Wisconsin Startup Night: TechStars in Madison

New tech businesses are thriving in Wisconsin – and your odds just got even better! Could your idea become the next Sonic Foundry or match.com? On Monday evening, March 4 at Monona Terrace, join Accelerate Madison, Foley & Lardner, LLP and Capital Entrepreneurs in welcoming TechStars Chicago to Madison.

TechStars Chicago’s co-founders are prominent entrepreneurs Troy Henikoff and Sam Yagan, co-founder of OkCupid and now CEO of match.com. TechStars, billed as “the world’s #1 business accelerator,” is a 12-week bootcamp program designed to provide promising startups with seed capital, intensive mentoring, infrastructure, and a chance to pitch angels and VCs. TechStars has a history of successful programs in Boston, New York, Boulder, Seattle and San Antonio, and now they have expanded to the Midwest through a combination with Chicago’s Excelerate Labs. This is an exciting opportunity to learn from and with some of the smartest and best-connected people in the high-tech industry.

Presenters include Monty Schmidt, founder of Madison’s Sonic Foundry; Sam Yagan, co-founder of OkCupid, CEO of match.com and co-founder of Excelerate Labs (now TechStars Chicago); and Matt Younkle & Preston Austin, co-founders of Murfie, serial entrepreneurs and TechStars alumni. The evening will include networking, a full explanation of TechStars Chicago, and a call for new businesses to apply to this excellent Midwest accelerator.

Register by February 25 and attendance is free!

Who should attend

• Founders of startup tech businesses
• Entrepreneurs with new tech concepts
• Managers & professionals working in the digital sector
• Anyone involved with business growth in southern Wisconsin

Event details
Location: Monona Terrace, Madison
Time: Monday, March 4, 5-8 p.m.
        5:00-6:30: networking, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar
        6:30-8:00: program & Q&A
Cost: FREE through 2/25, $10 after 2/25 or at the door