The Catalyst
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BizStarts Featured Company:
Pup Pops
 After Sara Herr had taken her dog Cesar for a long walk on a hot July day six years ago, she just couldn't get him to drink any water. Worried about his hydration, she thought giving Cesar an ice cube to eat would at least get some water in him. Suddenly, Sara thought if she flavored the ice cubes with chicken broth, he'd like them even more. Then, she decided if she added beneficial nutrients, she'd be even happier feeding them to her K-9 companion. This, with Cesar as her co-founder, was the inception of Pup Pops™ LLC, the only all-natural, water-based dog-pop on the market.
Made with a healthy mix of all-natural ingredients and dog-friendly herbs, these frozen dog treats are excellent for rehydration after long walks or hot days playing in the sun. Sara and Pup Pops have a genuine interest in improving the quality and longevity of pets' lives by delivering premium products that are naturally healthy so owners don't have to second guess what their dogs are snacking on. Most importantly, they're a treat that dogs love devouring, with flavors like "Bowl Lickin' Chicken" and "Belly
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| Sara with her co-founder, Cesar |
Rubbin' Berry."
Pup Pops has perfected its formulas, packaging and suppliers list. Now they are working on the next step: manufacturing. Sara has joined forces with a team of two independent food scientists, the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) and individual state regulators to ensure Pup Pops is a safe, all-natural product that is approved for sale. On April 1st, Pup Pops launched its first-ever Kickstarter campaign to raise funds so it can begin manufacturing and have these frozen treats on store shelves this summer. Once Pup Pops raises these funds, the young company plans to introduce even more flavors and eventually venture into treats for cats and other pets.
For more information about Pup Pops and their Kickstarter campaign running until May 31st of this year, visit www.kickstarter.com and search for "The Production of PUP POPS." You can also check out their website, www.coolpuppops.com.
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BizStarts Featured Mentor: Eric Lien
 Fortunately for BizStarts, Eric Lien has been involved with our organization for many years. Since early 2014, he has played a more active role mentoring three specific companies from BizStarts, as well as providing mentoring through other organizations. Areas of focus for the companies mentored include enterprise software for schools, sales tools and services, sports products, and financial services software. Eric has impressively logged over 100 hours mentoring.
Over his 30-year career, Eric has held leadership and executive marketing roles at GE, Rockwell, plus dozens of startups and restarts both here in the Midwest and on the East Coast. He also has participated in the successful rebranding and sale of three companies as an active part of the executive leadership team at those businesses.
Today, he lives in Wisconsin and has a marketing consulting practice that leverages marketing strategies, innovative tools and processes to help companies accelerate growth. Known as a tech savvy marketing executive, Eric can rapidly diagnose business challenges and prescribe the optimal digital marketing or business development solutions that will help that company exceed its goals.
Eric loves learning about new businesses and staying connected in the exciting entrepreneurial communities that have been launched in Wisconsin: "It's an awesome feeling, triggering that light bulb in a business owner's eyes and then being able to help coach them along their journey of building a successful business." Eric's desire in working with the BizStarts team comes from the ability to continue to help Wisconsin companies grow, market smarter and accelerate their business results.
At BizStarts we sincerely appreciate his help - thank you for all you do, Eric!
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BizStarts Featured Sponsor: Ernst & Young
 As one of the largest professional service firms in the world, EY commits itself to building a better working world with increased trust and confidence in business, sustainable growth, development of talent in all its forms, and greater collaboration. EY achieves this through their own actions and by engaging with like-minded organizations and individuals. Throughout the entire organization, there is a strong sense of obligation to serve a number of different stakeholders who count on them to deliver quality and excellence in everything they do.
EY understands that entrepreneurs make a difference. Over the past three decades, EY has been working with entrepreneurs, adapting their experience, industry capabilities and resources to work for companies ranging from those receiving their first venture funding to large mid-cap companies. They recognize that entrepreneurs not only have great ideas, but also the drive to make them a reality. EY's commitment to entrepreneurial companies, in both emerging and developed economies around the world, helps ensure that they are working with more of tomorrow's global leaders, today.
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Technology Transfer usually takes two forms
- In-Licensing, which is acquiring (for a fee) the intellectual property rights to use or commercialize products or programs.
- Out-Licensing, which is receiving fees from another party for the rights to use or commercial products or programs.
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Check out our First Quart Impact Report
Get the latest information on the number of entrepreneurs, services, connections to mentors and our outreach efforts for the first quarter of 2015 compared to year-end 2014.
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What's Happening?
Event Announcements for Entrepreneurs
Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Conference - June 2-3
BizStarts Professional Program with U.S. Bank
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Used by BizStarts, created by Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship
Here are 10 of the best digital tools to help you launch and grow your startup
A networking site for entrepreneurs, designed to help connect startups
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BizStarts Executive Team
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President
Dan Steininger
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Executive Director
Jacquin Davidson
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Recognition for
BizStarts' Sponsors
As the region's premier resource for entrepreneurs and emerging companies, BizStarts draws expertise from a wide range of service and professional specialties that collectively foster
Wisconsin's entrepreneurial spirit.
The BizStarts Program enlists these experts to provide unique opportunities for training and development, market and/or product assessments, leadership planning and other consultations or services...available only to BizStarts engaged entrepreneurs and their businesses. Why is this model important? More innovation, more successful launches and more jobs in our community.
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Founder Level Sponsors
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Executive Level Sponsors
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| Director Level Sponsors |
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Anon Charitable Trust Foundation
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George and Julie
Mosher Family
Foundation
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Manager Level Sponsors
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Daniel Hoan Foundation
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