About the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest

The mission of the Governor’s Business Plan Contest is to encourage entrepreneurs in the creation, startup and early-growth stages of high-tech businesses in Wisconsin. Finalists will share in at least $100,000 in seed capital and in-kind services that will help them launch their businesses. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 2,300 entries have been received and about $1.5 million in cash and services (such as legal, accounting, office space and marketing) have 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 tens of millions of dollars in private equity, such as angel and venture capital.

This year the Governor’s Business Plan Contest will partner with the Cleantech Open 2013 Accelerator and Competition! Any “cleantech” entries that meet the criteria for the accelerator program and advance to the top 25 in the Governor’s Business Plan Contest will have their application fee waived for the 2013 Accelerator and Competition. These entries will also receive a discounted ticket to the Midwest Innovation Summit in October. “Cleantech” entries reaching the Governor’s Business Plan Contest’s “Diligent Dozen” round will gain a full tuition scholarship for the 2013 Accelerator and Competition, which includes both the application and participation fees.