Companies of all stages are invited to apply to pitch their stories to investors at the in-person Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, set for Nov. 5-6 at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison.

The 2025 conference will feature four pitch opportunities: the two-minute “Open Mic” Quick Pitches, five-minute Tech Council Investor Networks presentations, the 90-second Elevator Pitch Olympics and “Investor Intros,” which pair pre-selected companies with angel and venture investors for brief one-on-one meetings.

Instructions for how to apply for all or a mix of the investor presentation opportunities can be found at wisearlystage.com on the “ESS Application” tab.

The deadline to apply online is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3. Remember to register first AND to apply for a chance to present in a company forum. Here are the four company forums; companies may apply for one, two or all opportunities to be seen, heard and make a splash!

‘Open Mic’ Quick Pitches – Wednesday, Nov. 5:
Each founder will have two minutes to pitch, with no Q&A afterward, to get as many founders in front of the group as possible. Don’t yet have a formal company? No problem. Tell us what you’re thinking of launching.

Tech Council Investor Networks Track – Wednesday, Nov. 5:
More than 20 Midwest companies spanning industries such as advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, health care, IT, artificial intelligence and mobile applications will be featured, each with the chance to showcase their innovations through five-minute presentations.

Elevator Pitch Olympics – Thursday, Nov. 6:
About 15 early-stage, often pre-revenue companies will be selected for the Elevator Pitch Olympics, where entrepreneurs deliver 90-second pitches to conference attendees and a panel of investors. Judges will score presentations on a 1-to-5 scale based on whether they merit a follow-up meeting, offering immediate feedback. Top presenters will receive crystal awards.

Investor Intros – Thursday, Nov. 6:
Companies chosen for the popular Investor Intros will take part in pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings with investors from Wisconsin and beyond. The format, similar to speed dating, gives both sides a chance to learn about each other and explore potential partnerships.

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