The mission of the
Governor’s Business Plan Contest is to encourage entrepreneurs in the creation, start-up and early-growth stages of high-tech businesses in Wisconsin. Participants have the chance to win seed capital, valuable services that will help them launch their businesses and share in more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes. Since its inception in 2004, more than 2,000 entries have been received and more than $1 million in cash and in-kind prizes has been awarded. In 2011, 19 finalists were awarded prizes.
Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and a growing list of partners, the Governor's Business Plan Contest engages contestants in a six-month process that includes mentoring and comments from judges on selected plans. It will also lead to valuable public and media exposure for the best business plans submitted by contestants and spur economic growth in Wisconsin. In addition, past finalists have raised a reported tens of millions of dollars in private equity, such as angel and venture capital.
Click here to watch a brief overview of the contest given by Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council.
Click here to watch a video of Lt. Governor Kleefisch discussing why entrepreneurs – or people who simply have a good business idea – should enter the Business Plan Contest!
Visit the Governor’s Business Plan Contest website to learn more or submit your idea.
This year's BPC sponsors include:
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority
Earth Information Technologies Corp.
State of Wisconsin Investment Board
Perkins Coie, LLP
UW Madison Office of Corporate Relations
Baird Venture Partners
MG&E
Aberdean Consulting
American Transmision Co.
5Nines/Matador Consulting
Compass Properties, LLC
Cornerstone Office Corp.
Park Town Development Corp.
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren
Smith & Gesteland LLP
The City of Waterloo
University Research Park
Urban Land Interest
Wisconsin Angel Network
