Events

Spring 2026 Events

Past Events

Student and Faculty Presentations

The student and faculty presentations highlighted the research undertaken over the semester. Presenters shared their findings, methodologies, and insights with an audience of peers, faculty, and guests. The sessions prompted engaging discussions, with thought-provoking questions and comments encouraging deeper exploration of each topic. These presentations provided an excellent platform for participants to showcase their hard work and dedication, fostering a collaborative environment of learning and innovation.

Presentation Topics

Joshua Schulze-Reimpell, Grace Reek, and Kang Duong delivered a joint presentation titled “Perceived vs. Index-Based Economic Freedom as Predictors of Entrepreneurship & GDP,” which examined differing measures of economic freedom and their relationship to economic outcomes.

Student researcher Nainil (NJ) Jariwala presented “Surplus Hoaxes & Powerplays: The American Economic Order at a Breaking Point?” Alex Ewig followed with “A Comparative Analysis of Midwest Governance Models for Federal and State VC Programs,” and Ryan Kitzan presented “Self-Employment, Gender, and Future-Marking in Language.”

Student and Faculty Presentations 

Research fellows also shared their work, with Joshua Schulze-Reimpell presenting “Win the War, Lose the Republic: The Rise of Authoritarianism Worldwide,” Grace Reek presenting “Healthcare Policy & Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Wisconsin,” and Kang Duong presenting “How Digital Money Is Rewriting the Financial System.”

The session concluded with a presentation by MFI researcher Nicholas McFaden, titled “Economic Freedom & Property Crime.”

2025-2026 Colloquium Series, Part 1

On Friday, November 14th, the MFI hosted part one of the Colloquium series, featuring this semester's Economic Insights Fellows. These students discussed themes from "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations", a text donated through the generosity of the Liberty Fund. Smith’s text introduced enduring concepts such as the division of labor, the invisible hand, and the power of free markets, ideas that continue to shape modern economic thought.

Overall, the group moved from analyzing luxury-driven innovation to engaging in a deeper debate about war’s economic, institutional, and philosophical implications, grounding their analysis in the principles and themes presented in Wealth of Nations

2025 Annual Entrepreneurship Research Conference 

On Wednesday, October 15th and Thursday, October 16th, the MFI hosted its fourth annual Entrepreneurship Research Conference. The conference included a Visionary Ventures poster session where students presented entrepreneurial ideas, two keynotes, two academic sessions on various entrepreneurship topics, and two panel discussions titled Unresolved Questions and Future Directions of Entrepreneurship Research, and The Future of Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship. 

The annual MFI Entrepreneurship Research Conference created an environment for dialogue between scholars, entrepreneurs, and students. Presentations and keynotes explored a wide range of important topics. The event brought together diverse voices from research, business, and education, creating a space where ideas could spark action. By fostering dialogue and partnership across sectors, the conference emphasized how collaboration is essential for driving innovation and shaping the future of entrepreneurship

Welcome Back Event

We started the school year with our information session, which was a great success! Students came together to learn more about MFI and discover ways to get involved this semester. The evening featured an introduction to MFI’s mission, an overview of opportunities, and plenty of time for questions and connections. We’re excited to build on these connections and embrace the opportunities ahead throughout the year!

Venture Capital 101: How Start-ups Get Funded

We partnered with the Idea Fund of La Crosse, a local venture capital firm, to host Garrett Lauderdale, VP of the Idea Fund. Students gained valuable insight into what venture capital is, how investment decisions are made, and common myths surrounding the industry. We also heard from UWL student Alex Ewig, who shared his experience interning with the Idea Fund over the summer.