Seeks To Match Aerospace Entrepreneurs, Venture Capitalists

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's Council for Innovation is bringing together innovators and venture capitalists for a two-day event intended to help promote a culture of innovation in northeastern Wisconsin. AeroInnovate, to be held on the UW Oshkosh campus May 13-14, will allow innovators and entrepreneurs in the aerospace industry to network and pitch their products and services to individuals looking to invest in such ventures.

AeroInnovate will highlight cutting-edge technologies, entrepreneurs, emerging companies, investment trends and other recent developments in the aerospace/aviation sector.

The event will begin at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) with a dinner and a keynote presentation by Granger Whitelaw, the founding partner and managing director of BlueCar Partners, a venture-consulting firm, and President and CEO of the Rocket Racing League. The second day will be held at the University's Reeve Memorial Union and will feature presentations, opportunities to pitch to venture capitalists and networking.

"AeroInnovate is not a trade show," stresses Meridith Jaeger, executive director of the Council for Innovation. "It is a place where entrepreneurs, companies and labs can pitch their ideas to investors and public and private development partners looking for innovations worthy of their resources."

"As both an aerospace entrepreneur and a venture capital professional, I am excited about AeroInnovate 2009," Whitelaw added. "The future belongs to innovators."

FMI: www.aeroinnovate.org, www.uwosh.edu