Marketplace Today Blog

By Kathleen Gallagher
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Kenny Dichter will hold a talk at Camp Randall Stadium about how he turned his passion for Badger sports into entrepreneurial ventures that ultimately led him to found Marquis Jet, a leader in fractional ownership private aviation.

Jordan Leahy, winner of the 2008 Warhawk Business Plan contest, will spearhead a youth entrepreneur conference at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, and Erin Kopitzke will hold a class in Green Bay about establishing a technology plan for your businesses.

These are just three of about 30 events around the state that are part of Global Entrepreneurship Week beginning Nov. 15.

“Wisconsin’s got it in its DNA to be entrepreneurial, and the more we can articulate and advocate and present, the better off we’ll be,” said Doug Bradley, assistant director of marketing and communications at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Office of Corporate Relations. “This is all about optimum participation.”

The office is the regional coordinator for Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota’s events during the week, Bradley said. Wisconsin’s events attracted about 500 people last year, and organizers are expecting even more participation this year because of additional events, he said.

About 1,000 organizations around the world are participating in the week’s events, Bradley said.