"The Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest was a very valuable experience for SixLine Semiconductor and I highly recommend other entrepreneurs take part in this program! Participating in the Business Plan Contest and receiving constructive feedback from the judges helped us improve and further develop our business plan, better positioning SixLine for success in the future. Furthermore, the connections received through participating in this program have been incredibly useful and it's also just inspiring to be part of such a program and get to meet other driven entrepreneurs from around the state!"

Katy Jinkins, SixLine Semiconductor, 2023 1st Place Overall; Advanced Manufacturing Category Winner

"Rapid Radicals' experience participating in the BPC was both rewarding and challenging because the feedback received through the many rounds really helped us critically evaluate some aspects of our business model that formed the foundation of how we make money. Winning the BPC in our second year of competing was a clear turning point in our company's development due to the exposure and credibility we gained. We're grateful to the Tech Council for supporting this unique and important competition!"

Paige Peters, Rapid Radicals, 2022 1st Place Overall; Advanced Manufacturing Category Winner

"The Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest helped us develop the infrastructure for our continued success. It allowed Atrility to improve its business plan, to connect with Wisconsin startups and investors and provided prizes including in-kind support. "

Dr. Nick Von Bergen, Atrility Health Care, 2021 1stFirst Place Overall; Life Sciences Category Winner.

"The Governor’s Business Plan Contest was one of the best programs in which we have participated. eCourt Reporters Inc., continues to benefit greatly with our improved business plan and the guidance from many connections through the process. We highly recommend that entrepreneurs in the state of Wisconsin take part for significant growth in a new business!”"

Karen Renee, eCourt Reporter, 2021 Information Technology Category Winner

"We have participated in the BPC contest over the last several years. The competition is incredibly well organized, the staff immeasurably helpful, and the fairness and transparency of judging compelling. The competition epitomizes the commitment of Wisconsin to developing the small business community. In addition, the prizes offered to competitors are exceedingly useful in terms of both cash and in-kind services. A great competition to enter and participate in during the three stages of evaluation."

Stephen Naylor, ReNeurogen, 2021 Life Sciences Category Second Place Winner

"Participating in the Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest was a pivotal point of growth for our company. It challenged us to think outside the box, honing our ideas into compelling value propositions. The Governor's BPC is an absolute must for every entrepreneur truly serious about growing their business."

Christian Timm, SmartWell, 2021 Advanced Manufacturing Category Winner

"As a woman over 50, I was always curious about how far I could go in the competition. I became a finalist, in the top 3, in the services category. Whatever stage or age you're at, I encourage you to show up and do the work. The rewards are there for those who dare!"

Laura Gallagher, Mathetria, 2021 Business Services Category 3rd Place Winner

"The Wisconsin Business Plan Contest is an excellent way for a founder to get top-notch feedback from highly experienced investors, entrepreneurs, and startup company managers. The process forces you to answer key questions about your business with a timeline to keep your business moving forward. The BPC was invaluable for Pivotal Health to help us identify holes in our plan as we were launching our business and to also get exposure to potential investors. I highly recommend the BPC for any entrepreneur."

Sal Braico, Pivotal Health, 2021 2nd Place Information Technology Category Winner

"MyGenomeRx had a fantastic experience with the BPC with benefits that still impact us today. The initial application process helped us organize our corporate branding materials and develop our business plan and pitch deck. Then we got tremendous exposure to investors and strategic partners during the live pitch competition, propelling us forward not just locally but nationwide. Finally, through write-ups the Tech Council team has helped highlight MyGenomeRx as an emerging player in the field of pharmacogenomics. "

Annette Gilchrist, My GenomeRx, 2020 Information Technology Category Winner

"I enjoyed sharing our story with the Wisconsin entrepreneurial and investment community. The response was quite enthusiastic. It was also great to see the awesome work of other entrepreneurs and to catch up with people that I had not seen in a few years."

Chad Mason, Advanced Ionics, 2020 Advanced Manufacturing Category Winner

"The Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest is something every startup business in Wisconsin, no matter the phase they are in, should be encouraged to enter. The Wisconsin Technology Council creates an incredible environment that allows entrepreneurs, of all levels, to learn about various aspects of growing and making their organizations and products appealing to investors. The participants and peers attending Tech Council and BPC events are approachable and willing to share personal experiences. The open dialogue provides a conduit to networking, valuable information, and diverse perspectives. As a 2020 Diligent Dozen finalist and winner of the first BPC People’s Choice Award, AGent Plus Solutions gained a better understanding of who we are as an organization and as individuals."

Jeffrey Lord, AGent Plus Solutions, 2020 Advanced Manufacturing Category 2nd Place Winner

"The Governor’s Business Plan Contest really helped us hone our message. The Tech Council staff worked with us to focus on what was important to investors. We came away with much sharper communication that has proven to be successful in the marketplace."

Mark Schweiger, Simply Solutions, 2019 Advanced Manufacturing Category Winner

"The Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Competition (BPC) is an impressive and well-organized event that brings the best that Wisconsin has to offer in a single forum. It provides a state-wide platform for emerging startups to refine and showcase their company. The contest has helped DataChat think about the next big steps that we must take. It has also provide valuable feedback and support during the most formative stage of our company (the first year), which I think will be crucial to the company."

Jignesh Patel, DataChat, 2018 Information Technology Category Winner

"The Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Competition is one of the greatest resources available for growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering economic growth in this state! The feedback, resources, networking, and prizes made available to entrepreneurs throughout the competition are unrivaled and helped shape the company we are today. A company we plan to grow right here in Wisconsin, adding fuel to local job growth and economic development!"

Lorne Forsythe, Shockray™ Self-Defense, 2018 Advanced Manufacturing Category Winner

“Participating in The Governor’s Business Plan Contest meant that we had the certification theme from the Governor endorsing the competition and our winning, which gave us the credibility that was needed to go forward to these prominent organizations, the cities, the counties and be a trusted tool that they can use.”

Nick Mastronardi, Polco, 2016 Information Technology Category Winner

"I think the Governor’s Business Plan Contest really launched us. The win in that competition was a result of assistance and mentorship from people across Wisconsin… the accumulation of a lot of help. Since then, we have gotten incredible attention. That win sent us on a course to succeed."

Katie Brenner, bluDiagnostics, 2015 Grand Prize and Life Sciences Winner

“Moving through all four rounds of the 2012 Governor’s Business Plan Contest, we built a winning business plan and started a new company in Madison – Rowheels, Inc. The well-orchestrated BPC process facilitated by Wisconsin Technology Council kept us on track to conduct research, uncover obstacles and gain confidence moving forward through our engineering prototype design and financial modeling phases. By Nov. 2012, Rowheels is creating jobs, is certified as a Qualified New Business Venture under Wisconsin’s Act 255 Early Stage Business Investment Program and is raising working capital for manufacturing.”

Rimas Buinevicius and Jan Moen, co-founders, 2012 Grand Prize and Advanced Manufacturing Winner

“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 startup funds from them and got great PR from the event.”

The late Hans W. Sollinger, Insulete, 2011 Life Sciences Category Winner

“The Governor’s Business Plan Competition award has given WiRover a great boost in terms of both visibility and performance. Since winning this competition, WiRover has significantly increased its revenue, is forming alliances with new partners, and has also received a SBIR grant… The exercise of going through the competition alone was quite instrumental in streamlining WiRover’s emerging business strategy and planning.”

Suman Banerjee, WiRover, 2011 Grand Prize and Information Technology 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

“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

“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

“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

“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

"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 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

“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