Eligibility

Submit your idea!

Deadline: January 31, 2019, 5 p.m.
Eligibility Requirements

All intellectual property used in business ideas and/or plans must be owned or controlled by the BPC entrant. For purposes of the BPC, ‘controlled’ is defined as patented, patent-pending or licensed.

 Individuals, teams or companies are eligible if they:

  • Are Wisconsin residents 18 years old or older, and who have a business plan that employs or leverages technology. Examples of technology include an eCommerce platform for a traditional business, a mobile application, a life sciences innovation or an advanced manufacturing process or system.
  • Are based in Wisconsin and/or plan to locate a business in Wisconsin.
  • Have received less than $25,000 in private equity funding for an idea in its current form. For the purposes of this contest, private equity funding includes ONLY angel or venture funding. It does not include SBIR/STTR, bank loans, initial accelerator investment or funding from friends or family who are not angels or venture capitalists.

Can I enter more than one idea?

There is no upper limit to the number of unique ideas or plans a contestant may submit. For example, one contestant may submit an idea for a new paper pulping process to the Advanced Manufacturing category and an idea for new paper-making software to the Information Technology category. The same contestant may have more than one idea advance though the competition in one or more categories. Be careful, however: Multiple entries also mean divided time.

 

Contestants need to create a new account for each entry. Each account will require a different email address. If you do not have more than one email address and would like to submit multiple entries, please contact the contest administrator at info@govsbizplancontest.com.

Can I enter this year’s contest if I competed last year?

Past BPC participants are eligible to enter the contest again. Please note:

 

  • Previous category winners are NOT eligible to compete with the same plan.
  • Second and third place winners are eligible to compete with the same plan if they still meet the equity requirement.

Why Enter?

  • BPC judges, mentors and other resources will help you gain the basic skills necessary to create a business plan. You’ll also have many networking opportunities with mentors and potential angel investors, government resources and other advisors.
  • The BPC is tailored to and targeted at entrepreneurs with limited independent business experience. Judges look for important factors such as innovation, relevant expertise, competitive advantage and market opportunity.
  • It is free to enter.