Milwaukee lands biotech venture investment event for 2007

Milwaukee will play host to the 2007 BIO Mid-America VentureForum, co-sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization and the Wisconsin Biotechnology & Medical Device Association.

The event is expected to draw around 90 venture capitalists and somewhat fewer companies. At this year's forum in Minneapolis, at least six Wisconsin biotech companies attended, among dozens of Midwest biotechs. The Milwaukee location may draw more.

"We held many constructive meetings with venture capitalists that proved very productive," said Irene Hrusovsky, president and CEO of EraGen in Madison. "Minneapolis was a convenient meeting point and allowed for engagement with parties that were not expected."

• Read more about the 2005 event

The conference is put on by the same organization as the larger international convention BIO, which will be held in Chicago in April 2006, its first stint in the Midwest. • Columnist Michael Rosen writes about the need to leave a legacy from BIO 2006 – what will it be?

BIO 2006 is expected to draw in similar numbers to BIO 2005 – around 20,000 people. By contrast, local officials expect VentureForum to draw around 500. But with the high concentration of venture investors, the relatively low turnout may not matter a bit to the companies that attend.