Where you'll want to be during Startup Milwaukee Week 2019

Startup Milwaukee Week returns with events to connect entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and the business-minded around the city next week. 

The fourth-annual Startup Milwaukee Week is Nov. 11 to 17 in the city and surrounding metro area. More than 60 events are scheduled. Last year's events were attended by more than 5,000 people. Nearly all events are free. 

Last year, the event expanded throughout Wisconsin for the first time. Communities across the state will put on nearly 200 events as part of 2019 Startup Wisconsin Week, and more events are taking place with colleges and universities. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is hosting its own lineup of events this year. 

Here are just some of the events around Milwaukee where entrepreneurs and those who are just curious can dive into the startup scene and learn about running a new company. A full calendar of events can be accessed at startupwi.org. 

Get the lay of the land 

This is where you want to be if you're just entering into Milwaukee's startup scene or really if you just want to be seen. The week kicks off bright and early at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 11 with the "State of the Ecosystem" at Good City Brewing's downtown location. Entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and academic leaders will talk about how Milwaukee can improve. Newly launched initiatives will introduce their work, too.

Milwaukee is eternally looking to attract new talent to the region. So, let's learn why people live here — maybe it can provide insights into how the city can grow its population. Women who moved to make Milwaukee their home will share the experience and what opportunities they see in the city at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Northwestern Mutual's Cream City Labs.  

How can Milwaukee, and the Great Lakes region, create a healthy innovation economy? A panel of regional experts will go "On the Issues" with Mike Gousha at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Marquette University.

The Democratic National Convention is coming to Milwaukee in July 2020 and that means there is money to be made. "Running a Successful Business During DNC MKE 2020" will feature members of the host committee and experienced convention entrepreneurs to know how to serve locals and visitors next July. The event is at 11 a.m. Nov. 14 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

Speaker pick 

Glenn Reid is building what he calls "laundry in the internet age" at his Milwaukee-based company, Marathon Machines. He came back to Milwaukee from Palo Alto, California, after working at Adobe in the early days and then moving on to Apple, developing the first version of iMovie. Reid will talk about his experiences — he has founded seven startups and is the primary inventor on a dozen patents — at 4 p.m. Nov. 13. A happy hour will follow at the company headquarters, 1825 W. St. Paul Ave. 

Learn something new 

Everyone and their cousin has a podcast. Maybe you want to start one too. PodFest MKE starts with an educational session on how to develop and promote a podcast at 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at No Studios.Then there's a live podcast from local podcasters. It ends with a social. PodFest MKE is a ticketed event. 

Entrepreneurs don't have time for legal trouble so it's best to know about potential pitfalls before they would ever be an issue. Legal experts will give advice about how to decide if your company should be an LLC or corporation, protecting intellectual property and founder equity. "Legal Pitfalls for Startups" is 11:30 a.m. Nov. 15 at Marquette University.  

Get the quick and dirty on going from an idea to Inc. during "Starting From Scratch" at 10 a.m. Nov. 15 at Northwestern Mutual's Cream City Labs. Two Northwestern Mutual startup supporters will share how to bring an idea to life, build out a business model, pitch your idea and get funding.  

Sarah Hauer can be reached at shauer@journalsentinel.com or on Instagram @HauerSarah and Twitter @SarahHauer. Subscribe to her weekly newsletter Be MKE at jsonline.com/bemke.