"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

“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 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

“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 [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

“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.”

Hans W. Sollinger, Insulete, 2011 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 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 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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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 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