Testimonials
"As an absolute newcomer to business it gave me an opportunity to meet a few people who are now working with me. I might even get some start up funds from them and got great PR from the event."
- Hans W. Sollinger, Insulete, 2011 Life Sciences Category Winner
"The business plan contest process provided us the opportunity to really focus our vision and strategy and concisely articulate the message. The examples provided and direct assistance from mentors was a huge benefit to making a successful presentation."
- Don Noskowiak, LIVEyearbook, 2010 Grand Prize and Information Technology Category Winner
“The Governor's Business Plan Contest is an outstanding opportunity for early stage organizations to showcase their innovative ideas in a highly competitive environment. Becoming a finalist is an attention-grabber enterprise for the new organizations in the eyes of potential investors, potentially resulting in a lucrative and positive partnership."
- Bonnie Reinke, Eso-Technologies Inc., 2009 Grand Prize Winner and Life Sciences Category Winner
“Participating in the BPC and conference was fun and very educational for our team. We all feel strongly that it has helped move our company many steps forward and hope to encourage every entrepreneur in Wisconsin to do so as part of their strategy.”
- Ophir Ben-Yitschak, Scopia, 2009 Information Technology Category Winner
“I can strongly endorse the Governor’s Business Plan Contest. Not only was it a great exercise, it was fun and insightful as well. In addition, the publicity that we received from the contest resulted in us adding several new key customers.”
- Jim Martin, Green 3, 2009 Business Services Category Winner
"The [GBPC] took us through a process of increasingly detailed planning, and the comments we received helped us focus even more. Our presentations sparked interest from venture capital, further refining the business plan. ….Participation in the GBPC will help a young company raise capital in challenging times, and the advice, though free of charge, was priceless."
- Daniel van der Weide, Optametra, 2008 Information Technology Category Winner
"The GPC was an exceptional opportunity to gain invaluable visibility. We were contacted by groups outside of the state because of the press associated with the contest."
- Jeff Williams, Platypus Technologies, 2008 Life Sciences Category Winner
"I entered the Governor's Business Plan Contest for the networking opportunities and exposure to expert advice on starting a business. ….. a number of investors have approached Vector Surgical and demonstrated an interest in investing in the company."
- Janet Phillips, Vector Surgical – 2007 Grand Prize and Life Sciences Category Winner
"The exposure from the contest and the opportunity to present to investors has benefited Falhgreen Solutions, in that it has contributed to us making connections to three groups of investors. My advice to someone considering participating would be that it’s worth the effort. The BPC will help you learn the value of a well-written businesses plan and blueprint how to make one."
- Susanne Kufahl, Fahlgreen Solutions –2007 Business Services Category Winner
"The best part of the Business Plan Contest experience was also the most difficult part and that was writing the business plan. It was a rigorous process. It forced me to think about the most important component parts of Extract Systems’ business plan and weed out all the other stuff."
- David Rasmussen, Extract Systems – 2007 Information Technology Category Winner
"The Governor's Business Contest was a great experience for ProSentinel because it forced us to focus on our business plan in a disciplined way. We will be raising a significant amount of capital, and distilling our message to succinct points addressing market need, market size and how our product meets the needs of patients and physicians gave us a constructive, fun and critical "dry run" months before our real capital needs must be met."
- Ben Lap, ProSentinel and BioSentinel – 2007 third place finisher in the Life Sciences Category
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