A social event for technology entrepreneurs

There is a new high-tech networking event starting in the city of Milwaukee.

Innovation Mondays will bring together researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs from Marquette University, the Medical College of Wisconsin and the community at large. The first event takes place on Monday, October 25.

We’re taking our inspiration from the networking events I used to attend back in Boston, at MIT’s Muddy Charles Pub. Our goal is to provide an environment where people who are trying to decide whether to quit their jobs and start new high-tech companies can ask entrepreneurs what it’s like on the front lines.

To prepare for this event, the other organizers and I are combing through our Rolodexes looking for entrepreneurs, would-be entrepreneurs, engineers, biotechnologists, angel investors and venture capitalists with a genuine interest in helping to start new high-tech ventures.

We’re looking for people who get excited about what they are doing, and who would appreciate having the chance to talk one-on-one with other technologists. The event is invitation-only. We’re inviting people who understand the rules of entrepreneurial etiquette, and who have a genuine interest in helping others.

We’re inviting people who are confident enough to talk about what they’re working on without becoming paranoid that everyone around them is going to steal their ideas.

We’re modeling Innovation Mondays on television’s Cheers bar, where “everybody knows your name.” In addition to learning everyone’s name, we’re going to provide an opportunity for everyone in attendance to develop at least a superficial understanding of what the other attendees are working on.

Our first speaker will be MCW professor and Prodesse, Inc., founder Dr. Kelly Henrickson. One reason I chose Henrickson is because the company he founded, Prodesse, is making a strong positive impact on Wisconsin’s economy. But the main reason I wanted Henrickson to be our first speaker is because he gets genuinely excited when he talks about being an entrepreneur.

If you are a technology entrepreneur, or an angel investor with an interest in high-tech startups, and you would like to learn more about Innovation Mondays, send an e-mail to: teresa@wistechnology.com. Be sure to include your contact information and a sentence or two about what you are working on.

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Teresa Esser is a contributing columnist for the Wisconsin Technology Network and author of the book, The Venture Café. She can be reached at teresa@wistechnology.com.

The opinions expressed herein or statements made in the above column are solely those of the author, & do not necessarily reflect the views of Wisconsin Technology Network, LLC. (WTN). WTN, LLC accepts no legal liability or responsibility for any claims made or opinions expressed herein.