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 a Grand Prize worth $50,000. Since its inception in 2004, more than 1,300 entries have been received and nearly $850,000 in cash and in-kind prizes has been awarded.  In 2008, 17 finalists won cash 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 $11 million in private equity, such as angel and venture capital.

Competition Timeline

Eligibility Requirements & Submission Guidelines

Governor´s Welcome

Meet Past BPC Winners

Ownership, Confidentiality & Security

Sponsors of the 2009 contest so far:
Aberdean Consulting LLC
American Transmission Co.
Associated Bank
The Boldt Company
CG Schmidt Co.
EarthIT
Fitchburg Technology Campus
Foley & Lardner LLP
The Gialamas Company
Johnson Block CPAs
Journal Interactive, the digital media division of Journal Communications, Inc.
Kollath & Associates, CPA LLC
Loughrin Accounting & Tax Service
Marshfield Clinic Applied Sciences
Madison Gas & Electric Co.
McAllen TEC Campus
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Midwest Airlines
Murphy Desmond, S.C.
Quarles & Brady LLP
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
Ruedebusch Development & Construction
Smith & Gesteland LLP
State of Wisconsin Investment Board
SuperGroup Outdoor Corp.
TDS Telecom
University Research Park
Wisconsin Department of Commerce
WisBusiness.com
Wisconsin Angel Network
Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.