Tech group gets chance to shine; Council pushes for innovation

When Gov. Jim Doyle pitched a variety of tax credits and other measures designed to bolster innovation and entrepreneurship in his "state of the state" address last week, it was a sweet moment for a young trade group.

The Wisconsin Technology Council has for several years been promoting variations of many of Doyle's proposals - expanding tax credits for angel and venture capital investors, offering research and development tax credits for corporations, providing sales and use tax exemptions like manufacturers get to the state's tech companies.

"It was affirmation of the tech council's work," said Tom Still, president of the nonprofit, non-partisan organization.

The tech council has been getting many such affirmations lately, including a nod from a publicity-shy James Thomson, the University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher who was the first to isolate human embryonic stem cells.

Not only was the council able to convince Thomson to speak at one of its Wisconsin Innovation Network lunches in Madison last week, Thomson began his remarks with praise for the work Still's organization has done.

"The reason I keep saying 'yes' is because of Tom, because he's been a very good advocate for technology as a whole in Wisconsin, but in particular for embryonic stem cells. And I very much appreciate the support he's given over the years," Thomson said.

Crisscrossing the state, nudging fledgling entrepreneurs, pressing white papers on politicians, Still says he and his five-member staff have three major jobs:

* Weigh in on public policy, keeping the governor and legislators aware of technology issues.

* Network with innovators around Wisconsin and in other states through meetings at its six Wisconsin Innovation Network chapters, the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference, the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium and other events.

* Help generate technology-based economic development in the state by running the Wisconsin Angel Network and the annual Governor's Business Plan Contest, managing the Wisconsin Security Research Consortium, and other activities.

"They're a warehouse. They know what other states are doing, and they're in constant contact with the entrepreneurs, the innovators, the scientists, not just here on the ground in Wisconsin, but around the country and, in some cases, the world," said Matthew Canter, a Doyle spokesman.

The council has been a "critical resource" for Doyle, whose overarching aim is to keep Wisconsin in the ranks of the elite technology states like California, Massachusetts and Minnesota, Canter said.

The council was incubated by former Gov. Tommy Thompson, and hatched by a group that included Bob Brennan, former president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, Richard Leazer, former head of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, and Tod B. Linstroth, a lawyer at Michael Best & Friedrich.

"There would be a horrendous void in the development of our cutting-edge industries here in Wisconsin if we didn't have the tech council. They've performed an extraordinary role in both expanding the public dialogue and increasing understanding of these businesses," said Mark Bugher, director of Madison's University Research Park and the council's chairman.

Still, 54, took over as the council's president in August 2002. He was an associate editor at the Wisconsin State Journal who had covered politics and business and overseen the paper's editorial pages.

"He's very skilled at operating in that environment," said Leazer, who was the council's first president and is now co-manager of Madison-based Wisconsin Investment Partners LLC, an angel investing group.

To Still, a journalist for 25 years, the tech council gives him the platform for a story he says he wants to keep on telling.

"Wisconsin has good assets, but we haven't always necessarily had a great story," he said.

How the council sees Wisconsin:

We have:

* Relatively low business costs

* Emerging networks for entrepreneurs

* Policy makers who value tech-based development

* Strong education system

* World-class academic research

* A work force that works

We need:

* More venture capital

* More "home runs" to draw attention to our assets

* A focused business attraction strategy that reaches alumni, site managers and investors

* Further progress in Milwaukee, our financial capital

* More managers who can take tech-based firms forward

* Attention to science, technology, engineering and math education

GOVERNOR'S BUSINESS PLAN CONTEST

The Wisconsin Technology Council is accepting applications through 5 p.m. on Thursday for the Governor's Business Plan contest, which offers a grand prize worth $50,000 in cash and services.

* The contest is open to state residents who are at least 18 years old, teams from Wisconsin-based businesses, and people or companies outside Wisconsin who are planning to relocate here. Submit a 250-word abstract of your business plan at www.govsbizplancontest.com.

* The 50 best abstract writers will be asked to write a 1,000-word summary business plan by March 13. The top 20 plans will be selected to participate in the final business plan phase of the contest, from April 3 to 24. Winners in four categories get the chance to present their business plan at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' conference in Milwaukee in June.

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