of Madison XR, a community for XR enthusiasts and developers, underscoring his role as a thought leader in this space.
Before his endeavors in XR, Tyler’s entrepreneurial spirit was kindled through Magnetize Media, a creative services company he started in high school. This venture laid the foundation for his adeptness in marketing, as seen in his strategic role at Spectrom, a 3D printing startup later acquired by MakerBot/Stratasys.
An alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature, Tyler brings a global perspective and a multifaceted skill set to his enterprises. His proficiency in 3D printing, entrepreneurship, and web design is matched by his linguistic fluency in both English and Simplified Chinese.
In his session on “Unlocking Funding Opportunities,” Tyler will delve into the intricacies of SBIR grants, offering invaluable insights and strategies from his rich experience in securing funding for innovation. His talk aims to empower entrepreneurs to navigate the grant application process successfully and secure the support needed to bring groundbreaking ideas to fruition.
Defining Your Business Identity: Lifestyle vs. Startup Ventures (Co-Presented Session)
Determine the type of business you want to build to achieve success. Differentiate between lifestyle and startup ventures to align strategic decisions with your goals and the trajectory of your entrepreneurial journey.
Olivia Wisden, Founder, Co-Founder, CEO
Olivia Wisden is a luminary in the world of creative branding, with a rich palette of experience as the Founder and CEO of TwoLips Creative. She brings a vibrant touch to the entrepreneurial canvas, specializing in strategy, branding, and website design. Olivia’s career is characterized by her commitment to innovation and her flair for cultivating bold brands. Her tenure as Co-Founder and CEO of UnderBelly Creative and her operational leadership at Clock’d highlight her adeptness in nurturing ventures from inception to thriving entities.
Michael Szewczyk, Advisor, Co-Founder, Head of Customer Success
Michael Szewczyk complements this duo with his robust background in engineering, product development, and strategic leadership. As an Advisor and former Co-Founder and Head of Customer Success at Factor, Michael has navigated the multifaceted realms of startups, from supply chain optimization to leading operations and customer success initiatives. His passion for mentoring and his achievements, including the prestigious Citizen Teacher of the Year award and participation in Stanford Venture Studio, underscore his commitment to cultivating innovative spaces in the industry.
Together, Olivia and Michael offer a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, marrying the creative force with structural ingenuity. Their session will explore the critical choices entrepreneurs face when defining their business identity, discussing the strategic decision-making that aligns business models with personal goals and aspirations. With Olivia’s strategic and creative prowess paired with Michael’s product development and operational acumen, attendees will discover insights into sculpting a business that not only achieves success but also resonates with their envisioned lifestyle.
AI Integration Strategies: Moving Beyond the Tagline
Delve into the practical integration of AI technologies to enhance business efficiency. Learn strategies for meaningful AI implementation that adds value to your products and services.
Nick Myers, Co-Founder, CEO, International Keynote Speaker
Nick Myers is a pioneering force in the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare. As the Co-Founder & CEO of RedFox AI, he has dedicated himself to leveraging AI to make at-home medical testing and home healthcare more accessible and efficient. His personal journey overcoming childhood leukemia has fueled his passion for utilizing AI to improve the patient experience, ensuring that reliable healthcare information is within reach when it matters most.
Nick’s fascination with AI extends beyond healthcare; he is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, having traversed the globe to educate and inspire on the impact of AI across various sectors, including work, digital marketing, social media, education, real estate, manufacturing, and more. His insights into the future of AI have positioned him as a thought leader, shaping discussions on how technology will revolutionize our world in the coming decade.
With RedFox AI, Nick has created a process-aware conversational AI platform that streamlines home health testing and medical device use. This innovation has not only reduced customer support costs for OEM providers but has also significantly increased patient compliance and engagement.
As an accomplished speaker, Nick has graced stages from TEDx to international summits in Sydney and Bangkok, sharing his expertise on digital healthcare and privacy. His work in podcasting through The Artificial Podcast has brought him recognition as a Voice Commentator of The Year nominee, showcasing his commitment to exploring and explaining emerging tech trends.
At Founder Day 2024, Nick Myers will share his wealth of knowledge on practical AI integration strategies. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to move beyond the hype and implement AI in a way that adds tangible value to products and services, enhancing business efficiency and customer experience.
Venue Information
Welcome to StartingBlock, located in the heart of Madison at 821 E Washington Ave. Our vibrant venue on the second floor is the perfect setting for Founder Day 2024, where innovation and collaboration take center stage.
The main doors will welcome you into a hub of entrepreneurial energy. Follow the signs leading you to the second floor, where our friendly team at the registration desk will greet you. They’ll be ready to assist with check-in, provide name badges, and answer any questions to start your day smoothly.
Look out for event signage and our volunteers, who will guide you through the venue and ensure you find your sessions, the Shared Service Expo, and networking spaces with ease.
Work Space
Conference Rooms
Phone Booths
Register Now
Don't miss out on Founder Day 2024. Secure your spot today and take the first step towards transforming your entrepreneurial journey.
Venue Details
StartingBlock,
821 E Washington Ave 2nd Floor,
Madison, WI 53703
Contact Us
For more inquiries, reach out to us at:
founderday@thenhti.org