2026 Launch Wisconsin

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 5 P.M. ON THURSDAY, OCT. 1. 
LIMITED WALK-INS AVAILABLE ON TUESDAY, OCT. 6.  

LAUNCH WISCONSIN – AGENDA

7:45 – 8:30 a.m.
Exhibitor setup

8:30 a.m.
Registration opens

8:30 – 9 a.m.
Networking and breakfast

9 – 9:15 a.m.
Welcome and opening remarks

9:15 – 10 a.m.
Opening plenary panel
Built here: Why Wisconsin for frontier technologies

Wisconsin is becoming a place where big ideas in quantum, fusion, biotech, advanced manufacturing and other frontier technologies can move from research to real companies. But what does it actually take to build and scale a deep-tech company here? 

Hear directly from the technology leaders who are doing it. They’ll share why they chose Wisconsin, what has helped them grow, where the challenges remain and what Wisconsin needs to do to attract and keep the next generation of frontier-tech companies and talent. 

Panelists: Dominick Bindl, Realta Fusion; Max Duckworth, Abingdon Health; Mark Saffman, Infleqtion; and Zak Staniszewski, SHINE Technologies

Sponsored by EUA

10:15 – 11 a.m. | Breakout sessions
Breakout 1: AI: Beyond the hype

This session brings together founders who build AI into their products. They will show what they shipped and where the model sits inside it. They will say what happens when it gets things wrong. They will also cover the work AI now does that once took more time, people or capital. Expect real examples, real numbers, and an honest account of what has not delivered. Expect a clear line between what works today and what is still more promise than proof. 

Moderator: Stephen Pounds, Vadar Alpha
Panelists: Sanket Deshpande, Dirac Labs; Rob Orozco, AI Adviser; and Ryan Wheeler, Cylerity

Breakout 2: Back office scars: Lessons learned the hard way

Founders start companies to solve problems, not because they want to manage HR, legal and finance. But back-office mistakes can kill a company. In this candid conversation, experienced founders will share some of the hard-earned lessons that came with starting and growing their companies. 

From hiring and company culture to legal structure, accounting, taxes and knowing when to bring in outside expertise, they’ll talk about what worked, what didn’t and what they would do differently today. **This isn’t an HR, legal or accounting presentation. It’s a conversation with founders who have been through it and are willing to share the lessons they learned along the way.

Moderator: Chris King, Foley & Lardner
Panelists: Kyle Jansson, Roddy Medical; Mag Rodriguez, Even Co.; and Taralinda Willis, Agrograph

11:15 a.m. – noon | Breakout sessions
Breakout 1: First stop: WEDC 

Wisconsin has a variety of funding programs and resources available to help startups—and before raising outside capital, founders should familiarize themselves with these programs designed to make that process easier. This session goes beyond simply explaining what programs are available. Founders will share their firsthand experiences using WEDC funding and resources, including where their companies were at the time, why they pursued a particular program and how it helped them take the next step. 

The conversation will walk through three different programs and stages of growth, giving founders practical examples of what’s available, when it might make sense for their company and what they can learn from entrepreneurs who have already been through the process. 

Moderator: Bethany Larsen, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
Panelists: Karen Liang, Okkanti; Matthew Pearlson, Intrnls; and Vivek Swaminathan, Cardamom Health

Breakout 2: From lab to startup: From research to revenue

Hear from Wisconsin founders who have taken research and technology out of the lab and into the marketplace. They’ll share how their companies got started, how they navigated tech transfer and intellectual property, where they found early support and funding, and some of the challenges and surprises they encountered along the way. 

Featuring founders connected to a range of Wisconsin research institutions and companies at different stages, this session will offer a firsthand look at what it really takes to move from discovery to startup—and ultimately toward a product, customers and growth. 

Moderator: Kalpa Vithalani, Marquette University
Panelists: Sanket Deshpande, Dirac Labs; Sydney Gang, Skip the Warm-Up; Christian Kastrup, Syrina Therapeutics; Eric Ostovich; Built-N-Bioassays; Eric Paulson, Sonoptima; and Paige Peters - Rapid Radicals

Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Buffet lunch and fireside chat with Maneesh Arora, founder & CEO of Elephas Biosciences and David McFarland, founder and CEO of Coterie Insurance

1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
Networking break and exhibit booth visits

1:15 – 3 p.m.
Investor Intros

1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
Mic drop: Two minutes to tell your story

No slides. No pitch deck. No long presentation. Just two minutes and a microphone. The Launch Wisconsin Open Mic gives founders the chance to take the stage and tell the room who they are, what they’re building and why people should pay attention. Whether you’re looking for investors, customers, partners, talent—or simply want to get your company in front of Wisconsin’s startup community—this is your chance. 

3 – 3:45 p.m. | Breakout session
The spectrum of capital: Finding the right money at the right time

Not every company needs venture capital—and even those that do may need different types of funding along the way. This session will break down the spectrum of capital available to founders, from early-stage and angel investment to venture debt, traditional venture capital and other financing options. Investors will share what they look for, when different types of capital may make sense and what founders should understand before pursuing funding. 

Moderator: Michael Thorson, Inventure Capital
Panelists: David Arnstein, Clarevia Ventures; Patrick Doherty, Advantage Capital; Mary Hannes, Golden Angels Investors; and Laura Strong, Valency Fund

4 – 5:30 p.m.
Launch Wisconsin 'Diligent Dozen' live pitches

5:30 – 7 p.m.
Reception and networking
Winner of Launch Wisconsin announced

Reception sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation