About the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest

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. Finalists will share in $100,000 in seed capital and in-kind services that will help them launch their businesses. Since its inception in 2004, more than 2,000 entries have been received and $1 million in cash and in-kind prizes has been awarded.

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 $11 million in private equity, such as angel and venture capital.