HispanicBusiness

Eighteen state companies are making presentations this week to Chinese investors who have said they want to invest $100 million in state companies.

PiYi Investment Management Co. Ltd. is looking at the companies as part of a tour of several U.S. cities that began in Dallas last week.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., which is hosting the Wisconsin leg of the tour also launched "In Wisconsin," a marketing and branding campaign to promote the benefits of starting, expanding or locating a business in the state.

The commerce agency said Wednesday it will devote $500,000 of its $2 million annual marketing budget to a paid advertising campaign that will run from October through December in Wisconsin and neighboring states.

As part of the campaign, the public/private agency has established www.inwisconsin.com as its new Web address.

Among the companies presenting their stories to PiYi are: Xela Innovations, Milwaukee; and Delta Hawk Engines, Racine. Madison area companies include: Traffic Cast; Intuitive Biosciences; and AquaMost.

PiYi, based in Beijing, manages private equity and venture capital funds for institutions and wealthy Chinese individuals. The group is interested in funding companies in industries including agriculture, food production and transportation, energy production, storage, controls, distribution, clean-technology and environmental remediation, infrastructure, information technology, biotechnology, manufacturing and medical devices.

The Chinese investors will be in the Milwaukee area Thursday to see demonstrations at Delta Hawk Engines and Erik Buell Racing, East Troy.