The Antenna Man: Oostburg man puts a digital spin on rabbit ears; to speak to area business entrepreneur organization
November 16, 2008

By JOSH LINTEREUR • Sheboygan Press

OOSTBURG — Brad Eckwielen was 11 years old when he began making frequent forays to the roof of his family's Cedar Grove home to take apart, rebuild and replace their TV antenna.

So began the future inventor's life-long obsession with building a better antenna.

"My dad would come home from work, and just about every day there was a different antenna on the roof," said Eckwielen, 43, a self-described "antenna geek," who now lives in Oostburg. "Some days the reception was better than others. I just had to be sure it was OK on Sundays before the Packer game."

Eckwielen will discuss his newest venture Monday night at the Lakeshore Entrepreneurs and Inventor Network meeting at Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, where he'll be speaking to a group of backyard inventors and entrepreneurs in training.

The group, which was formed in February, offers aspiring business owners the chance to network and share advice with other people facing the daunting task of launching a business, or bringing a new product to market. Meetings are held most months of the year at LTC and there's no cost to attend.

The Dubuque Herald

FENNIMORE, Wis. -- An Entrepreneur and Inventor's Club workshop will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, on the campus of Southwest Technical College (room 492) in Fennimore.

Organizers say Entrepreneur and Inventors meetings are being held across Wisconsin and have resulted in many new business start-ups and, more importantly, new jobs for the region. The workshop is a means to encourage entrepreneurs and inventors to come together at a common meeting place where they can share information.

The E & I Club begins at 6 p.m. with the opportunity to network with others. A short informational session "How to Survive as a New Business" begins at 6:30 p.m. Time also will be devoted to a question-and-answer period and additional networking opportunities.

For more information, contact Fennimore Promotions Coordinator Linda Parrish at 800-822-1131 or promo@fennimore.com, or University of Wisconsin Extension Resource Agent Paul Thares at 608-723-2125 or paul.thares@ces.uwex.edu

By Pat Dillon, WTN News

Small businesses with innovative ideas don't often make the connection between their technology-based ideas and federal funding sources. They assume federal funds are not available for their idea or technology, or they simply don't know how to get started.

Two federal funding programs, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, make available funding to support small business (1-500 employees) research and development. Yet maneuvering the idiosyncrasies and nuances of these programs can be daunting and overwhelming.

As a state, we must demystify these programs to enable small businesses to capitalize on this funding for economic gain. We must “spread the gospel” about federal R&D funding opportunities to benefit small businesses in both urban and rural areas.

By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel

Why didn't we think of it?

That's how Ariens Co. engineers reacted when they first saw the snow-thrower accessory invented by sixth-grade students Matt Moran and Sam Hipple.

The students from Davenport, Iowa, built a rock salt dispenser that mounts under the handlebars of an Ariens snow thrower and spreads salt along the machine's path, allowing the user to clear snow and melt ice in one pass.

The invention is made from a garden fertilizer spreader and some bicycle parts. Called the Mega Melter, it will be developed and sold by Ariens.

Student Name: Louis Woods

Why did you choose the E-Seed Entrepreneur program? For the networking with other business leaders and to build a solid business plan to help my company grow. I also wanted to learn from the instructors who teach at The Venture Center.

What are you learning about your career field that you find interesting or rewarding? The marketing and who is my core market. The other thing I did learn for going through the program is that I cannot do everything. It's important to surround yourself with good people in order to make your business grow.

Sheboygan Press

Sheboygan Falls entrepreneur David Fraser of Advanced Machine was among 23 small-business owners in Wisconsin to be given a $3,000 grant from the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

By Kris Yager

Each year since 1999 the United Coulee Region and the 7 Rivers Region have presented the pyramid award to an individual or organization whose actions and accomplishments have demonstrated the spirit of cooperation and collaboration within the region.  This year at annual conference Alliance 2008, that award was presented to Juneau County Economic Development Corporation's Executive Director Terry Whipple.
 

'We are pleased to recognize Terry for his unending commitment to economic development throughout the 7 Rivers region.  He has been an exemplary model of attitude, values and demeanor required to assure true collaboration occurs. We are also pleased we were able to give Terry a proper venue to receive such an honor,' said James Johnson, President, 7 Rivers Alliance.

By Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt, Green Bay Press Gazette
 
When an entrepreneur has an idea for a business, there is uncertainty. Is there a need for the business? Is there a market for my product? Can I make a living if I quit my job? Asking these questions is a vital part of the process and a step that Andrew Clark, manager of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s Center for Entrepreneurship, considers necessary.

By Judy Newman, Wisconsin State Journal

So you think you have a great idea for a business, but the extent of your plan is a few notes scribbled on the back of a fast-food bag.

Maybe you need someone with experience to guide you.

That's the goal of a new group called MERLIN Mentors. MERLIN stands for Madison Entrepreneur Resource, Learning and Innovation Network, and it's issuing a call for both mentors and would-be entrepreneurs.

MADISON — Frank Horstink, of Red Beech Dairy in Reedsville, recently was approved for a $3,000 grant from the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network.

The grant will be used to investigate the feasibility of farm upgrades.

WEN was established in 2006 to provide resources and expertise to businesses across the state. In 2006, the network began administering grants on behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

For information, call (800) 940-7232 or visit www.wenportal.org.

By Tannette Johnson-Elie, Journal Sentinel

Pa Britney Xiong is one of Milwaukee's rising young business leaders, part of a new generation of Hmong entrepreneurs who are more engaged on a civic level than their parents.

That connectivity is helping them to expand their businesses outside of closely knit ethnic communities.

Xiong, 30, who goes by Britney, is president and owner of Western Bilingual, a five-employee, bilingual staffing company at 3111 W. National Ave., in the Silver City neighborhood.

RICE LAKE - Shared Medical Technology is receiving a $100,000 Rural Economic Development loan from the state Department of Commerce.

SMT provides medical imaging services to hospitals and clinics unable to afford in-house equipment. The funds will help the company develop a mobile fetal magnetocardiography prototype to help care for pregnant women with fetuses suffering from at-risk conditions.

Through a collaborative effort with the Wisconsin Entrepreneurial Network, SMT also recently received a $3.2 million Small Business Innovation Research Fast Track Award. The federal program encourages commercialization of new technologies.
 

By Kathleen Gallagher, Journal Sentinel

A Madison company that is developing products for treating stubborn bacterial infections said Friday it has received $2.4 million from the U.S. Department of Defense in a second round of funding.

ConjuGon Inc. will use the money to refine its technology for treating wounds infected with organisms that are highly resistant to antibiotics, said Steve Watt, chief operating officer.

ConjuGon received $1.2 million from the Defense Department last year. In both cases, the funds were requested by U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Watt said.

The Business Journal of Milwaukee

ConjuGon Inc. said Friday that it is receiving $2.4 million in federal funds to help continue development of its novel wound infection treatment product.

The Madison biotechnology company said the funds were included in the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2009 at the request of U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). ConjuGon is developing new technologies to combat the growing epidemic of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, work that offers life-saving applications for both military and public health care.

Rhinelander inventor to be featured on PBS reality series
By Michael Skubal, DAILY NEWS STAFF

A local inventor has been selected from thousands to appear on the PBS television show “Everyday Edisons,” a nationally televised reality series that educates viewers about what it takes to transform an idea into a product sold on store shelves.

By JUDY NEWMAN, Wisconsin State Journal 

When Nate Lustig lost the lottery for student-section Badger football tickets in 2005, he turned to a year-old online business called ExchangeHut.com to buy seats for campus athletic events at market-rate prices.

Within a year, Lustig and friends John Tucker and Corey Capasso bought the company for $6,000 from founder Matt Stamerjohn, who was graduating from UW-Madison.

Green Bay Press Gazette

The Door County Economic Development Corp. and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Small Business Development Center will offer free, one-on-one business counseling sessions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 6 for any new or existing business owners in Door County.

Chuck Brys, business counselor for the Small Business Development Center, will provide advice on business planning, financing and other issues.

Appleton Post Crescent

MADISON — Two upcoming workshops will help farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs apply for state and federal grants.

The training will explain how to apply for Agricultural and Development and Diversification grants from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Value Added Producer grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program from the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.

By Deb Cleworth • Daily Tribune Staff 

When Joanne Keyzer got the idea for her own business, it wasn't like a switch suddenly turned on the imaginary light bulb over her head.

"I've always been the kind of person that had a little bit of entrepreneur in me," the 47-year-old Wisconsin Rapids resident said.

Keyzer, a 29-year Domtar employee, developed small, hobby-related businesses through the years, but when she wanted to start Ink Splash, a digital printing and heat press transfer company, she knew she would have to connect a lot of wiring to keep the business bulb burning

Debbie Griffin, River Falls Journal

After a layoff from the company he used to work for, River Falls resident Phillip Bautch began thinking about what he could do next.

Inspiration struck after he installed a low-flow shower head at home that his daughter protested. He began thinking about a better solution.

Not long after, he developed the UZLOW water and energy savings valve. It reduces water flow by at least 80% and can save an average four-six gallons of water per shower.

By Mark Multer, Appleton Post Crescent 

When it comes to doing business, companies large and small require lines of credit to maintain and grow their operations.

For that reason, business owners in north central Wisconsin paid rapt attention to the dealings on Capitol Hill this week to see what types of solutions might come down to halt the building credit freeze on Wall Street.

3-year-old Poland company products make recycling easier
By Nathan Phelps, Green Bay Press Gazette

POLAND — The excitement isn't hard to see as Bob and Gerald Lamer [WEN Clients] talk about and demonstrate their B-2060T mobile track machine, a hulking beast designed to serve the recycling industry.

The machine, which looks like a cross between a tank and a prehistoric animal, is designed to shred materials ranging from metal and concrete to wood, with the idea of creating a lower volume load for transportation to a recycling facility where it can be further processed.

MILWAUKEE - The Department of Commerce honored four Wisconsin companies and named the winners of the Outstanding Business (large and small company) Award, Rising Star Award and Good Citizen award at a special reception on Wednesday, October 1 at the Wyndham Hotel, Wyndham Milwaukee Airport and Convention Center, Milwaukee. The awards were made in conjunction with the 27th annual Marketplace Trade Fair.

"It's a pleasure to recognize these businesses, individuals and support organizations for their tremendous accomplishments," said Department of Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel. "We can learn from their determination to succeed and their aggressive pursuit of new business opportunities."

by Joe Vanden Plas, WTN News

Appleton, Wis. - For the first time, the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center's Ideas to Profits Conference was held outside of southeastern Wisconsin, and for the second time, it was held in troubling economic conditions.

As Congress wrangled over a solution to the nation's financial crisis, business owners gathered at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel to absorb content that can help them navigate choppy waters. But the 800-pound gorilla in the facility clearly was events in Washington, D.C., where the Bush Administration and Congressional leaders once again tried to craft a bill to address the crisis, and the dire warnings about inaction weighed on the minds of attendees.

By Kathleen Gallagher, Journal Sentinel

Perceptral LLC, Racine, has been awarded $80,000 from the Navy to use its technology to help produce high-quality, intelligible synthesized voices for use in training modules.

The money was awarded as a Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research program contract and gives the company an option to receive $70,000 more if it meets certain milestones.

Perceptral was founded this year by Jonathan Pearl, who in 2005 received his PhD in music, with a cognitive emphasis, from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

State Journal staff

A California company has acquired a controlling interest in Madison-based SolRayo, which develops ultracapacitor technology to improve the storage, delivery and use of energy.

Enable IPC Corp. of Valencia, Calif., which specializes in turning technologies into products and bringing them to market, acquired its interest in SolRayo, 1202 Ann St., in a transaction involving stock, cash and services, the company announced Tuesday. Enable IPC's stock on the over-the-counter market was down less than a penny Tuesday to 7.9 cents per share.

wisbusiness.com

MILWAUKEE – Sept. 30, 2008 – The BizStarts Milwaukee board of directors today announced the beginning of a new organization called BizStarts Milwaukee, to foster and promote entrepreneurship in southeastern Wisconsin .

BizStarts Milwaukee’s goal is to launch or accelerate 50 new businesses by the end of 2010.

“Our region ranks among the lowest for business start-ups and job creation, and that has got to change,” said Dan Steininger, vice president of the new organization. “We have to stop grieving the loss of manufacturing jobs and move to new economic dynamics.”

BizStarts Milwaukee, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that will carry out four major initiatives, starting with a Web site (http://www.bizstartsmilwaukee.com) to link entrepreneurs to people and organizations that can help them find investors and finish their business plans.

By Gita Sitaramiah, Pioneer Press
Twincities.com

The key ingredient to Fig & Fromage tortas isn't the fruit toppings or cheese base of the hors d'oeuvres. It's the fast friendship between the two women behind the Mexican sandwiches.

That friendship, between Mary Dougherty and Renee Holman, started out in an unlikely way. Two years ago, Holman catered the funeral of Dougherty's father-in-law.

Dougherty, of Woodbury, had tried one of Holman's tortas once before at a gathering. This time, she knew she had to get to know Holman, who ran Good Thyme Bistro in Washburn, Wis.

Over dinner in Washburn, with Dougherty's husband in tow, they realized they shared a passion for food, wine and Lake Superior's Apostle Islands off Wisconsin's northern tip.

Business owners sell convenience with at-home services
By Sarah Riley, Post-Crescent

In a time when more corporations are searching for ways to automate customer service, entrepreneurs who cater to people constantly on the go are filling a niche.

The days of house calls are not over. Business owners are earning livings by offering their services either at their clients' homes or on their clients' schedules.

Amy Pietsch, director of the Venture Center at Fox Valley Technical College in Grand Chute, says a trend has developed over the last five years where entrepreneurs are zeroing in on ways to fit their customers' busy schedules.

By Liam Marlaire, Leader-Telegram staff 


Exerpt from the article:

Mickelson and business partner Damien Montoya started a company, Silvermine Stone Co., to manufacture the product. Bob Flynn, Kevin Koehn and Mike Luke also have joined the venture, which recently won the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp.'s 2008 Creating Your Own Business contest in the emerging/growth business category. Jeff Hazuga's business, ListedLocal.com, won in the micro-business category.

Wisconsin State Journal

The state of Wisconsin is awarding $7.3 million in grants and loans to 24 energy companies. The money is coming from the Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund, which is part of Gov. Jim Doyle's Clean Energy Wisconsin initiative.

The funds will be used to advance clean energy production in the state.

Note: WEN clients Idle Free Systems and SolRayo are among the grant recipients.