National investment trends can affect startups in Wisconsin.

That’s according to a panel of lawyers and investors during the Early Stage Symposium held Thursday at the Monona Terrace.

For example, a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) “can be a good tool” for Wisconsin companies that are qualified new business ventures (QNBV), according to Greg Lynch of Michael Best, due to the immediate tax credits for investors.

Lynch also explained the growing financing gap between Series A rounds and Series B rounds, which has forced Wisconsin companies to either extend their Series A round or have a bridge round “in order to raise Series B from the coast.”

Meanwhile, although past mission investing is “starting to show some good results,” Rick Moss of Better Ventures said, the panelists aren’t seeing much activity surrounding benefit corporations.

Lastly, the collaborative culture in Silicon Valley also is present in the Midwest.

“That’s been really striking to me,” Buddy Arnheim of Perkins Coie said. “It gives me encouragement that there’s a bright future (in Wisconsin).”