Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/1086494
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m M a r c h 2 0 19 • I NSIGH T | 45 Colleges and universities across the New North are showing the rest of us the benefits of working more collaboratively. e Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance (NEW ERA) was born in the early 2000s as leaders recognized that by working together, educational institutions could eliminate barriers so residents could get the education and training they needed when they needed it. NEW ERA's successes led to other sectors, including manufacturing and economic development, to begin their own collaborative partnerships. Since NEW ERA was created, four-year universities, two-year campuses and technical colleges have come together to offer countless programs to help students start a degree at a two-year institution before moving seamlessly to a four-year university. Schools also have worked together on degree programs to meet the demands of area businesses and students. Now, the Fox Connection — a collaboration of colleges and universities in Northeast Wisconsin working together to enhance entrepreneurial education and opportunity for students — is hosting e Pitch competition. e Pitch is a startup contest among teams of college students who are competing for $10,000 in cash and $15,000 in technical services. As part of the program, teams compete at their local colleges, with the winners moving on to e Pitch event on April 11 at TitletownTech in Green Bay. ere, the teams will present their ideas in front of an audience to a panel of judges in a format similar to ABC's "Shark Tank" show. Six schools are participating in this year's event: Lawrence University, St. Norbert College, the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, Fox Valley Technical College and Moraine Park Technical College. In addition to partnering on e Pitch, the colleges and universities that are part of the Fox Connection share their curriculum related to entrepreneurship with each other. By doing this, the schools create more opportunities for all students. At a time when there is a lot of discussion about what can be done to grow and strengthen the entrepreneurial climate in the New North, it is interesting to see what regional educators are doing — sharing their unique resources and strengths for the entire region's benefit. Perhaps it is something that can be duplicated by the many organizations involved in promoting and strengthening startups and entrepreneurs — but on a larger, more expansive scale. Colleges pitch in to support startups Dubbed a day of "EmpowHERment," Northeast Wisconsin Technical College's N.E.W. Women's Business Summit returns for a second year of providing women a day devoted to personal and professional development. e March 8 event, which coincides with International Women's Day, kicks off with networking and a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. e day includes a keynote speech, three personal/professional development sessions with three tracks each, lunch, a panel discussion and a networking and exhibitor showcase. Vicki Updike, founder of New Sage Strategies, will deliver the day's keynote address, entitled "Unique Mistakes Women Make at Work and How to Fix em." Michelle Madl-Soehren, the event's founder and coordinator of the Small Business Initiative at NWTC, says Updike's talk will help create an awareness among women about what they're saying and how they're projecting that message in the workplace. e event is designed to help women discover tools for success, make strategic business connections and leave feeling empowered and ready to make positive changes in their personal and professional lives. Madl-Soehren says it offers something for everyone, from executives and business professionals to entrepreneurs and salespeople. e day's three one-hour personal and professional development sessions include tracks on such varied topics as professional speaking, achieving greater life balance, search engine optimization, marketing, positive nutrition and leadership. Attendees are encouraged to bring professional and business casual clothing items to donate to benefit the NWTC Career Closet and Sunrise on Main Boutique's Reset.Life, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women get their lives back on track. New for this year, the event will include a networking and exhibitor showcase in which exhibitors can showcase merchandise and promote services. e time also provides attendees an opportunity to make new connections and grow their professional circle. Madl-Soehren says she hopes each attendee will find connection and inspiration through meeting other like- minded women. "What I hope that every woman walks away with is the opportunity to network with someone they've never met before," she says. Tickets cost $69 and are available through the day of the event. Visit newwomensbizsummit.com to register or learn more. COMMENTARY MaryBeth Matzek Managing Editor mmatzek@insightonbusiness.com DON'T MISS B Y J E S S I C A T H I E L A day of empowerment NWTC's N.E.W. Women's Business Summit returns for second year Updike